Cartagena

Size limits

LOA 366.55m, draught 13.1m, beam 51.2m,160,978DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 0.3m.

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

Approach

Approached from the W, passing S of Bancos de Salmedina (10°23'N 75°40'W), and entered through Bocachica, a channel dredged to depth 15m, width 150m, close S of Isla Tierra Bomba. Deep draught vessels initially enter through Bocachica and then use Canal Colonial, a channel which curves around the N side of Bocachica.

From the Outer Fairway Lightbuoy, the route leads between No 1 and 2 Lightbuoys and then between No 3 and 4 Lightbuoys, moored 0.4nm and 0.25nm WSW respectively, off the S point of Isla Tierra Bomba on which stands Fuerte San Fernando, (10°19.3'N 75°35.4'W), then; with positions relative to this point:

Between No 5 Lightbuoy, 0.2nm ESE and a beacon marking the N point of the island on which Fuente San Jose stands, 0.275nm SE; between No 6 and 7 Lightbuoys, 0.5nm ESE, S of No 9 Lightbuoy, (10° 19.093'N 75° 33.937'W), marking Bajo Carreya, with a least depth of 5.5m over it.

The bottom of the harbour is mainly soft mud and shoals with depths of up to 3.7m over them are easily distinguished as far as Banco Santa Cruz, (10°20'N 75°31'W).

Small Ships Channel: Red and green lit markers indicate entrance between Boca Grande and Tierra Bomba (official depth 2.43m but reportedly deeper than this at 3.2m).

Anchorages

There is ample space for anchoring up to 12 vessels.

Vessels awaiting a pilot may anchor NW or SW of the entrance to Bocachica.

Anchorage D: Good anchorage for vessels awaiting a berth in the inner harbour is available in an area centred 0.9nm SW of Punta Castillo Grande, depths of 24.3-26.7m.

Prohibited anchorage: Anchoring and all types of underwater activity are prohibited in the entrance to the inner harbour, between Punta Castillo Grande and Punta Manzanillo, 0.5nm ENE due to the existence of submarine power cables.

Restrictions

The max speed permitted when entering the bay is 14kts.

Tugs

Compulsory for berthing vessels of more than 2,000DWT in the inner harbour at Cartagena and at Mamonal Oil Terminal. There are four private tug companies, Coremar, Intertug, OMT and Serviport.

Charts and publications

BA 8211, 2434. Admiralty Pilot NP7A, NP286(7).

US 24509 (Cartagena Port area) and 24508, 24507, 24504, 24510 (for Cartagena Port and adjacent waters).

US Sailing Directions No 148 (Caribbean Sea, Volume II).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessel Agent should be used. ETA to be advised 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival.

ETA message to include vessel's name, ETA in local time, arrival draughts, number of crew including master and any special requirements such as additional tug, portside berthing, etc.

For the CONTECAR Terminal, vessels should advise ETA 72, 48, 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival, via the Agent.

Notice of readiness

To be tendered on arrival as stated in the Charter Party.

Health

Pratique is granted on arrival at anchorage or berth. It is not possible to apply by radio.

Vessel should be fumigated on deck when vessel arrives from any Caribbean, Central American or Venezuelan port.

Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Allowances:

No special allowances for officers and crew. The allowance is the same as that granted to other visitors to the country:

200 cigarettes and 50 cigars and up to 50g grammes of rolling/pipe tobacco.

2 bottles of alcohol per passenger.

A reasonable quantity of aftershaves/perfumes for personal use.

(Allowances may change at short notice).

Immigration: Passports are required for disembarking/embarking crew or passengers and for transit to the airport. Nationals from India and Nicaragua require a Colombian visa.

For crew leaving a vessel, onward air tickets are required together with a valid passport, visa, if necessary, and a letter from the ship's agent explaining the reason for repatriation.

Flags

Colombian courtesy flag is required in addition to normal Interco flags. Port clearance may be withheld for non compliance.

Notices and regulations

Traffic regulations: Vessels should not pass one another in Bocachica. Vessels entering the harbour should give way to vessels leaving. There is a traffic signal station on Isla Draga (10°18.8'N 075°34.7'W).

Restricted area: An area off the naval base, N of Punta Castillogrande (10°23.5'N 075°32.7'W) is reserved for vessels of the Colombian Navy. Permission to anchor must be obtained from the senior Naval officer present.

ISPS

Designated Authority: Direccion General Maritima.

Contact: Jefe Division de Gente de Mar y Naves.

Address: Transversal 41 No 27-50 CAN, Bogota, Colombia.

Tel: +57 1 220 0490

Fax: +57 1 222 5152

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.dimar.mil.co

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

Repairs

Repairs of all kinds carried out in Cartagena and the adjacent Mamonal area.

Cotecmar have two facilities in Cartagena: Mamonal, Tel: +57 5 668 5033 and Bocagrande (adjacent to the Navy Base) Tel: +57 5 665 2059.

Astivik SA have facilities at Carretera, Mamonal: Tel: 57 5 668 5018.

Khalela SA carry out repairs. Tel: 57 5 6564782.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available, supplied by barges.

Stores: Available.

Consult Vessel's Agent for further information.

Medical

Medical facilities available, 5.5km.

Red Cross Tel: +57 53 662 5311, Hospital Bocagrande Tel: +57 53 665 5270, Naval Hospital Tel: +57 53 665 3987.

Transport

Nearest airport: Cartagena Airport, 4km NE.

Nearest railway: Santa Marta 116km.

Nearest highway: 3.7km

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Situated on the Caribbean coast in the Bay of Cartagena.

The port

Cartagena is the largest and most secure harbour on the N coast of Colombia. Sheltered from all directions, the bay is 9nm in length and up to 4nm wide, SE of Isla Tierra Bomba.

An inner harbour, around the city, lies N of Punta Manzanillo and Castillo Grande, 10°24'N 075°32'W, a low spit covered with buildings. The port comprises the commercial port area in the N and E, with the naval base in the W.

To the south is the outer harbour with two container terminals and a multipurpose terminal for coal, containers and general cargo.

Exports include coffee, grain, oil products, vehicles, fruit and vegetables, nickel, resins and textiles. Imports include chemicals, food products, machinery, paper and other raw materials.

Traffic

Approx 24,194,000t of cargo, 4,143,000TEU and 2400 vessels are handled by the port annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Cartagena?

Pilotage is compulsory and available 24 hours.

What time zone is Cartagena in?

Local time at Cartagena is UTC−5. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Cartagena?

The deepest berth listed is at Manga Terminal Maritimo: 13.10 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Cartagena?

1025.

Which load line zone is Cartagena in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Cartagena?

The UN/LOCODE of Cartagena is COCTG.

What crews who called at Cartagena 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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