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Port of Santo

VUSAN🇻🇺Vanuatu

Port Location

About Port of Santo

Santo is an anchorage port in Vanuatu. It handles bulk carriers, container ships, tankers, and general cargo vessels. The port has a maximum draft of approximately 10 meters and is equipped with pilotage and tug services.

Background
Naval Advance Base Espiritu Santo or Naval Base Espiritu Santo, most often just called Espiritu Santo, was a major advance Naval base that the U.S. Navy Seabees built during World War II to support the Allied effort in the Pacific. The base was located on the island of Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides, now Vanuatu, in the South Pacific. The base also supported the U.S. Army and Army Air Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, and US Marine Corps. It was the first large advance base built in the Pacific. By the end of the war it had become the second-largest base in the theater. To keep ships tactically available there was a demand for bases that could repair and resupply the fleet at advance locations, rather than return them to the United States. Prior to December 7th, Pearl Harbor was the U.S. fleet's largest advance base in the Pacific. Espiritu

Current Conditions

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Vessel Limits

Max Draft
10m
Channel Depth
13ft
Tidal Range
1ft
Elevation
71m

Operations & Services

Port of Entry
Yes
Pilotage Compulsory
Yes
Tug Assistance
Yes
Cranes
Mobile
Drydock
U
Repair Code
C

History

Established
1942
Operator (Wikidata ID)
United States Navy

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Identification

UN/LOCODE
VUSAN
Country
🇻🇺Vanuatu
Time Zone
UTC+11
Feature Type
ANCH (Anchorage)

Classification

Type
Port
Harbor Type
Coastal natural
Shelter
Good

Region

Area
East Australia
Sub-area
Coral Sea
Latitude
-15.5060°
Longitude
167.1800°

References & Identifiers

WPI No.
57200 →
GeoNames ID
2137339 →
Wikidata
Q106611220 →
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the draft restrictions at the Port of Santo?+
The controlling depth at Santo is 10 meters. Draft restrictions should be confirmed with the port authority before arrival, as silting, dredging operations, and tidal conditions can affect available depths. Pilotage is typically required for larger vessels.
How do I navigate the approach to the Port of Santo?+
The approach to Santo is supported by 4 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Aore Island Lighthouse at 2.5 NM to the SE. Other aids include Million Dollar Point (3.9 NM ESE), Palikoulo Point (4.7 NM ENE), Tutuba Island (7.4 NM ESE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.
What sea or ocean is the Port of Santo on?+
The Port of Santo is situated on the Coral Sea in VU. The area falls within the tropical climate zone with warm waters and seasonal monsoons, which can influence port operations and seasonal shipping patterns.
How do I track vessels arriving at or departing from the Port of Santo?+
You can track vessels near Santo (VUSAN) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page or search for VUSAN on the live map.
What are the operating hours and time zone for the Port of Santo?+
The Port of Santo operates in the UTC+11 time zone. Operating hours, VTS schedules, and pilot availability vary — vessel agents should confirm with the port authority in advance, especially for night arrivals or weekend operations.
What is the Port of Santo?+
SANTO (UN/Locode: VUSAN), Vanuatu is a seaport located at approximately -15.50600° N, 167.18000° E.
Where is the Port of Santo located?+
Coordinates: -15.50600° N, 167.18000° E. Nearby terminals/ports:LUGANVILLE — UN/Locode: VULUG — -15.53000° N, 167.17000° E
What facilities are available at the Port of Santo?+
Depths: maximum draft approx. 10 m.
What are the operational restrictions at the Port of Santo?+
Entrance/operational restrictions — tide: no specific restriction; swell: no specific restriction; ice: none; overhead limits: none and other: none noted.
What are the communications and port formalities at the Port of Santo?+
Communication & port formalities — telephone: not available; radio (VHF): not available; air services: not available; rail: not available; ETA message: not required; quarantine pratique: not available; deratting certificate: not available and first port of entry: not available. Pilotage & towage — pilotage: not available; tug assistance: not available and tug salvage: not available.
What types of vessels historically call at the Port of Santo?+
Vessel types historically calling: Bulk Carrier, Container, Gas Carrier, General Cargo, Passenger, Pleasure Craft and Tanker.