Topolobampo

1. Topolobampo pilot boarding place Pilot boards25°30.6′N 109°12.8′W

Size limits

LOA 246.84m, beam 42.0m, draught 12.15m, 94,191DWT.

Water density

1027.

Load line zone

North Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Mar 1 to Jun 30 and Nov 1 to Nov 30, Summer Jul 1 to Oct 31 and Dec 1 to Feb 28/29.

Tides

Mean range (spring) 1.0m (neap) 0.3m.

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

Approach

Entry channel: The entry channel has a length of 22.2km, width 200m and a depth of 12.0m.

Turning basin: The turning basin, situated in front of the container dock, has a diameter of 450m and depth of 12.0m.

SE approach: From a position with San Ignacio Farallon (25°26'N 109°25'W) bearing 327°, distant 10nm, a recommended approach is on a heading of 030°, for a distance of approx 13nm, to the vicinity of the Fairway Lightbuoy.

From the vicinity of the Fairway Lightbuoy (25°30.4'N 109°13.3'W) a narrow channel, varying in width from approx 0.1nm on the bar to approx 0.5nm in the port approaches, is marked by 3 sets of leading lights and by lightbuoys. It leads for approx 10nm, through Bahia de Topolobampo to Bahia San Carlos. Depths in the channel inside the bar increase gradually and there is ample depth as far as Topolobampo for any vessel which can cross the bar. Depths are irregular and depths of 18-31m can be found in places.

Then the fairway leads approx 2.5nm NNE into Bahia San Carlos.

Anchorages

An anchorage area is available 1nm SW of the fairway buoy. There is a good anchorage outside the shoal with depth of 20.0m and two inside of the shoals, sheltered from all winds, with depth of 13.0m, sand. The holding ground is reported to be good but shipping passes close by and swinging room is limited.

Restrictions

Berthing/unberthing is done in daylight only and at HW if the ship is at full draught.

Tugs

Available.

Charts and publications

Secretaria de Marina Mexican Chart Nos 300, 333. BA Chart 1017. Admiralty Pilot NP8, NP286(7). US Chart 21014. US Sailing Directions 153 (West Coasts of Mexico and Gulf of California).

Notice of readiness

Tendered in accordance with the Charter Party.

Documents

Pilot Station email: [email protected]

Port Authority email: [email protected]

Health

Pratique will be granted by the Port Authorities once they arrive onboard the vessel. Free pratique can be applied for by radio.

Vessels arriving from South America have to be fumigated.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Allowances for officers and crew do not exist for personal possessions which must be kept onboard. Penalties for non-compliance will result in confiscation of the goods and fines.

Immigration: Formalities depend on the nationality of the crew. Nationalities that are not restricted in Mexico can proceed ashore provided they have a shore pass which can be issued by the port agent upon request of the Master. Joining and off signing crew members have to be declared 24 hours prior to the time and date of arrival/departure.

Vessel is cleared on arrival and departure.

Notices and regulations

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

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

Minor repairs available at repair berth; length 15m, depth 2.0m.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available by pipeline at 80tpd.

Bunkering: Diesel available by road tanker. Fuel oil at Guaymas, 350km.

Stores: Available

Medical

Nearest hospital: General Hospital of Los Mochis, 22.5km.

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Los Mochis International Airport, 16.1km.

Nearest railway: Tren Chepe Express (Estación Los Mochis), 25.9km.

Working hours

Loading/unloading 24 hours. Other services normally 0800-1500hrs. Overtime possible.

Where it is

Topolobampo is situated in the state of Sinaloa, on the W coast of Mexico, approx 365km NW of Mazatlan.

The port

The port is located in an extensive fertile zone which produces half of Mexico's agricultural output, the principal export is agricultural and cattle products. The port consists of private terminals for handling various types of cargo, including general, containers, oil products, LPG and ammonia.

Traffic

Approx 5,000,000t of cargo, 500,000t of iron ore, 300,000t of grain, 900 vessels and 120,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Topolobampo?

The pilot boards at Topolobampo pilot boarding place, 25°30.6′N 109°12.8′W.

What time zone is Topolobampo in?

Local time at Topolobampo is UTC−7. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Topolobampo?

The deepest berth listed is at PEMEX: 12.15 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Topolobampo?

1027.

Which load line zone is Topolobampo in?

North Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Mar 1 to Jun 30 and Nov 1 to Nov 30, Summer Jul 1 to Oct 31 and Dec 1 to Feb 28/29.

Who carries out Port State Control at Topolobampo?

Port State Control at Topolobampo: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Topolobampo?

The UN/LOCODE of Topolobampo is MXTPB.

What crews who called at Topolobampo 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.

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