PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Vilagarcia de Arousa
Pilot
updated Jan 2015- Vilagarcia pilot boarding place Pilot boards42°35.5′N 008°50.0′W
Compulsory for vessels over 500GT, entering, leaving, berthing, unberthing or shifting.
Vessels bound for Vilagarcia are normally boarded 3.2km off harbour breakwater (42°35.45'N 008°50.00'W), (compulsory). Pilot may be obtained at 42°31.50'N 008°57.15'W, (compulsory for tankers, voluntary for other vessels), if previous arrangements have been made (1.7nm off Rua Island). Pilots may be contacted on VHF Ch 12.
For shifting or departure, notification at least 1 hour in advance is required. Berths are requested through vessel's agent and arranged with the harbour authorities in advance. Linesmen and boatmen are arranged through ship's agent.
Key data
updated Mar 2020Size limits
Max draught 12.5m, LOA 250m, beam 32.2m, 82,004DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
MHWS 4.0m; MHWN 2.7m; MLWN 1.5m; MLWS 0.2m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoridad Portuaria de Vilagarcia de Arousa Terminal | 12.50 m | 250 m | 10 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Oct 2019Approach
Harbour approached through a dredged channel with depth of 9m and 200m width. Turning basin area with a diameter of 225m is dredged to a depth of 7m.
Port limits
Zone 1: Punta Sinas to Punta Chazo, inwards.
Zone 2: Punta Brisan to Punta Con De Aguieira, to limits of Zone 3.
Anchorages
N of the breakwater but clear of the dredged channel in depths of approx 5.0m. Small vessels can anchor E of the breakwater in depths of approx 4.0m, noting that shellfish beds are established close off the breakwater.
Anchorage surface area of 2,250ha. Outer harbour 4,395ha.
Tugs
Compulsory for vessels of 90m LOA or more.
There are 2 tugs, "Doctor Pintado" (1562hp) and "Arucas" (1800hp) available. Additional tugs may be ordered from Vigo when required. Ship's lines normally used.
Charts and publications
BA 1755, 1762, 1764, 3633. Admiralty Pilot NP67, NP286(1).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jan 2015ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels bound for any port in Arousa Bay, must report ETA through vessel's local agent 12 hours in advance of arrival specifying if GMT or local time used.
Communications
Finisterre Radio, MF 2182kHz.
VHF: Vilagarcia Pilots or Arousa Pilots , Ch 16, 12. Available 24 hours.
Health
Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates issued.
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 Nov 2019Repairs
Available, minor repairs only.
Dry docks
None.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available by road tanker only.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Mutua Universal Vilagaria de Arousa Medical Centre, 1.6km.
Hospital do Salnes, 5km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Santiago, 50km.
Nearest railway: Vilagarcia, 1km.
Working hours
Normal working hours for general cargo 0830-1800hrs (break 1230-1400hrs).
Normal working hours for frozen cargoes (2 shifts) 0830-1400hrs and 1430-2030hrs.
Advise ETA before 1700hrs in order to commence work at 0830hrs next day.
About Vilagarcia de Arousa
updated Apr 2020Where it is
Vilagarcia de Arousa is situated on the NW Atlantic coast of Spain.
The port
The port is protected by breakwater on its W side and several islets on its N side. The harbour has facilities for tanker, bulk carriers, general cargo, Ro-Ro, cruise and container vessels.
Traffic
Approx 1,300,000t of cargo, 41,000TEU, 300 vessels and 890 passengers handled annually.
Questions about Vilagarcia de Arousa
Where does the pilot board at Vilagarcia de Arousa?
The pilot boards at Vilagarcia pilot boarding place, 42°35.5′N 008°50.0′W.
What time zone is Vilagarcia de Arousa in?
Local time at Vilagarcia de Arousa 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 Vilagarcia de Arousa?
The deepest berth listed is at Autoridad Portuaria de Vilagarcia de Arousa Terminal: 12.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Vilagarcia de Arousa?
1025.
Which load line zone is Vilagarcia de Arousa in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Vilagarcia de Arousa?
Port State Control at Vilagarcia de Arousa: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Vilagarcia de Arousa?
The UN/LOCODE of Vilagarcia de Arousa is ESVIL.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Vilagarcia de Arousa 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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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.