Port Watch Weekly
week # 26
Caribbean Updates
Barbados, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and Grenada, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago
Hurricane Beryl
A hurricane warning was issued for the island of Barbados, while a hurricane watch was placed on Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada. Hurricane Beryl is projected to track northwest across the Caribbean this week, potentially passing through Jamaica and approaching southern Mexico.
A major hurricane is classified as Category 3 or higher, with sustained winds of at least 111 mph. Currently, Beryl is categorized as a Category 1 hurricane.
The storm is expected to bring up to six inches of rainfall to Barbados and neighboring islands, with a high surf warning in effect for waves reaching up to 13 feet. Additionally, a storm surge of up to seven feet is forecasted.
The storm’s approach to the southeast Caribbean follows major flooding in the capital of Trinidad and Tobago, Port-of-Spain, caused by a separate weather event.
Beryl’s path through the Caribbean remains uncertain. Beryl will move into the eastern Caribbean Sea Monday.
Caribbean
Tropical Depression or Storm
Threat Time: Ongoing through 1800 UTC Thursday. Please see current port closures and pending conditions. The US GULF weather will be impacted until Thursday or Friday am.
Suspended Pilot Boardings US Gulf Weekly Summary
Sabine Pass Pilots Nederland
June 18 1905 – SABINE PILOT SUSPEND ALL INBOUND/OUTBOUND TRAFFIC DUE TO ROUGH SEAS AND HIGH WINDS
Brazos Pilots P66
18:36:00 Jun 18 The Brazos Pilots Association have suspended all ship traffic due to weather conditions. The Brazos Pilots are monitoring the condition continuously and will provide an update when the condition status changes.
Houston Targa / EHT
Houston ship channel closed to all traffic 1905/18th June.
Winds:
Gale force winds are abundant to the northeast of the system and will remain robust across the Gulf of Mexico as PTC works in tandem with strong high pressure across the Eastern Seaboard, they will remain across much of the region regardless of tropical designation.
Observational Perspective: Potential Tropical Cyclone One continues to ominously rotate across the southwest Gulf of Mexico. One has yet to become a tropical cyclone due to the fact that thunderstorms have yet to develop atop the system, and the strongest winds associated are not near the center but at a few hundred miles northeast. Showers and storms have attempted to consolidate across the center of the storm but One remains disorganized and a broad area of low pressure. Maximum sustained winds are estimated at 35 knots.
Central America
El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras
Tropical Storm “Alberto”
The National Hurricane Center has confirmed the formation of the first Tropical Storm of the season, named Alberto. Strong rains, coastal flooding, and gusty winds are forecasted along the coasts of Texas and northeastern Mexico until Thursday.
The storm, in its formation and movement towards Mexican lands, will bring more moisture, causing rains in El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras.
Additional details can be consulted in the attached Caribbean Flash!
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
Port declared “CONGESTED”. Waiting time is around 20 days for breakbulk vessels at pier B & C.
Pier A-2 is out of service for maintenance.
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.
- Since June 14, until this day there is bad weather, according to weather forecast the bad weather will continue for the next 3 days.
- According to information from the port authorities, container ships will be the priority as long as the bad weather continues. All container vessels will work with only one working group.
- Pier B-6 will have maintenance for fenders after sail of MV Aliaga Express.
- Vessels may change as per port consideration to B-4 or C.
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.
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
Waiting time cannot be estimated at this point due to severe port congestion.
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, Guatemala
Due to rain and congestion, ships are waiting for 20-25 days at anchorage for berthing.
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.
LOA restriction – Berths: 1 – 4 -200 MT long each and accommodate as per LOA availability.
- Container arriving on daily basis with priority.
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:
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.
- 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 PRIORITYPier 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
Weather Forecast
Forecasted conditions may be different to those experienced offshore.