Tampico

1. Tampico pilot boarding place Pilot boards22°16.3′N 097°44.8′W

Size limits

LOA 229.16m, beam 32.26m, draught 10.67m, 74,875DWT.

Water density

1000 (during rainy season) to 1005.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Maximum tidal range 0.61m but tidal, meteorological and seasonal factors acting individually or in combination, may give rise to abnormally high or low water levels, especially during the winter season, November to March.

The water level and current in the river are much affected by floods during the rainy season (Jun-Sep) and to a lesser degree by the tides. For several months in the year the rate rarely exceeds 3kts. However, during summer freshets rates of 8.5kts between the breakwaters and 6kts off the town have been observed. The coastal current is varied both in direction and rate and can reach 2 to 2.5kts across the breakwater heads.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

The port is approached from the ENE and entered along a leading line between breakwaters at the mouth of the Rio Panuco.

Entrance channel: From a position close N of the fairway lightbuoy (safe water), (22°16.4'N 097°43.9'W), the alignment 256.5° of Entrance Leading Lights leads WSW for a distance of 3.5nm, min depth 12.1m, passing between breakwater head lights. The entrance is 300m wide with a 100m width dredged channel, depth 11.0m.

River channel: The channel leads generally SW and S for approx 4nm, passing under a road bridge, Puente Tampico (22°13.6'N 097°50.2'W), with a vertical clearance of 47.9m, then through W to WNW when approaching the second set of leading lights.

The alignment 110.5° astern, of Canal de Pueblo Viejo Leading Lights leads WNW for 1.25nm, passing SSW of the berths at Fiscal Quay and the Naval Dockyard.

The river is marked by a number of navigational lights positioned mainly on the S bank of the river.

The min depth of the channel is 10.06m from Km0 to Km14, then 9.15m to Km19.

Caution: Depths over the bar are liable to considerable change as a result of gales and the effect of floods during the rainy season which brings down deposits of silt; they are maintained by constant dredging. The latest depths are passed to ships' agents each week.

Port limits

Port limits are from a position 1nm to seaward of the mouth of Rio Panuco up river for a distance of 16nm.

Anchorages

Temporary anchorage may be obtained 3.5nm E of La Barra Light (22°15.8'N 097°47.7'W), close S of the charted prohibited anchorage. The holding ground is good, but in winter a vessel that cannot cross the bar must leave directly a N'ly wind is forecast, as the anchorage is exposed to the full force of the wind and sea.

Anchorage for small vessels may be found in the greater part of the harbour. The bottom is soft mud.

Submarine pipelines and cables restrict the anchorage space available. Their positions are indicated on the chart and marked by beacons.

Permission from the Port Captain must be obtained before vessels anchor in the river.

Restrictions

The port operates throughout 24 hours, weather permitting, for all except vessels of LOA 110m and over, bound for certain terminals, due to lack of light signals in the navigation channel.

Dredged depths: Navigation channel from entrance to oil terminal: Depth 11.5m.

Navigation channel from oil terminal to Free Zone: Depth 10.0m.

Navigation channel from Free Zone to cement wharf: Depth 8.8m.

Maximum draught for vessels entering or sailing from "Zona Franca" and "Muelle El Golfo":

Vessels up to 160m length, 9.1m FW forward and aft.

Vessels up to 180m length, 8.8m FW forward and 9.1m FW aft.

Vessels up to 200m length, 7.9m FW forward and 8.2m FW aft.

Vertical clearance: A fixed road bridge, Puente Tampico (22°13.6'N 97°50.2'W) has a vertical clearance of 47.9m.

Vessels bound for terminals before the bridge are unaffected.

Tugs

Compulsory for vessels of 2,500GT and over. There are 5 tugs available 24 hours every day with maximum 4,352bhp.

Charts and publications

BA 363, 364, 1307, 376, 3768. Mexican Chart No 722. Admiralty Pilot NP69A, NP286(7).

Communications

Tampico coastal radio station monitors, 2182kHz.

VHF: Tampico Radio: Ch 12, 14, 26, 27, listens 24 hours.

Pilots: Tel: +52(01)833 2124749, 2141728. Fax: +52(01)833 2127305, Email: [email protected]. Pilot office is open 08:00 to 20:00 hours during Mondays to Fridays and 09:00 to 13:00 hours on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Port Authority: Tel: +52(01)833 2124660. Fax:+52(01)833 2125744. Email: [email protected].

Notice of readiness

Tendered in accordance with the Charter Party.

Health

Pratique is granted on arrival on presentation of documents. Radio pratique is not available. The Master must inform the ship's agent prior to arrival of any cases of disease or fever onboard.

The quarantine station and jetty is at La Barra, close S of La Barra Light.

Customs and immigration

No allowances can be taken ashore, only reasonable amounts of tobacco and spirits are allowed to be taken out of bond, to be kept onboard for use by crew and passengers.

At the port there is an Immigration Office, where the repatriation of any crew member can be negotiated. The account will be for the ships agent.

Notices and regulations

Cargo documents have to be in the port in order for the vessel to be programmed.

Mooring ropes/hawsers must be fitted with rat guards and vessels kept off the wharves with fendering.

Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Director General for Merchant Navy/Office of National Protection of Maritime Ports.

Position: Director General for Merchant Navy

Address: Avenida Nuevo Leon 210, 3rd Floor, Colonia Hipodromo Condesa, 06100 Piso Deleg. Cuauhtemoc, Mexico, D.F.

Tel: +52 55 5265 3216.

Fax: +52 55 5265 3215.

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: http://www.sct.gob.mx/e-mar

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Most types of repairs are undertaken.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh Water: Available at Terminal Maritima Madero.

Bunkering: Available from Terminal Maritima Madero, to be ordered and paid for one week in advance, contact Naval Mexicana.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Tampico General Hospital Dr. Carlos Canseco, 5.6km.

Transport

Nearest airport: General Francisco Javier Mina International Airport, 10.3km.

Nearest railway: Antigua Estación de Ferrocarril Tampico, 180m.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1200hrs, 1300-1600hrs, 1600-2000hrs, 2100-2359hrs, 0100-0600hrs, 7 Days a week.

Where it is

Tampico situated in SE of Tamaulipas State, on the Gulf coast of Mexico.

The port

Tampico is one of the main ports on the E coast of Mexico, serving as an entry and exit for mining, petrochemical, steel, wood and other industrial products. The port has numerous public and private terminals as well as ten yards dedicated to the construction of marine drilling platforms.

Traffic

Approx. 8,000,000t of cargo, 17,000TEU and 800 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Tampico?

The pilot boards at Tampico pilot boarding place, 22°16.3′N 097°44.8′W.

What time zone is Tampico in?

Local time at Tampico is UTC−6. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Tampico?

The deepest berth listed is at Terminal Maritima Madero: 10.67 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Tampico?

1000 (during rainy season) to 1005.

Which load line zone is Tampico in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Tampico?

Port State Control at Tampico: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Tampico?

The UN/LOCODE of Tampico is MXTAM.

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