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Free Maritime & Shipping Template

Free Port Call Checklist Template

Download a free port call checklist template in Word, PDF, or Markdown. Or turn any video into port call checklist template with Docsie AI — auto-fills every required field.

Port Details Pre-Arrival Clearance Documents Berthing Cargo Operations Departure

Port Call Checklist

Use this template to prepare a vessel for port arrival, clearance, cargo operations, and departure.

Template Metadata

Field Details
Category Maritime & Shipping
Owner [Team or owner]
Version [Version number]
Effective Date [Date]
Review Cycle [Monthly / Quarterly / Annual / Event-based]
Status [Draft / In Review / Approved]

Port Details

Identify port, berth, agent, ETA, pilot station, tide window, cargo, and terminal contact.

Item Details Owner Status
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]

Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

Pre-Arrival Checks

Include notices, passage plan, crew readiness, certificates, ballast, mooring lines, gangway, and security level.

Item Details Owner Status
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]

Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

Clearance Documents

List crew list, cargo manifest, stores, dangerous goods, health declaration, port state control, and customs forms.

Item Details Owner Status
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]

Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

Berthing and Interface

Document pilot boarding, tug plan, mooring arrangement, terminal safety meeting, ship-shore checklist, and communications.

Item Details Owner Status
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]

Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

Cargo Operations

Track hatch opening, stowage checks, cargo gear, tank or hold condition, loading rate, and stoppage criteria.

Item Details Owner Status
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]

Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

Departure Checks

Confirm documentation, stability, draft survey, pilot booking, engine readiness, and final clearance. Use checkbox tables with owner and status columns.

Item Details Owner Status
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]

Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

Review and Signoff

Document review conclusions, approvals, unresolved items, and next review date.

Role Name Date Notes
Preparer [Name] [Date] [Notes]
Reviewer [Name] [Date] [Notes]
Approver [Name] [Date] [Notes]
Template Guide

How to Use the Port Call Checklist Template

When to Use This Template

Deploy this checklist whenever a vessel schedules a port call to ensure operational compliance and safety.

  • Planning stage when ETA is confirmed and berth allocation received
  • Pre-arrival phase 24-48 hours before pilot boarding for crew briefings
  • Post-departure review to document lessons learned and update procedures

What This Template Covers

This template produces a complete operational framework covering all phases of a port call.

  • Pre-arrival documentation including ISPS security level, ballast status, and certificates
  • Berthing operations with pilot boarding arrangements, tug plan, and mooring configuration
  • Cargo handling procedures, departure clearance, and SOLAS-compliant ship-shore safety checklist

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Most port call delays stem from incomplete documentation, missed communication windows, or unchecked equipment.

  • Submitting crew lists without seafarer ID numbers causes customs hold-ups
  • Skipping pre-arrival ballast calculations triggers port state control inspections and fines
  • Forgetting to confirm pilot boarding time leads to missed tide windows

Template Structure

What the Port Call Checklist Template Includes

Use this maritime & shipping template as a starting point, then customize each section to match your internal workflow, evidence, and signoff needs.

1

Port Details

Identify port, berth, agent, ETA, pilot station, tide window, cargo, and terminal contact.

2

Pre-Arrival Checks

Include notices, passage plan, crew readiness, certificates, ballast, mooring lines, gangway, and security level.

3

Clearance Documents

List crew list, cargo manifest, stores, dangerous goods, health declaration, port state control, and customs forms.

4

Berthing and Interface

Document pilot boarding, tug plan, mooring arrangement, terminal safety meeting, ship-shore checklist, and communications.

5

Cargo Operations

Track hatch opening, stowage checks, cargo gear, tank or hold condition, loading rate, and stoppage criteria.

6

Departure Checks

Confirm documentation, stability, draft survey, pilot booking, engine readiness, and final clearance. Use checkbox tables with owner and status columns.

Recommended Structure

Write a Port Call Checklist for a shipping operation. Structure with these Markdown sections:

Port Details

Identify port, berth, agent, ETA, pilot station, tide window, cargo, and terminal contact.

Pre-Arrival Checks

Include notices, passage plan, crew readiness, certificates, ballast, mooring lines, gangway, and security level.

Clearance Documents

List crew list, cargo manifest, stores, dangerous goods, health declaration, port state control, and customs forms.

Berthing and Interface

Document pilot boarding, tug plan, mooring arrangement, terminal safety meeting, ship-shore checklist, and communications.

Cargo Operations

Track hatch opening, stowage checks, cargo gear, tank or hold condition, loading rate, and stoppage criteria.

Departure Checks

Confirm documentation, stability, draft survey, pilot booking, engine readiness, and final clearance.

Use checkbox tables with owner and status columns.

Example Filled Template

Port Call Checklist: MV Harbor Star at Port West

Port Details

ETA Berth Agent Cargo
2026-05-06 14:00 LT Berth 3 Bluewater Agency 8,200 mt bagged rice

Pre-Arrival Checks

Check Owner Status
Pilot card prepared Chief Officer Complete
Mooring lines inspected Bosun Complete

Cargo Operations

Cargo may begin only after the ship-shore safety checklist is signed and hold inspection is accepted by the terminal.

Departure Checks

Final draft survey, cargo documents, and outbound pilot booking must be confirmed before engines are placed on standby.

Video to Document

Turn Video Into Port Call Checklist

Already have a walkthrough or training video covering this process? Skip manual drafting. Upload the video and Docsie AI generates port call checklist template with every required field populated — ready for review, signoff, or export.

Use the template manually, or let Docsie generate the first draft from source footage.

DOCX, PDF, and Markdown downloads
Works with process and training videos

Template FAQ

Port Call Checklist Template FAQ

Common questions about downloading and generating a port call checklist template.

Using This Template

Q: What is a port call checklist template?

A: A port call checklist template is a structured document for prepare a vessel for port arrival, clearance, cargo operations, and departure.

Q: Is the port call checklist template really free?

A: Yes. The port call checklist template is completely free to download in Word (DOCX), PDF, and Markdown formats. No signup or credit card required to download.

Q: How do I turn a video into a port Call Checklist?

A: Upload a process walkthrough, training recording, or screen capture to Docsie. The AI analyzes the video and generates a complete port Call Checklist using this template's structure — every required field auto-filled from the footage.

Q: Can I edit the port call checklist template after downloading?

A: Yes. The DOCX format opens in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. The Markdown format imports into Notion, Confluence, Docsie, or any markdown editor. Customize fields, add your branding, and adapt to your internal workflow.