Bahia Blanca

Size limits

Harbour: Draught 13.7m, LOA 299.98m, beam 52m, 95,308DWT.

Offshore: Draught 12.2m, LOA 229.16m, BCM 130m, 74,999DWT.

Water density

Varies with state of tide and for different berths. Readings up to 1028 have been reported.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

The tidal regime may be considered as semi diurnal. The following table defines the values for Ingeniero White port in different situations throughout the year.

Mean level is +2.59m; reduction plane is 2.59m below Mean level.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

The access channel to the port starts at the Rincon Lightbuoy located at 39°23.9'S 061°29.1'W. It is red and white and is fitted with a radar reflector and Racon. After the Rincon Buoy, the course to be followed is indicated by buoys numbered in ascending order starting from No 1 (white light mid channel buoy) (39°22.4'S 061°31.1'W) and ending at green Buoy No 32 (38°48.1'S 062°15.2'W) at the entrance of Ingeniero White port. The total number of 62 buoys in the channel.

The area close to the red and white Buoy No 11 (39°04.7'S 061°49.6'W) is identified as the pilot boarding station.

The length of the channel is 97km and the min width 190m. The channel is navigable by ships up to 13.7m draught with suitable tide.

Channel depths:

Main Channel (Buoy 4 - Buoy 10) - 12.80m.

Toro Channel (Buoy 12 - Buoy 16) - 12.80m.

Interior Channel (Buoy 22 - Buoy 31) - 12.20m.

Port limits

Both points are linked by an imaginary line that follows the depth contour of 10m.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Messages should be made to Prefectura Naval Argentina when the ship enters the access channel at Rincon Buoy and when passing Buoy No 04. VHF Ch 12 callsign "L2N" must be used.

Bahia Blanca Vessel Traffic System (VTS): Co-ordinates safe and efficient transit of vessels preventing accidents and damage to property and environment. It is based on radar surveillance covering the entire area from Rincon Lightbuoy up to inner ports. VTS also informs predicted vessel movements, hazardous to navigation, tides, navigation aids, discrepancies and meteorological information. Bahia Blanca VTS maintains continuous watch on VHF Ch 73, 12, monitoring traffic 24 hours a day. It is operated by the Consorcio de Gestion del Puerto de Bahia Blanca (Port Authority). Prefectura de Bahia Blanca has a repeater according to navigation safety regulations.

Anchorages

Alfa Zone: Vessels shall maintain a free corridor of 500m along the channel axis.

Bravo Zone: The same applies as for Alfa Zone. Used by vessels leaving port with a draught in excess of 10.0m.

Charlie Zone: At the S end of the zone is a 500m wide manoeuvring area.

Delta Zone: For vessels with draughts over 10.0m which have to cross the Canal del Toro or tankers waiting to berth in Punta Ancla and Punta Ciguena.

Outer Anchorage: Waiting area for inbound vessels.

The Ingeniero White port area is located from approx Buoy No 32 up to Galvan port.

Restrictions

Formerly, an UKC of not less than 10% of the static draught was required at all times. However it is now reported that all berths at Bahia Blanca are NAABSA.

Maximum speed within the port area is 3kts.

Night time navigation through the Bahia Blanca main channel is no longer authorised in the leg between Channel Entry Buoy and Buoy No 11.

Charts and publications

BA 557, 1331, 3329, 3755. Argentine charts H-200, H-211, H-212, H-254, H-255, H-256, H-257, H-258 and H-259. US charts 23030, 23121, 23122, 23124, 23126, 23128. Admiralty Pilot NP5, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

The initial ETA is to be sent at Lightbuoy No 11, 4 days prior to the vessel's arrival. A further ETA is to be sent, confirming ETA, 24 hours before expiration of the first ETA.

A third message is to be sent immediately after arrival at the anchorage area. The messages must be sent to Consorcio de Gestion del Puerto de Bahia Blanca. The ETA messages must include the following information: Name of ship, length, beam, depth, arrival draught and estimated departure draught, NT and GT, origin and destination, type of operation, terminal to visit and estimated cargo to be worked.

Communications

Radio Bahia Blanca "LPW", R/T on 2, 4, 6, 8 12/13MHz and VHF Ch 16, 26, 27. Monte Hermoso Radio, Ch 16 and 28 (0800-2359hrs). Bahia Blanca Prefectura Naval Argentina "L2H", W/T on 500kHz, R/T on 2, 4MHz, Ch 09, 12, 14, 16, 77 throughout 24 hours.

VHF: Port: Ch 12, 14 and 16.

VTS: Ch 12, 73 throughout 24 hours. Vessels are requested to call "L2N" on Ch 16 and 12 before entrance to the channel.

Pilots: ESEM S.A: Ch 12, 16, 77. Tel: +54 291 457 1334.

Email: [email protected].

DONMAR S.A: Ch 12, 16, 77. Tel: 54 291 457 0342.

Tugs: Ch 08.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered in accordance with Charter Party terms.

This is alongside if berth is free on arrival or on anchoring in the outer roads if the berth is occupied or if charterer, for any reason, does not accept vessel alongside.

If loading at more than one port, NOR should be presented at first loading port only, unless otherwise stated in the relevant Charter Party or contract; notwithstanding that the Master is obliged to keep agents/charterers well informed of progress and position whilst shifting between ports.

Documents

Cargo Manifests or In Ballast Declaration: Cargo Manifests or a Ballast Manifest have to be presented on arrival but these are normally dealt with by the agent, on behalf of the Master. In the case of Buenos Aires, a computerised Manifest for all ports of call is transmitted directly from the agent's office to the Customs House, the "Maria" system being used.

In all other cases, an indexed manifest, in the prescribed form, is presented to the Customs Officer attending the vessel on arrival. Notwithstanding the above, at outside ports the Master is also required to present up to 4 manifests on arrival. This usually refers to vessels carrying bulk cargoes such as fertilisers.

Health

Pratique should be applied for at least 3 working days prior to arrival. The pratique message can be passed to the ship's agent by telex of fax for onward transmission to the Port Health Authorities.

Free pratique is only granted after Sanidad (Port Health) officer attends on arrival. This visit does not normally prevent the commencement of cargo operations.

Cholera: The salient points of Ministry of Health and Social Security regulation No 1333 of 1.12.92, affecting vessels arriving, are in Country section.

Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates: To obtain a new Ship Sanitation Control Certificate with fumigation, a minimum of 30 hours is required.

If Ship Sanitation Control Certificate expires on route, or is due to expire within a few days, exemptions for 6 months can be obtained if applied for between 0700 to 1300hrs, Mon to Fri. Outside these times, Port Health will grant an extension for 30 days.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: The daily allowance is 40 cigarettes and 0.25 bottle of spirits. For non compliance a fine of from 1-5 times the value of the goods plus duties on any extra cigarettes/spirits above the given limit.

Immigration: An Immigration officer attends onboard to stamp Crew Shore Passes and Passenger Landing Cards. The crew require an Argentine Shore Pass (fichas) on which appear a thumb print and photograph as well as personal details. If they are not already onboard they are prepared on the vessel's entry. A photographer can attend onboard. The Master, in the ETA message, should state how many crew members require shore passes. Passengers require passports and landing cards.

There are no restrictions for either crew or passengers to proceed ashore with the above mentioned documents.

Flags

The national flag of Argentina is to be flown from the highest point on the vessel from sunrise to sunset. A fine for non compliance is an unspecified amount.

It is important to fly the "Q" flag on entering port until free pratique is granted by the Port Health officer attending onboard. Fines for non compliance.

Notices and regulations

Transmission of all SECOSENA messages is via MF or HF radio.

Certificates of competency: The Coastguard (PNA) has recently been asking to see all deck, engine and radio officers' certificates of competency. They must be valid and acceptable to the country under whose flag the vessel is registered. This refers in particular to vessels sailing under flags of convenience.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Prefectura Naval Argentina.

Contact person: General Prefect, Prefecto Nacional Naval.

Address: Av Eduardo Madero 235, piso 2, 1106 Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Tel: +54 11 4318 7521/7522/7523

Fax: +54 11 4314 0317.

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www. prefecturanaval.gov.ar

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

All kinds of ship repairs can be carried out in Bahia Blanca. Diving companies are available for underwater repairs and surveys.

Dry docks

Drydock facilities, at Puerto Belgrano, are as follows: No 1, 215m x 22m; No 2, 205m x 35m.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at berth or water barge.

Bunkering: Available.

Crew change

It is possible to repatriate crews.

Transport

Nearest airport: Bahia Blanca airport is situated approx 10km from the centre of Bahia Blanca. There are no international services but there are several daily flights to Buenos Aires and other destinations within the country.

Nearest railway: Bahia Blanca. Passenger connections with Buenos Aires.

Working hours

Mon-Fri 0700-1900hrs, Sat 0700-1300hrs, other periods are worked as overtime. Stevedores (6 hours shifts) Mon-Fri 0700-1300hrs, 1300-1900hrs, Sat 0700-1300hrs, all other periods are overtime.

Where it is

The port of Bahia Blanca is located in Buenos Aires province, 650km S of Buenos Aires city.

The port

The access to the port is through a 97km long and 190m wide channel, that allows the navigation of vessels up to 13.7m draught.

Ingeniero White is the principal export outlet for grain produced in the S areas of the Buenos Aires Province and La Pampa Territory and also for shipments of fruit from the Rio Negro Valley which were once moved via Buenos Aires.

There has also been a large increase in the movement of fish, mostly deep frozen, over the general cargo wharves of Ingeniero White.

At Punta Ancla and Punta Ciguena, there are two SBM's used by tankers to discharge crude oil to Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales SA (YPF) refinery at La Plata, via pipeline.

At Puerto Galvan there are extensive facilities for the discharge of tankers; oil importing companies have their tanks near the port, connected by pipelines to the berths, with crude, petroleum products, regassed LNG and liquid gasses handled.

Puerto Belgrano is the principal Argentine Naval Base, located at the mouth of the bay estuary and consists of an ante port and basin at the end at which there are 2 large drydocks and repair sheds, available to commercial vessels.

Traffic

Approx 17,000,000t of cargo, 10,000TEU and 850 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Bahia Blanca?

Pilotage is compulsory.

What time zone is Bahia Blanca in?

Local time at Bahia Blanca is UTC−3. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Bahia Blanca?

The deepest berth listed is at Compania Mega Terminal: 13.71 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Bahia Blanca?

Varies with state of tide and for different berths.

Which load line zone is Bahia Blanca in?

Summer.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Bahia Blanca?

The UN/LOCODE of Bahia Blanca is ARBHI.

What crews who called at Bahia Blanca say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

Read and add tips for Bahia Blanca →