Bajo Grande Refinery

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 159.98m, beam 25.6m, draught 11m, 23,257DWT.

Offshore: LOA 249.97m, draught 10.82m, 114,821DWT.

Water density

1003-1006.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 0.5m.

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

Approach

Entry to the terminal is made via the Bajo Grande.

Inbound vessels must leave the main channel between buoys B-86 and B-88 when approaching the terminal.

Caution: Extensive changes to the dredged channels, depths, submarine pipelines and aids to navigation have taken place in the vicinity of Bajo Grande. Mariners are advised to navigate with caution and local knowledge is required.

Anchorages

Anchorage is permitted at Maracaibo Bay for inward clearance and outbound if the vessel must wait for high tide.

Restrictions

The use of anchors is prohibited at Berth No. 02 as submarine pipelines are laid from the platforms to a short pier 1.25nm W.

Max airdraught 42m (Maracaibo Gen Urdaneta Bridge).

Tugs

Compulsory, two tugs required for berthing/unberthing. The terminal provides two tugs with 2,000hp each for mooring and unmooring. A third tug is provided for vessels over 60,000t. Vessels sailing with the maximum permitted draught must wait for the tide at the designated anchorage area in Maracaibo Bay.

Charts and publications

BA 1521, 2194, 1966. Admiralty Pilot NP7A, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA to be sent 72 hours prior to vessel's arrival to agent. Additional ETA's to be sent 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival or if a difference in ETA of more than 6 hours occurs after the last ETA message.

ETA message should include the following information: ETA at pilot station, Master's name, last port, ballast condition, last 3 cargoes, arrival/departure draught and arrival/sailing displacement.

Communications

It is recommended to use Mobile Radio, Curacao Radio, Portishead Radio or Maritex for passing messages. Inmarsat communication is possible.

VHF: Ch 16.

Notice of readiness

NOR is tendered in accordance with the Charter Party. The normal place for tendering NOR is on arrival at the anchorage or all fast at the berth.

Documents

Customs and Harbour Master's clearance are prepared and delivered onboard by the agent prior to vessel's departure.

Cargo documents such as Bills of Lading, Quality and Quantity Certificates, Certificates of Origin, etc are prepared/released by terminal operators. These documents are presented to the Master prior to departure for his signature.

Health

Pratique and Customs clearance can only be granted on arrival either at anchorage or on completion of berthing.

Vessels coming from ports which have cholera will not be allowed to deballast overboard. A sanitary inspection is performed at the pilot station prior to entering port.

Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: An allowance is made for approx 5 days of cigarettes and alcohol out of bond. The bond is sealed after the vessel's clearance. Additional allowances may be made on request to the Customs authorities. Bonded items are not allowed to be taken ashore. Penalty is confiscation and a possible fine.

Immigration: Issue shore passes that are valid for 72 hours.

Flags

The national ensign of Venezuela should be displayed in port. Vessels not complying will receive orders from the National Guard to stop cargo operations. A written report will be requested prior to cargo operations recommencing.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Instituto Nacional de los Espacios Acuaticos.

Position: Gerente de Puertos.

Address: Av Rio Orinoco, Urb Las Mercedes, EDF Inea Piso 3, Caracas, Venezuela.

Tel: +58 212 909 1540

Fax: +58 212 909 1540

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.inea.gob.ve

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

ISPS Compliance: The US Coast Guard has reported that a vessel arriving at US ports in one of its five subsequent calls from ports in Venezuela will be subject to increased attention and are more likely to be boarded and inspected due to their country's failure to maintain effective anti terrorism measures. To ensure compliance with USCG regulations masters must increase vessel security to equivalent of Marsec Level 2 standards while in Venezuelan ports.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Hospital General Del Sur (10km).

Transport

Nearest airport: La Chinita International, Maracaibo (11km).

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Bajo Grande is situated on the W shore of Lake Maracaibo.

The port

The port handles crude oils, refined products, fuel oils, gas and diesel oils.

What are the pilot arrangements at Bajo Grande Refinery?

Compulsory. Pilot boards at Guaranao in position 11°42'N 070°13'W.

What time zone is Bajo Grande Refinery in?

Local time at Bajo Grande Refinery is UTC−4. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Bajo Grande Refinery?

The deepest berth listed is at Bajo Grande (Pdvsa) Gas: 11.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Bajo Grande Refinery?

1003-1006.

Which load line zone is Bajo Grande Refinery in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Bajo Grande Refinery?

The UN/LOCODE of Bajo Grande Refinery is VEBJV.

What crews who called at Bajo Grande Refinery 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.

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