Port Operations

São Miguel

Port of Ponta Delgada

The Port of Ponta Delgada is located on the south coast of the island of São Miguel, in the Portuguese Autonomous Region of the Azores (at coordinates 37°44′5” N, 25°39′52”W). Connected to the main roadways on the island, the port has three port infrastructures and two berths. Its port infrastructures include a commercial pier, a passenger terminal (with a cruiseship and ferry pier), as well as a fishing port.

The commercial pier is mainly dedicated to cargo vessels (includinng bulk carriers, container ships and general cargo craft) and extends west to east over 1,244 meters, guaranteeing an 800 meter long berth divided as follows:

  • Pier-10: 220 meters long and 10 meters deep;
  • Pier-12: 565 meters long and 12 meters deep (that includes the NATO Pier).

The passenger terminal is situated to the north of the commercial pier and serves cruise and ferry ships that call at Ponta Delgada. With a 360 meter long, 11 meter deep dock the terminal handles 340 meter ships with 9 meter drafts. The terminal fronts the city of Ponta Delgada (500 meters from the terminal) provides access to the island's airport (Ponta Delgada-João Paulo II International), making it a remarkable gateway to the island.

The fishing port, under the responsibility of Lotaçor, is located on the western edge of the commercial pier and is an important harbour for Azorean fishing vessels.

Docks/Piers

The port's berths are defined according to the following:

  • Foreign Trade - the area delimited by the 37º44'N and 37º44'N parallels and by the 25º38' W and 25º38' W meridians.
  • Franchise - the area delimited by the 37º43'N and 37º43'N parallels and by the 25º39'W and 25º40'W meridians.

In terms of compliance with the ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security ) Codes, the port facilities are identified in the port of Ponta Delgada:

  • Commercial Pier - IMO Id.: PTPDL-0001
  • Portas do Mar - IMO Id.: PTPDL-0006
The port of Ponta Delgada includes eight berth areas situated between the commercial pier and the "Portas do Mar" passenger terminal.

Commercial Pier

The commercial pier can receive ships without any length restrictions, but maybe subject to a maximum draft between 8.5 and 10.5 meters. The anchorages for mooring at the commercial pier includes:

Berthable Pier by Depth
Length (meters)
Depth (meters)
Max. Draft (meters)
Embankments (meters2)
Pier-4
200.0
-4.0
-
3,115
Pier-6
207.0
-6.5
5.8
5,000
Pier-8
220.0
8.5
5.8
12,000
Pier head
52.5
-10.0
8.5
-
Pier-12
565.0
-12.0
10.5
12,790

"Portas do Mar" Terminal Pier

The berths at "Portas do Mar" are capable receiving ships with a maximum length of 340 meters and a draft of 9 meters, as follows:

Berthable Pier by Depth
Length (meters)
Depth (meters)
Max. Draft (meters)
Portas do Mar South Pier
360
-11.00
9.00
Portas do Mar North Pier
96
-10.00
6.00
Portas do Mar RO-RO Ramp
26
-5.50
4.80

Port Equipment

The port is equipped with a vast array of equipment to guarantee port operations on land (cargo handling) and sea (aid for vessels). Cargo handling equipment is segmented into horizontal movement (for example reach stacker-type forklifts to 45 tons capacity) and vertical handling (for example cranes to 100 tons capacity). In terms of maritime operations, the equipment available at the port includes those for maneuvering of ships and vessels (inside and outside the port), including harbor tugs, speedboats and semi-rigid boats. The port has modern equipment and materials for preventing and combating pollution caused by oil spills.

Image

Area of Jurisdiction

Marina of Vila Franca do Campo

The Marina of Vila Franca do Campo is located in the cove of Vinha D’Areia along the eastern coast of the town of Vila Franca do Campo (at coordinates 37°42'7"N 25°25'45.9"W). When approaching from the west you must provide a 500 meter distance to the Ponta da Galera, then draw a course of 088° to the islet of Vila Franca to avoid the reef Baixo da Roída.

Entering the marina: The marina is protected by a breakwater and illuminated from the south, east and west side. The entrance to the marina is accomplished from the east side where, during the night, it is protected by signals from two lights (green: 37°42.8’N 25°25.767’"W and red: 37°42.805’N 25°25.708’"W).

Features

Maximum Length: 14 Meters
Berths Depth: 3.5 Meters
Number of Berths: 125
VHF Channels: 9, 16
Structure: Floating Pontoons
Winds: Usually from the sea
Tides: Flood E, ebb W
Visibility: Good

Contacts

Address: Rua Eng.º Manuel António Martins Mota s/n
9680-909 Vila Franca do Campo - São Miguel, Azores
Telephone: +351 296 581 488
FAX: +351 296 581 488

Schedule
Reception: 08h00 - 12h00 / 13h30 – 16h00
Previously requested, the reception can close later
Image

Marina of Ponta Delgada

The Marina of Ponta Delgada is situated within the port of Ponta Delgada (at coordinates 37°44'12"N 25°39'40"W). The 30 metre reception quay is located at the portside entrance to the port. The entrance is only illuminated on the starboard side, but the evening lighting in the city and along the piers are sufficient to identify the reception pontoon (that has a row of flagpoles).

Entering the marina: the main reference to the port/anchorage in Ponta Delgada is the lighthouse of Santa Clara (located west of the commercial pier). Protected by a breakwater, the harbour is conditioned by a 3 knot maximum speed requirement. The alignment to the harbour entrance is 321°. Once passing the breakwater into the harbour, turn slightly to port to face the marina entrance. The cardinal buoy should be at your starboard side. The immersed jetty extends for 50-100 meters aligned to the breakwater, therefore you are required to insure a safe distance.

Features

Maximum Length: 90 Meters
Berths Depth: 4.5 Meters
Travel Lift: 25 Tons
Number of Berths: 640
VHF Channels: 16, 62
Structure: Floating Pontoons
Winds: Usually from the sea
Tides: Flood E, ebb W
Visibility: Good

Contacts

POC: Dra. Vitória Nunes
Address: Av. Infante D. Henrique, Apartado 133
9500-767 Ponta Delgada - São Miguel, Azores
Telephone: +351 296 281 510
Fax: +351 296 281 311
 
Schedule:
High Season: 09h00 to 18h30
Low Season: 09h00 to 17h30
Image

Terceira

Port of Praia da Vitória

The Port of Praia da Vitória (PTPRV) is situated on the east coast of the island of Terceira, in the wide bay of the same name (at coordinates 38°42'41"N, 27°03'08"W), which is located between Ponta da Má Merenda and Ponta do Baixio. The approaches to artificial basin are simple and north and south anchorage approaches are safe with depths from 12 to 35 meters.

The city of Praia da Vitoria is the closet urban area to the port (situated 3 kilometers), while the city of Angra do Heroísmo (the largest on the island) is 24 kilometers away. The airport (Lajes) is situated 7 kilometers from the port.

In terms of compliance with the ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security) Code the entire port facility at the port of Praia da Vitória is certified: IMO Identification: PTPRV-0001

Docks/Piers

Commercial Pier

Berthable Pier by Depth
Length (meters)
Depth (meters)
Max. Ship Length (meters)
Max. Draft (meters)
Pier-7
150.0
-7.0
120.0
6.0
Pier-10
200.0
-10.0
150.0
8.0
Pier-12
350.0
-12.0
270.0
10.0

Cimenteiro Pier

Berthable Pier
Length (meters)
Depth (meters)
Max. Ship Length (meters)
Max. Draft (meters)
Duque d'Alba
-
-7.0
110.0
6.2

POL Pier

Berthable Pier
Length (meters)
Depth (meters)
Max. Ship Length (meters)
Max. Draft (meters)
POL
-
-12.0
200.0
10.2

Port Equipment

The port is equipped with a vast array of equipment to guarantee port operations on land (cargo handling) and sea (aid for vessels). Cargo handling equipment is segmented into horizontal movement (for example reach stacker-type forklifts to 45 tons capacity) and vertical handling (for example cranes to 100 tons capacity). In terms of maritime operations, the equipment available at the port includes those for maneuvering of ships and vessels (inside and outside the port), including harbor tugs, speedboats and semi-rigid boats. The port has modern equipment and materials for preventing and combating pollution caused by oil spills.

Image

Area of Jurisdiction

Marina of Praia da Vitória

The Marina of Praia da Vitória is situated on the eastern coast of the island (at coordinates 38°43'47.5"N 27°03'26.5"W) in the bay of the same name, protected by two breakwaters with northern and southern lighthouses, with water depths good along the breakwater. After passing the breakwater, the marina is visible in the northeast between the sandy beaches of Prainha and Praia Grande between esplanade of the Avenida Beira-Mar.

Entering the marina: the approach to the harbour is accomplished between the two port breakwaters, keeping to the north. Once inside the port, a course of 310° will lead to the entrance of the marina. With the south breakwater on starboard side, head north and leave the south breakwater to the portside.

Features

Maximum Length: 25 Meters
Number of Berths: 210
Berths Depth: 2.5 Meters
VHF Channels: 9, 16
Structure: Floating Pontoons
Winds: Usually from the sea
Tides: Flood NE, ebb SW
Visibility: Good

Contacts

Address: Av. Álvaro Martins Homem
9760-512 Praia da Vitória - Terceira, Azores
Telephone: +351 295 540 219
Mobile: +351 917 869 072
FAX: +351 295 545 440
Website: marina@cmpv.pt
 
Schedule:
High Season: 08h00 to 20h00
Low Season: 08h00 to 17h00
Image

Marina of Angra

Angra do Heroismo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site owing to its history and architecture, including experience with pirates/privateers and old galleons. The Marina of Angra is sitauted along the south coast of Terceira Island (at coordinates 38°39'13"N 27°13'01"W.) During the day Monte Brazil (an extinct volcanic cone) is the principal reference, while in the evening the approach is made from the west, with the lighthouse of Monte Brazil only visible from the 057°. The marina is located in the eastern part of the bay protected by a breakwater.

Entering the marina: The approach to the port is accomplished by the sightin the the front and rear lighthouses of Angra do Heroísmo, bearing 320°. Once passed the pier lighthouse turn to starboard and head to the entrance of the marina. The western anchorage along the Baixa da Prainha can become dangerous and uncomfortable in swells raised by winds from south and east.

Features

Maximum Length: 25 Meters
Berths Depth: 3.5 Meters
Travel Lift: 50 Tons
Number of Berths: 260
VHF Channels: 9, 16
Structure: Floating Pontoons
Winds: Usually from the sea
Tides: Flood NE, ebb SW
Visibility: Good

Contacts

POC: Roldão Duarte
Address: Porto das Pipas
9700-154 Angra do Heroísmo - Terceira, Azores
Telephone: +351 295 540 000 / 295 216 304
FAX: +351 295 216 309
 
Schedule:
High Season: 08h00 to 20h00
Low Season: 08h00 to 17h00
Image

Faial

Port of Horta

The Port of Horta is located in the southeast coast of the island of Faial (at coordinates 38°31'44" N, 28°37'33" W).

The port is situated in the city (only 1 kilometer to the city center), while the airport (situated in Castelo Branco) is 5 kilometers away.

Pier and Terminals

Commercial Pier

Berthable Pier
Length (meters)
Depth (meters)
Max. Ship Length (meters)
Max. Draft (meters)
Pier-6
150.0
-6.5
180.0
5.5
Pier-8
200.0
-8.0
180.0
-7.5

Passenger Terminal

Berthable Pier
Length (meters)
Depth (meters)
Max. Ship Length (meters)
Max. Draft (meters)
Pier 
270.0
-8.5
240.0
-8.0
Image

Area of Jurisdiction

Marina of Horta

The city of Horta is sitauted along the southeast coast of the island of Faial (at coordinates 38°31'9"N 28°37'5"W). The tides in the Faial channel are strong, with currents flowing from the north and ebbing into the bay. The marina is located within the commercial port, protected in the east by a 440 meters length breakwater with a small beacon (300 meters from the commercial port). Another 150 meter quay, where the where marina control centre and refuelling station are located, also provide nine pontoons and 6-20 meter piers. The main references at Horta are the lighthouse of Boa Viagem and the breakwater beacon situated at the end of the commercial pier.

Entering the marina: The entrance to the harbour is accomplished by sighting the Boa Viagem lighthouse and the Church of Monte Carmel (Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo) at 285°, until aligned with the port lighthouses (on the beginning and end of the port). Once inside the port the marina’s quays are right in front. Travellers must be alert as passenger ferry service is common from the maritime terminal or fishing boats from the commercial port are common, requiring visitors to stay a safe distance from the breakwater entrance.

Features

Maximum Length: 80 Meters
Number of Berths: 240
Berths Depth: 5.8 Meters
Travel Lift: 25 Tons
VHF Channels: 10, 16
Structure: Floating Pontoons
Winds: Usually from the sea
Tides: Flood N, ebb S
Visibility: Good

Contacts

POC: Armando Castro
Address: Rua Vasco da Gama
9900-017 Horta - Faial, Azores
 
Telephone: +351 292 391 693
FAX: +351 292 393 986
 
Schedule:
High Season: 08h00 to 20h00
Low Season: 08h00 to 17h00
Image