Port Watch Weekly #20 – NL Central America

Port Watch Weekly

week # 20

Caribbean Updates

Haiti

Two weeks ago, the main public port reopened, allowing all types of vessels to resume their schedules. Vessels are arriving, discharging, and departing regularly.

he situation appears to have returned to normal. It’s confirmed that police and military have been providing security at the port for the past couple of weeks. Containerized vessels, oil tankers, and break-bulk vessels are all arriving, discharging, and departing as usual.

Central America

Acajutla, El Salvador

PROJECT MAINTENANCE CEPA PIER A

The maintenance project for Pier A Front side has experienced delays in its start.

Port informed this project holds significant importance as the port urgently requires infrastructure maintenance investment for Pier A. The objective is to restore the design conditions of Pier A, focusing on repairing both the Front and south sides. The scope of work includes:

Rehabilitation of 2,300 square feet of high-resistance concrete surface.
Dismantling and maintenance of 22 metal defenses.
Application of waterproof epoxy paint treatment to the concrete surface.

Given the above, the project is scheduled to commence on May 23rd, including the first 100 meters (first stage – pier closure) at the center of the pier, with an anticipated completion date of August 31st.

Costa Rica

The Costa Rican Electricity Institute have implemented preventive measures to mitigate the impact on Costa Rica’s electricity supply, due to phenomenon of El Niño. It is crucial for the electrical infrastructure to adapt to the intensity of this phenomenon to avoid devastating consequences for the regional economy. The rainfall deficit in their basins has reached an alarming -43% so far in the year 2024.

This percentage represents a significant variation compared to the average accumulated rainfall between December and April of 2024. It is imperative that additional measures be taken to address this climatic situation and ensure the energy and economic security of our region.

Line Ups & Industry news

For more information, please:

Puerto Cortés, 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.

Draft port restrictions as follows:

Pier 5: 478.5 meters length (Max allowed drafts 11 mts).
Pier 6: 350 meters length (Max allowed drafts 14 mts).

Acajutla, El Salvador

Waiting time is around 8-10 days for breakbulk vessels at pier C, for other piers 5-6 days. Berthing is subject to suitable marine/weather conditions and pilot criteria.

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.

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.

Puerto Plata

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

Forecasted conditions may be different to those experienced offshore.

Waiting time cannot be estimated but now both ports are congested.

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.

Caldera

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

Vessels can experience waiting times as follows:

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

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

MPP and dry-bulk carriers may be assigned to dock other berths subject to priorities vessel type as follows:

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