Port Watch Weekly #45 – NL Central America

Port Watch Weekly

week # 45

Caribbean Updates

Public Holidays

November 4 – Dominican Republic, Constitution Day
November 5 – Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Election Holiday
November 11 – Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Remembrance Day
Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, Saint Barthélemy, Armistice Day
Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Veterans Day
Sint Maarten, St. Maarten Day
November 16 – Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, Statia Day
November 18 – Haiti, Vertieres Battle and Armed Forces Day
November 19 – Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Discovery Day
November 25 – British Virgin Islands, Commemoration of the Great March of 1949
November 28 – Puerto Rico, US. Virgin Islands, Thanksgiving Day
November 29 – Turks and Caicos, Thanksgiving Day
November 30 – Barbados, Independence Day

Tropical Storm Rafael

Tropical Storm Rafael is rapidly intensifying and is expected to reach major hurricane status before making landfall in western Cuba, according to the National Hurricane Center’s (NHC) Wednesday morning advisory.

As of 7:00 AM EST on Wednesday, November 6, Rafael was located near 21.0°N, 81.6°W, moving northwest at 14 mph. The storm’s central pressure had dropped to 964 mb, with maximum sustained winds reaching 100 mph.

Rafael will bring heavy rainfall to the western Caribbean through early Thursday, with western Cuba expecting 4 to 8 inches of rain, and isolated higher totals up to 12 inches in mountainous areas. The NHC warns that this rainfall could lead to flash flooding and mudslides in vulnerable regions.

By mid- to late week, Rafael’s rain bands are forecasted to reach northern Florida and adjacent areas in the Southeast U.S., with 1 to 3 inches of rain anticipated for the Lower and Middle Florida Keys.

Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin in the Florida Keys on Wednesday.

Although forecasters remain uncertain about Rafael’s exact path once it enters the Gulf of Mexico, they expect the storm to weaken over the Gulf’s cooler waters.

Kindly find below Caribbean port status:

– Kingston port: port are now open as of 0600 hrs this morning.

– Freeport: Buckeye Bahamas Hub Terminal remains in port condition closed due to adverse marine conditions as per assessment of 0600 hrs this morning.

No other warning received.

Buckeye Bahamas Hub Terminal Remains In Port Condition Closed Due To Adverse Marine Conditions

Please be advised that port status remains in port condition closed Tuesday November 5th , 2024 due to unfavorable marine conditions. Note that we are presently experiencing 20+ MPH winds with seas of 3-8ft swells. Be advised that all off-port activities such as bunkering and lightering operations will be suspended until improvement of weather conditions .

Note weather conditions is predicted to be favorable not until November 8th , 2024. We will continue to be in close contact with local MET office and terminal for further updates.

November 4th , 2024.

18:00hrs HRS Buckeye went into port closed.

November 4th , 2024.

18:00hrs HRS Suspended all OPL activities.

Tropical Storm Warning Now In Effect For Jamaica

Please be advised that Jamaica is currently experiencing the effects of Tropical Rafael as such the Port of Kingston. Responses will be delayed.

QUOTE

Harbours and Port services such as Pilotage and Towing services will be suspended on November 4th at 1600 hours (4:00PM). These services will resume as soon as it is safe to do so after the passage of the storm system as advised by the Met Office of Jamaica and or

ODPEM. Where these services have started before the stated time of suspension, the maneuvers are to be completed as soon as possible to facilitate timely securing of personnel and property.

Port facilities are to complete their preparations in accordance with their Standard Operating Procedures for disaster management and to advise vessels alongside to do the same in accordance with their Ship Management Systems.

UNQUOTE

We suggest vessel arriving finding safe anchorage in the meantime, we anticipate reopening by AM/6th.

Partner with us for Shipyard Services at Martinique

As part of our commitment to provide comprehensive support to our customers, we are pleased to announce our services as ship agents at the Martinique shipyard.

Our extensive network and local expertise allow us to facilitate all aspects of your vessel’s maintenance, from logistics to coordination with qualified professionals at the shipyard.

Let us help you streamline your operations and ensure that your vessels are well cared for!

Central America

Public Holidays

November 4 – Dominica, National Day of Community Service
Panama, Flag Day
November 5 – Dominica, Public Holiday
Panama, Colon Day
November 10 – Panama, Los Santos Uprising Day
November 11 – Panama, Los Santos Uprising Day
November 19 – Belize, Garifuna Settlement Day
November 28 – Panama, Independence Day

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 30^th, 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 25^th.

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 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.