Bilbao (ESBIO)

Bilbao docks are over 18km in length stretching along the Nervion River out to the outer breakwater (Pte Lucero). Principle imports are crude oil, LNG, iron ore, pyrites, scrap iron, pig-iron, coal, grain and soya beans; principal exports petroleum, iron and steel products.

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Bilbao is situated on the N Spanish coast with the port extending 10.7nm up the River Nervion.

LOA 339.5m, draught 17m, beam 60m, 318,744DWT

Approx 30,000,000t of cargo, 500,000TEU, 2,400 vessels and 46,000 passengers handled annually.

Vessels that are requested to wait, due to berthing schedule or tide level when bound up river, will receive instructions from the pilot to anchor off port limits. Masters will be informed by pilots of the estimated berthing time and any other berthing particulars. Should the need for anchoring arise, vessels will be requested to anchor under the control of pilots in the following anchorage areas: ..... Area A: Bearing 270° from Punta Lucero breakwater green light 1.5nm. Latitude Longitude Depth (m) 43°23.2'N 003°07.8'W 40 43°22.4'N 003°07.8'W 40 43°22.4'N 003°06.8'W 40 43°22.7'N 003°06.3'W 40 43°23.2'N 003°06.3'W 40 Area B: Bearing 310° from Punta Lucero breakwater green light 1.5nm. Latitude Longitude Depth (m) 43°23.9'N 003°06.8'W 44 43°23.7'N 003°07.2'W 44 43°23.9'N 003°07.2'W 44 43°23.9'N 003°05.8'W 44 43°23.9'N 003°06.1'W 44 43°23.9'N 003°06.1'W 44 Area C: Bearing 015° from Punta Lucero breakwater green light 1.5nm (for dangerous goods). Latitude Longitude Depth (m) 43°24.4'N 003°04.5'W - 43°23.4'N 003°04.0'W 37 43°23.5'N 003°04.8'W 37 43°24.1'N 003°05.2'W 37 Area D: Bearing 265° from Punta Lucero breakwater green light 2.5nm (for small vessels). Latitude Longitude Depth (m) 43°22.7'N 003°10.9'W 30 43°22.7'N 003°07.8'W 30 43°21.9'N 003°07.8'W 30 43°21.9'N 003°10.0'W 30 Area E: Bearing 310° from Punta Lucero breakwater green light 2.5nm. Latitude Longitude Depth (m) 43°24.4'N 003°08.5'W - 43°24.4'N 003°06.8'W 55 43°23.9'N 003°06.8'W 55 43°23.7'N 003°07.2'W 55 43°23.7'N 003°08.5'W 55 Prohibited anchorage: Anchoring is prohibited in the manoeuvring area between Dique de Zierbena and Contradique de Santurtzi. Crude, LNG and oil product carriers should also keep in close communication with the Refinery Terminal Superintendent about their positioning and particulars. In general, ships that are requested to wait due to berthing schedule or tide level when bound up river, may receive instructions from pilot to anchor inside the port area.

It is recommended to approach the entrance from the NW, with the advice of pilot on VHF Ch 12. Bilbao port entrance has a breakwater (Dique Punta Lucero) of 2,498m to the W and a lit concrete block, at the end of an old designed breakwater to the E of the entrance. The port entrance has a width of 500m and a depth of 30m (LWS). Oil tankers and LNG vessels pass the Punto Lucero Breakwater and proceed directly towards the berths. All other vessels should also enter between the breakwater and concrete block. Once in the entrance, vessels have to make course 120° for approx 2.2nm in order to clear the corner of the new breakwater and then alter course to 145° for approx 1nm to be in front of the Control Tower and proceed to Santurtzi docks or commence the river passage. The fairway is maintained at the following minimum depths by constant dredging (positions given by distance from the entrance): ..... From the entrance to Axpe Basin 7.0m Axpe Basin to Zorroza Wharf (2nm). 6.0m The depths are subject to siltation; for latest depth information contact Port Authority. Traffic Service and Regional Rescue Co-ordination Centre: Bilbao Traffic (MRCC BILBAO): Three hours before arrival it is compulsory for a vessel to call Bilbao Traffic on VHF Ch 16 and to keep "dual watch" on Ch 16 and 10, requesting information about by-law procedure particulars and weather information service: Even hours (UTC) + 33 minutes.

BA 1173, 1174. Spanish 941, 942, 394A, 3941. US Charts 143. Admiralty Pilot NP22, NP286(1).

This service is operated by Bilbao Traffic (MRCC Bilbao). To contact, Tel: +34 94 483 9411, Email: bilbao@sasemar.es, VHF Ch 16 (throughout 24 hours), Ch 10 (working). The area covered for search and rescue is located between the following points: ..... Latitude Longitude 43°23.0'N 001°47.0'W 44°20.0'N 004°00.0'W 44°24.0'N 004°31.0'W 43°24.0'N 004°31.0'W Craft and helicopter are available.

1025 (1016 at Sefanitro Berth).

The pilot's office controls the berthing of vessels, allocates anchor berths and provides information on shipping movements within the port. Mooring launches are normally employed for berthing but their use is not compulsory. To berth at Santurtzi Piers, it is not necessary to have high tide unless the vessel has a draught of more than 12.0m. To proceed up river vessels have to wait until 1 hour before HW, unless vessel has 4.5m draught or less. Punta Lucero berths, Punta Ceballos berths and Punta Sollana berths: Vessels less than 20m draught can berth at any time; vessels of deeper draught normally berth in the period lasting 2 hours either side of HW.

Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 500GT entering and leaving the port of Bilbao. Contact Bilbao Pilots at least 1 hour before arrival on Ch 12 (transferring to VHF Ch 06) and again when vessel is 7nm off the port entrance. ..... Boarding Positions: 1. 43°22.54'N 003°04.99'W 2. 43°24.46'N 003°05.96'W

Port limits are 2nm off Punta Lucero breakwater.

Punta Galea Lighthouse (43°22'N 003°02'W). Puente de Vizcaya (43°19.5'N 003°009'W), the transporter bridge (black framework tower, 65m in height, on each bank of Ria de Bilbao joined by framework superstructure). Two conspicuous chimneys (red and white bands at top, encircled by 4 or 5 strip lights, 230m and 200m in height) (43°20.4'N 003°03.1'W) of Iberduero power station. Punta Lucero Entrance Lights. New port expansion entrance lights and Santurtzi port area entrance Lights. Five wind turbines placed on Punta Lucero breakwater, 78m maximum high to the top, separated 200m between them. At night five red lights blink on each one.

Puente de Vizcaya, the transporter bridge close within the river entrance, has a vertical clearance of 45m beneath the superstructure. The river is best navigated at HW during daylight. Restricted areas: Lie adjacent to the port approaches, close N of the elbow of Dique de Zierbena and parallel to the coast between Punta Galea and Contradique de Algorta. Entry to these areas should not be made without reference to local regulations.

Range, 4.3m springs, 1.3m neaps. At the head of El Abra de Bilbao strong winds from SW or NW raise the water level by 0.5m; gales from between NE and S lower the water level by 0.5m. In the river NE winds tend to reduce the range of the tide and S winds tend to increase it. In the entrance the outgoing stream attains a rate of 3kts at springs, 1.5kts at neaps; the ingoing tidal stream is weaker.

There are port traffic separation schemes or traffic control systems in the approaches to Bilbao Port. Report at any time. Any hindrance to navigation, damaged navigational aids or marine pollution must be reported to Bilbao Traffic (VTS) through VHF Ch 16 or 10, Tel: +34 94 483 9411.

The use of tugs is compulsory for ships berthing at dangerous goods terminals. The number depends upon the tonnage of the vessel, weather conditions and whether the vessel has a bow thruster. In other cases, the Master will make a decision with the pilot's advice. Some of the tugs available are as follows: ..... Tug name Horsepower Bollard Pull Notes Ibaizabel 5 5,300 56 Fire-fighting capabilities Gatika 4,500 46 Fire-fighting capabilities Galdames 4,500 46 Fire-fighting capabilities Gernika 4,500 46 Fire-fighting capabilities Ibaizabal 2 4,500 55 Fire-fighting capabilities Sertosa 30 4,200 53 Fire-fighting capabilities Alai 1,776 20 - Aitor 1,776 20 - Zabal 1,776 20 - UR 1,776 20 - Gogor 2,250 30 - Tugs must be ordered through the pilot service, although it is also possible to contact directly through VHF Ch 12. It is compulsory to use tug lines for larger tugs (4,500hp). LNG Vessels: 4 tugs required for berthing and unberthing.

Prevailing winds: NW'ly. Strong NW to W winds can produce a considerable swell in El Abra de Bilbao and its approaches that makes vessel handling difficult and causes surging at Punta Lucero berths. El Abra de Bilbao has a funnelling effect on the winds which blow with great force during storms; the S and SW winds are the strongest. Fog: Morning fog is more likely during the summer but in winter fog may last for 2 or 3 days.

BILBAO 43°20.69'N 3°01.87'W UNCTAD LOCODE: ES BIO ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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(2) Vessels should call the Pilot Station 1h before arrival on VHF Ch 12 (transferring to VHF Ch 06) and again when vessel is 7 n miles off the port entrance. (3) Pilot boards in the following positions: (a) 43°22.54ґN 3°04.99ґW (b) 43°24.46ґN 3°05.96ґW ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________\n TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION: There are Traffic Control Systems in the approaches to Bilbao Port.\n CONTACT DETAILS: Call: Bilbao Traffic VHF Frequency: Ch 16; 10 Telephone: +34 94 4839411 ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________\n SIGNAL STATION CONTACT DETAILS: Call: Vigнa Puerto Bilbao VHF Frequency: Ch 16; 12 13\n HOURS:\tHX\n ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________\n PORT CONTACT DETAILS: Berthing Superintendent Telephone: +34 94 4871233 Fax: +34 94 4871244 Marine Authority (Capitanнa de Puerto) Telephone: +34 94 4241416 Fax: +34 94 4248057 Port Authority Telephone: +34 94 4871200 Fax: +34 94 4871207\n \t+34 94 4871208 E-mail: comercial@bilbaoport.es Website: www.bilbaoport.es\n HOURS:\tH24 PROCEDURE: Notice of ETA: Vessels should send ETA 72h, 48h and 6h in advance through the agent.\n ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________\n PETRONOR REFINERY\n LOCATION: 43°22.15ґN 3°05.41ґW\n CONTACT DETAILS: Call: Petronor Bilbao VHF Frequency: Ch 16; 10 11 12 14 17 Telephone: +34 94 6365291 Fax: +34 94 6365332 E-mail: petronor@repsolypf.com\n HOURS:\tH24 PROCEDURE: (1) Notice of ETA: Vessels should send ETA 72h, 48h and 24h in advance via agents or directly by fax, and advise any subsequent amendments of more than 2h. (2) Vessels should also contact Bilbao Pilots 1h before arrival and when 7 n miles from the port entrance.\n ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________\n " }

Radio: Short wave communication link through Aranjuez Radio and Pozuelo del Rey. Medium wave communication link is through Machichaco Cape Radio and Penas Cape. Satellite communications are possible. Other coastal stations in the vicinity operating on the same calling channel are Santander Radio, Cabo Machichaco Radio and Pasajes Radio. VHF: Bilbao Pilot: Ch 12, 06, 16. Tel: +34 94 496 0311, Fax: +34 94 472 0417. Email: servicios@practicosbilbao.com. Bilbao Traffic: Ch 10, 16. Tel: +34 94 483 9411. Vigia Puerto Bilbao: Ch 12, 13, 16. Petronor Refinery: Ch 10, 11, 12, 14, 17, 16. Tel: 34 94 636 5291. Fax: +34 94 636 5332. Email: petronor@repsolypf.com.

Crew members are not allowed to keep more than 200 cigarettes or equivalent in tobacco and a 1 litre bottle of spirits out of bond. The rest must be included in the vessel's store list and is to be sealed. The max quantity of tobacco that any ship can carry in accordance with the Spanish laws is 6kg for each person onboard. Any quantity over this amount should be recorded as "tobacco in transit" and passed by the Spanish Consulate at the previous port. For vessels diverted to a Spanish port or if a Spanish Consulate was not available at last port of call, the master is requested to send a cable to Direction General de Aduanas - Madrid, prior to arrival at Bilbao stating the tobacco manifest was not cleared at last port of call. It should be entered in the log book and a copy sent to custom's agent when boarding.

..... Documents Copies 1. Crew List 4 2. Passenger List or 2 Negative Passenger List 2 3. Crew's Personal Effects 2 4. Ship's Store List 2 5. International Health Declaration Form (for vessels arriving from ports outside the EU) 1 6. Narcotic List 1 7. Declaration of No Animals onboard 1 8. Cargo Manifest 1 9. Manifest of cargo in transit 1 10. Master General Declaration Form - 11. Oil Residue Declaration (MARPOL) - 12. International Tonnage Certificate (1969) at first call to Bilbao - Forms in respect of Nos 10 and 11 will be provided by agent on berthing.

Vessel's should send ETA via agent 72, 48 and 6 hours prior to arrival. Petronor Refinery: Vessel's are requested to send ETA 72, 48 and 24 hours in advance via agents or directly by fax.

Vessel must fly the ship's national flag and the Spanish flag, normally at forward mast. Vessels requiring pratique must fly Interco "Q" flag when entering port.

Health and customs authorities will board either when vessel is at anchor or berthed. Customary national and international regulations concerning free pratique are applied. Unless there is contagious sickness onboard or vessel is coming from an epidemic zone, radio advice to health authority is not required. Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate issued. Documents Required by Health Authorities: Health Declaration, Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Crew List.

Notice of Readiness is normally tendered when the vessel reaches the outer breakwater or, in the case of anchoring, at that time. Refer to Charter Party.