Port Watch Weekly #10 2025 – NL Central America

Port Watch Weekly

week # 10 - 2025

Caribbean Updates

Public Holidays

March 10 – Turks and Caicos, Commonwealth Day
March 14 – Saint Vincent and Grenadines, National Heroes Day
March 17 – Montserrat, Saint Patrick’s Day
March 18 – Aruba, National Anthem and Flag Day
March 22 – Puerto Rico, Emancipation Day
March 26 – Guadeloupe, Mi Careme

Saint Barthélemy, Mi Careme
Saint Martin, Mi Careme

March 30 – Trinidad and Tobago, Spiritual Shouter Baptist Liberation Day
March 31 – Trinidad and Tobago, Eid Al Fitr
US Virgin Islands, Transfer Day

LPG & LNG Bunkering Service at Barahona, Dominican Republic

We are excited to offer LPG and LNG bunkering services at Neiba Bay, Dominican Republic—a prime location with unobstructed navigation, sandy beaches, and excellent anchor holding ground. With depths ranging from 33-46 meters and a seabed composed of coral, shells, and sand, Neiba Bay provides the perfect environment for smooth and efficient bunkering operations.

We invite you to join us in leading the way toward a more sustainable future. Contact us today to coordinate with our operations experts and ensure seamless service for your vessel.

Central America

Public Holidays

March 14 – Belize, National Heroes Day
March 17 – Belize, National Heroes Day
Honduras, Public Holiday
March 14 – Belize, Public Holiday

Line Ups & Industry news

For more information, please:

Acajutla, El Salvador

Port declared “CONGESTED”. Waiting time is around 28-30 days for breakbulk vessels at pier B & C. There are 14 vessels awaiting berth availability.

Currently, the repair work on deck A is stopped until further notice.

Due to the ongoing transition from CEPA to Yilport administration, they are experiencing delays in providing the port lineup and performance information. Reverting asap with updated port line up

The repair of pier “A “ is divided into 3 stages:

· Currently in Phase 1, (100 meters /A-2), it ends approximately on November 30^th.

· The 2nd. Phase (100 meters A-1) will begin in December and end in January 2025.

· The 3rd. Phase (133 meters center of pier A). Will begin in January 2025 and is expected to end by March 2025 (Pier will be completely closed).

Keep in mind berthing is subject to arrival of any container vessel as they have priority; this being said – if container vessel arrived while we are at anchorage automatically will be working prior to our vessel.

To discharge heavy cargo on Pier B4/B6, ship cranes /shore equipment- is required. For heavy cargo we suggest calling Pier C to use shore crane.

• Cargo with civil liability policy

• Cargo dimensions ( HxWx L of all pcs)}

• Unit weight per piece

• Pictures/condition of the cargo

• Crew should manage cranes.

• If any special equipment needed, it should be coordinated with anticipation to avoid delays.

• Stevedores will handle vessel crane when discharge heavy cargo.

• Port will request receivers to be ready with trucks.

Now, berthing is based on below priority list:

Cruise vessel
Sugar & molasses loading vessels.
Containers
Bulk carrier with food and perishable cargo
RORO
Cement/steel, etc.

In the event that the government issues a letter to CEPA (Customs and Excise Ports Authority) indicating that a vessel carries essential cargo vital to the country, the terminal shall accord priority to this vessel.

Extra mooring lines onboard are suggested in case Terminal cannot supply as ACJ is at open sea and current swell conditions are affecting the piers.

Vessels that arrived with draft higher than 11.2m can only work at Pier C, which is dedicated to Containers vessels.

MAXIMUM DRAFTS:

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Berthing is subject to suitable marine/weather conditions and pilot criteria.

Forecasted conditions may be different to those experienced offshore.

LOA 700 ft BEAM 100ft

– Min depth 10.2m at pier #4 west

– Min depth 10.2m at pier #5 west

– Recommended UKC 0.3m

– Density SW 1.025.

Rio Haina, Dominican Republic

Current port restrictions:

LOA 760ft BEAM 105ft

– Min depth 10.1m at pier #4 west.

– Min depth 10.9m at pier #5 west.

– Min depth 9.8m at pier #3 east.

– Min depth 9.9m at pier #4 east.

– Min depth 10.4m at pier #5 east.

– Recommended UKC 0.3m.

– Density BW varies between 1.016 and 1.025.

Puerto Quetzal

The congestion in EPQ fro BB Vessel is 10-15 days waiting time.

Regular and consistent liner traffic, two (2) of these berths are solely used for liner/container vessels.

These vessels include container ships with perishable cargo, passenger ships and military vessels.
The remaining two (2) berths are to be used for all other types of cargo.
Container arriving on daily basis with priority.

LOA restriction – Berths: 1 – 4 -200 MT long each and accommodate as per LOA availability.

Caldera, Costa Rica

Tentative Caldera Port planning for the next few days is available on request with our team.

Vessels can experience waiting times as follows:

Main reason of delays is the current rain affecting turnaround time on vessel´s operating at berth.

Note: These waiting days are subject to weather condition, arrival drafts and type of cargo detailed as follows:

MPP and dry-bulk carriers are assigned for docking at berth #4 which has a max permissible draft of 12.3m SW.
Average water density in Caldera Port is 1.018
MPP and dry-bulk carriers may be assigned to dock other berths subject to priorities vessel type as follows:

Berth priorities: 1- Cruiser, 2- Perishable cargoes (reefer containers), 3- Ro-Ro (short time call), 4- grain vessels (at berth #4), 5- General cargo.

UPDATED PORT DIMENSIONS:

Pier N° 1 length: 210 meters

(Official DRAFT for General cargo Vessel 10.50 mts) | CONTAINER VESSEL´S HAVE PRIORITY

Pier N° 2 length: 150 meters

(Official DRAFT for General cargo Vessel 9.50 mts)

Pier N° 3 length: 190 meters

(Official DRAFT for General cargo Vessel 6.75 mts)

Pier N ° 4 length: 250 meters

(Official DRAFT for General cargo Vessel 12.30 mts) | GRAIN VESSEL´S HAVE PRIORITY

Puerto Cortes, Honduras

For Break bulk vessel the main reason of waiting time is berth availability taking into consideration that containers vessel has berthing priority. Weather also might impact operations at all piers.

Option to work on berth #4 – is only available for general cargo vessel. Please bear in mind operations at this berth are subject to direct discharge only.