Port Watch Weekly
week # 40
Caribbean Updates
Public Holidays
- October 7 – Saint Lucia, Thanksgiving Day
- October 9 – Saint Barthélemy, Abolition Day
- October 10 – Cuba, Independence Day
Curaçao, Curaçao Day - October 14 – Bahamas, National Heroes Day
Puerto Rico, Columbus Day
Saint Maarten, Constitution Day
Turks and Caicos Islands, National Heritage Day
US Virgin Islands, Columbus Day - October 17 –Haiti, Independence Day
- October 19 –Grenada, National Heroes Day
- October 21 –British Virgin Islands, Heroes and Foreparents Day
Jamaica, National Heroes Day - October 25 – Grenada, Thanksgiving Day
- October 27 – Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Independence Day
- October 28 – Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Independence Day
- October 31 –Trinidad and Tobago, Diwali
Freeport, Bahamas
Marine weather forecast update for Freeport, Bahamas on SEPTEMBER 30TH 2024
Be advised that a due to improved weather conditions, Buckeye Bahamas Hub upgraded to Port Restricted @2118 September 28, 2024, EDT and Port Open @0118 September 29, 2024 EDT.
Please see the attached & below weather report for September 30th, 2024.
***EXPECT HARDLY ANY MARINE CONCERNS IN THIS FORECAST PACKAGE OUTSIDE ANY CONVECTION***
Buckeye Bahamas Hub Terminal – OPEN
Equinor South Riding Point Terminal – UNDER REPAIRS
Offshore Lightering- Weather Conditions MONITORED for STS operations at Offshore, Freeport, Bahamas.
For additional information, please reach out to our operators at caribops@nortonlillycarib.com
LNG Bunkering Service at the Grand Bahama Anchorage
As part of our constant search for innovative end-to-end solutions to our customers’ needs, we remain vigilant to new, cleaner, and more efficient marine bunkering solutions in the region through our extensive and knowledgeable network. We are therefore delighted to share our new state-of-the-art LNG bunkering agency service in Freeport (Bahamas).
We invite you to lead the way towards a more sustainable maritime industry. Contact us to coordinate today with our operations experts.
Central America
Public Holidays
- October 1 – Honduras, Semana Morazánica
- October 2 – Honduras, Semana Morazánica
- October 3- Honduras, Semana Morazánica
- October 4- Honduras, Semana Morazánica
- October 5- Honduras, Semana Morazánica
- October 11 – Guatemala, Bank Holiday
- October 12 – Belize, Indigenous Peoples’ Resistance Day
Guatemala, Día de la Raza - October 20 – Guatemala, Revolution Day
- October 21 – Guatemala, Bank Holiday
Line Ups & Industry news
For more information, please:
Acajutla, El Salvador
Port declared “CONGESTED”. Waiting time is around 20-25 days for breakbulk vessels at pier B & C.
The repair of pier “A “ is divided into 3 stages, we are in Phase 1, (100 meters /A-2), it ends approximately on October 30th, the 2nd. Phase (100 meters A-1) will begin in November and end in January 2025, and the 3rd. Phase (133 meters center of pier A). Complete closure of the pier is expected to end by March 25th.
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:
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 is 5-10 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.
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).
Weather Forecast
Forecasted conditions may be different to those experienced offshore.