PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Valencia
Pilot
updated Jul 2017- Valencia pilot boarding place Pilot boards39°25.2′N 000°15.9′W
Compulsory for all vessels over 500gt, and available 24 hours. Call: Valencia Practicos VHF Ch 14 one hour prior to arrival and when 3nm from the port entrance to confirm Pilot boarding. The pilot boards approx 1.5nm off the harbour entrance in position 39°24.95'N 000°16. 89'W, from a black launch with the letter "P" in white on the sides. Communication can be established with the pilot launch by radio.
Departing vessels should request Pilots at least 10mins prior to departure.
Key data
updated Jun 2022Size limits
LOA 400m, beam 61.51m, draught 16.0m, 228,406DWT
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
0.5m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSC Container Terminal | 16.00 m | 400 m | 2 |
| Muelle de la Xita North | — | 214 m | 1 |
| Terminal de Pasajeros Y Cruceros Turisticos (Cruise Terminal) | — | 366 m | 3 |
| Valencia Terminal Europa (East Dock) | 16.00 m | 238 m | 2 |
| CSP Iberian Valencia Teminal | 15.50 m | 400 m | 3 |
| APM Terminals Valencia | 15.40 m | 368 m | 6 |
| Cemex (Muelle Turia) | — | 88 m | 1 |
| Temagra | 14.00 m | 229 m | 1 |
| Tepsa Terminal (Muelle de la Xita) | 14.00 m | 200 m | 2 |
| Depositos de materias grasas Industriales, SA Valencia (DEMAGRISA) | — | 161 m | 1 |
| CLH | 10.60 m | 212 m | 1 |
| Compania Acciona - Transmediterranea. | 10.50 m | 293 m | 3 |
| Turia Terminal | — | 229 m | 1 |
| Grandi Navi Veloci, S.P.A. | — | 152 m | 1 |
| Balearia Ferries (Muelle Turia) | 6.90 m | 196 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jun 2022Approach
From a position NE of Caserio El Saler, the track leads NW for approx 3nm passing between the head of Muelle Dique del Este to Starboard and the N elbow of the S breakwater of Muelle Prince Felipe, both marked by port and starboard lit buoys.
Entrance to the old port faces SE and has a width of 297m, dredged to 16.0m. There are two Yellow Special Markers located along the port side of the channel entrance, spaced at 635m apart, both having the same light sequence (Fl(4).Y.11s).
The entrance to the new outer harbour is 0.8nm NE end of the head of Muelle Dique del Este and is approx 550m wide between Contradique Norte and Dique Este Exterior. Red and Green lights are exhibited from the ends of each these, marking the start of the entrance.
Anchorages
Anchorage may be obtained in good holding ground, 1nm SE of the light structure at the head of Dique del Norte, the anchorage is exposed to E winds. Vessels are required to keep clear of the entrance channel. There are designated anchorages for non dangerous and dangerous cargo vessels, centred 2nm SSE and 3nm SE from the harbour entrance.
Prohibited anchorage: Submarine cables are laid E and ENE from the coast abreast the root of Muelle de Levante. Anchoring and fishing are prohibited between 0.5nm and 3nm N of Dique del Norte.
Restrictions
Submarine pipeline: A sewage outfall, the seaward end of which is 'Y' shaped, extends 2.25nm ESE from the N side of the mouth to the Rio Turia (39°25.6'N 000°19.8'W).
Fish Haven: A fish haven extends into the S approaches to Valencia from Gola El Perellonet (39°19'N 000°17'W).
Wreck: A dangerous wreck lies 0.450nm SE of Nuevo Dique del Este Elbow Light (39°27'N 000°18'W), 0.175nm E of the breakwater.
Tugs
There are 11 tugs available, up to 4,200hp.
Charts and publications
BA 562, 518. Admiralty Pilot NP45, NP286(3).
US 52085. US Sailing Directions 131 (Western Mediterranean).
Reporting before arrival
updated Oct 2013ETA and pre-arrival notices
Notice of ETA should be sent at least 24 hours in advance for vessels carrying dangerous or polluting goods; otherwise to the vessel's agent in good time.
Documents
If vessels carry over 6kg of tobacco per person, the excess is to be declared in a separate manifest, which must be certified by the Spanish Consul at the last port, otherwise vessels are exposed to heavy fines.
Health
If the vessel proceeds directly to the berth, pratique can be obtained immediately after berthing, otherwise at anchorage on arrival.
If any vessel has a contagious illness onboard, the Master should advise the health authorities by radio. They will examine patients upon arrival to enable the vessel to be granted free pratique.
Customs and immigration
There is a Customs House located at Aduana Quay.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Paris 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: Puertos del Estado (Ministerio de Fomento)
Title: Coordinador de Proteccion Portuaria
Address: Av de la Marina, 3, 15001, A Coruna, Spain
Tel: +34 98 121 9618
Fax: +34 98 121 9607
Mob: +34 630 957875
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Jun 2022Repairs
Full range of repairs available. Shipyard in Daresene de Levante. There is a 50t travel-lift in the NW corner of the yacht harbour for smaller vessels.
Dry docks
Floating dock: Length 155m, width 24.6m, lifting capacity 8,000t, moored on the W side of Darsena de Levante close S of the shipyard.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at berths by barge.
Bunkering: Available by pipeline at the Turia Berths, elsewhere by road tanker and barge.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Hospital Clínic Universitari, 10.6km.
Crew change
Possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Valencia Airport, 22.8km.
Nearest railway: Estación de Valencia Joaquin Sorolla Adif, 11.2km.
Working hours
Normally 0800-1700hrs, overtime by arrangement. Container terminal throughout 24 hours. Intensive shifts from 0800-1400hrs, 1400-2000hrs, 2000-0200hrs, 0200-0800hrs.
About Valencia
updated May 2026Where it is
Valencia is situated on the eastern Mediterranean coast of Spain, 350km from Madrid.
The port
The port mainly handles containers, dry bulk, general cargo, vehicles, passengers and liquid cargo.
Traffic
Approx 80,100,000t of cargo, 5,700,00TEU, 1,660,000 passengers and 7,200 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Valencia
Where does the pilot board at Valencia?
The pilot boards at Valencia pilot boarding place, 39°25.2′N 000°15.9′W.
What time zone is Valencia in?
Local time at Valencia is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Valencia?
The deepest berth listed is at MSC Container Terminal: 16.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Valencia?
1025.
Which load line zone is Valencia in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Valencia?
Port State Control at Valencia: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Valencia?
The UN/LOCODE of Valencia is ESVLC.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Valencia 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.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.