Tocopilla

1. Tocopilla pilot boarding areas Pilot boards22°04.8′S 070°13.1′W

Size limits

Harbour: Draught 14.6m, LOA 291.98m, beam 38.0m, 92,828DWT.

Offshore: Draught 14.0m, LOA 200m, 45,000DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Mean spring range 0.8m; mean neap range 0.5m.

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

Approach

Approach and entry: The port is approached through Bahia Algodanales and entered between Punta Algodanales (22°05'S 070°14'W), and Roca Blanca 1.25nm NE.

Directions: From a position W of Punta Algodonales (22°05.5'S 070°12.9'W), the track leads NE, passing (with positions relative to Punta Algodonales):

NW of Punta Algodonales. A shoal with a depth of 18.8m over it lies 0.6nm NW. Two shoals with depths of 16.4m and 10.0m lie 0.25nm and 0.17nm NNW respectively.

Then the track leads to the pilot boarding position.

Restrictions

Restricted area: A restricted area, in which anchoring and fishing are prohibited, extends 0.1nm from an outfall pipe extending approximately 0.7nm NW from the shore 1.25nm NE of Punta Algodonales. The pipe is marked by two lightbuoys (special) and a number of buoys.

Tugs

There are 2 tugs available.

Charts and publications

BA 4224, 4219, 4223, 4220. Chilean 105. Admiralty Pilot NP7, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA should be sent to the vessel's agent 5 days prior to arrival. Additional ETA's should then be sent on a daily basis at 0800hrs.

The ETA message must confirm that all cargo gear is in proper working order, if any cargo shifting is expected, if there is dangerous cargo onboard for discharge and/or transit and arrival draught.

Communications

Radio: Messages can be sent via Playa Ancha Radio (callsign "CBV") Valparaiso which listens throughout 24 hours on 500kHz and works on 8522kHz and 16663kHz. Call Port Control on 500kHz or 2182kHz.

VHF: Port: Ch 16, 09, 14.

Pilots: Ch 16, 06.

Agent: Ch 16.

Standard messages

Masters must report their position, course, speed and ETA next port as soon as they enter Chilean waters (200nm) to Directemar Valparaiso by cable. Thereafter, the same information is to be sent daily, whilst in Chilean waters, at 0800hrs and 2000hrs. Reports to be sent via Playa Ancha Radio.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered upon arrival at the anchorage.

Documents

Note: SY = Sanitary (Health) authorities, AG = Agriculture department, IM = Immigration, PC = Port Captain, CU = Customs.

The Port Captain will also wish to see the vessel's certificates and Immigration Officer will want to see all passports.

Customs and immigration

Customs: Crew's own personal possessions must tally with those listed on the Crew Personal Effects List. If there is a discrepancy, penalties range from confiscation of the goods not declared to imprisonment, depending on the seriousness of the misdemeanour.

Immigration: Crew List is checked against passports. There are no restrictions on crew and passengers in transit proceeding ashore provided they are in possession of a landing card. Some foreign nationalities require an entry visa if embarking or disembarking.

Flags

Vessels entering Chilean waters must at all times fly the Chilean flag at the foremast and also whilst in port. Fines for not complying may be imposed by the authorities.

Notices and regulations

It is expressly forbidden to throw overboard any ballast, rubbish or waste or to spill petroleum whilst in Chilean waters and harbours.

Garbage is not allowed to be disposed of ashore.

Vessels must comply with the use of rat guards, safety nets and gangway railings.

Any repairs to the main engine must be authorised.

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: Chilean Maritime Authority.

Contact: Director of Maritime Safety, Security and Operations.

Address: Subida Cementerio No 300, Playa Ancha, Valparaiso, Chile.

Tel: +56 32 208637.

Fax: +56 32 208662.

Mob: +56 9 939 3937.

Email: [email protected]

Telex: 330607 ANGEL CK

Website: http://www.directemar.cl

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

Repairs

Repairs are possible. Slipway available.

Dry docks

No drydock facilities available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkers: Diesel and LMFO available at 40m³/hr and 30m³/hr respectively.

Medical

In Tocopilla.

Transport

Nearest airport: Tocopilla.

Airport facilities: Domestic service.

Nearest railway: Tocopilla.

Working hours

Normally 0700-1100hrs, 1300-1700hrs and 1700-2400hrs.

Where it is

Tocopilla is situated midway between Iquique and Antofagasta, in a bay 3nm wide between Point Algodonales to the S and Point Ana to the N.

The port

The main activity of the port is loading nitrates, either in bulk by a mechanised loading arm, or bagged from lighters that call at the offshore buoys (Anglo Buoy No. 01 & No. 02). The Electroandina Maritime Terminal pier discharges coal from the power plant and provides bunkering services.

Traffic

Approx. 3,400,000t of cargo handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Tocopilla?

The pilot boards at Tocopilla pilot boarding areas, 22°04.8′S 070°13.1′W.

What time zone is Tocopilla in?

Local time at Tocopilla is UTC−3. Back to UTC−4 on 4 Apr 2027. Clocks go to UTC−3 on 5 Sep 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Tocopilla?

The deepest berth listed is at Electroandina Maritime Terminal: 14.60 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Tocopilla?

1025.

Which load line zone is Tocopilla in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Tocopilla?

Port State Control at Tocopilla: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Tocopilla?

The UN/LOCODE of Tocopilla is CLTOQ.

What crews who called at Tocopilla say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

Read and add tips for Tocopilla →