PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Cayo Arcas Terminal
Pilot
updated Jul 2019- Cayos Arcas Terminal pilot boarding place Pilot boards20°07.8′N 091°59.7′W
Pilotage is compulsory and is available Mon-Sat 0800-1800hrs local time and Sun 0800-1200hrs local time. Pilot boards approx 2.5nm SW of the platform (20°11.4'N 091°59.5'W). Pilots can be contacted on VHF Ch 16.
Vessels to be moored will be boarded by a PEMEX Mooring Master in the anchorage area. The Mooring Master will advise the ship's Master on approaches to the SPM, mooring and unmooring, connecting and disconnecting hoses and all other operations within the terminal area.
The vessel's Master or qualified deck officers must be on the bridge at all times while the vessel is being manoeuvred. PEMEX shall not be liable for any damage or injury that may result from the advice or assistance given or made by the mooring master while aboard or in the vicinity of such vessel.
Key data
updated Dec 2024Size limits
Offshore: LOA 332.97m, BCM 170m, draught 22.5m, 298,991DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cayo Arcas Terminal | 22.50 m | 333 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Mar 2022Approach
FSO 'Ta'kuntah' is positioned in the Cantarell Field, which has 35 platforms. There are SBM's in the vicinity that also service the this field.
Tugs
Tugs and/or launches may assist in berthing vessels and are under direct control and supervision of the Mooring Master.
Mooring
The FSO has 10 mooring lines with structural capacity for a fully laden vessel. Shuttle tankers are berthed either alongside - on either side - or astern in tandem. Two tankers can be handled at the same time.
Charts and publications
BA 2626, 1307. Admiralty Pilot NP69A, NP286(7).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jul 2019ETA and pre-arrival notices
Further notification of ETA is required 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival.
Communications
The following coastal radio stations are recommended:
West coast Mexico: International station and Mobile Radio (USA).
East coast Mexico: Mobile, Alabama Radio.
The stations work throughout 24 hours.
Inmarsat communication is possible.
VHF: As soon as ships are within 60nm of Cayo Arcas Terminal, communications will be on Ch 09 as this channel is constantly monitored. Once contact has been established on Ch 09, further communication should be conducted on either Ch 14, 13, 12 or 08.
Notice of readiness
Tendered in accordance with the Charter Party.
Documents
Documents are received by the Harbour Master, Health Inspector, Immigration Authorities, Customs Authorities, Agricultural Inspector. There are no special forms for completion.
Health
Pratique will be granted by the port authorities once they arrive onboard the vessel. Free pratique is not granted by radio.
Vessels arriving from South America have to be fumigated.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificate (SSCC) can be renewed.
Customs and immigration
Allowances for officers and crew do not exist for personal possessions which must be kept onboard. Penalties for non-compliance will result in confiscation of the goods and fines.
Immigration: Formalities depend on the nationality of the crew. Nationalities that are not restricted in Mexico can proceed ashore provided they have a shore pass which can be issued by the port agent upon request of the Master. Joining and off signing crew members have to be declared 24 hours prior to the time and date of arrival/departure.
Vessel is cleared on arrival and departure.
Notices and regulations
Cargo documents have to be in the port in order for the vessel to be programmed.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU.
Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Director General for Merchant Navy/Office of National Protection of Maritime Ports.
Position: Director General for Merchant Navy
Address: Avenida Nuevo Leon 210, 3rd Floor, Colonia Hipodromo Condesa, 06100 Piso Deleg. Cuauhtemoc, Mexico, D.F.
Tel: +52 55 5265 3216.
Fax: +52 55 5265 3215.
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.sct.gob.mx/e-mar
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Dec 2024Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Not Available.
Bunker: Not available.
Stores: Stores can be delivered on a Friday but only with 5 days prior notice.
Medical
At Cayo Arcas Terminal medical facilities are not available except for emergencies requiring hospitalisation. In such cases the patient will be transferred by boat from the tanker to the pumping platform, hoisted to the upper deck of the platform and then flown by helicopter to Ciudad del Carmen, 178km. The ship owner will be charged for all expenses incurred.
Crew change
Possible with the use of helicopter.
Transport
Nearest airport: Minatitlan International Airport.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Cayo Arcas Terminal
updated Dec 2024Where it is
Cayo Arcas Terminal is situated 3nm S of the Cayo Arcas islands in the Bay of Campeche and consists of two SPM's. Other facilities include FSO 'Ta'kuntah' (located in the Cantarell Field) and FPSO 'Yuum K'ak' Naab' (located in the Ku-Maloob-Zaap (KMZ) field), both of which are approx. 64nm N of Ciudad del Carmen in the Bay of Campeche, off the Yucatan peninsula, Gulf of Mexico. The FSO and FPSO are separated by 13nm of water.
The port
The Cayo Arcas Terminal consists of two SPM's that load crude oil to tankers. FPSO 'Yuum K'ak' Naab' fall under this port entry due to its close proximity to the SPM's, and are operated by PEMEX.
Traffic
Approx 20,000,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Cayo Arcas Terminal
Where does the pilot board at Cayo Arcas Terminal?
The pilot boards at Cayos Arcas Terminal pilot boarding place, 20°07.8′N 091°59.7′W.
What time zone is Cayo Arcas Terminal in?
Local time at Cayo Arcas Terminal is UTC−6. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Cayo Arcas Terminal?
The deepest berth listed is at Cayo Arcas Terminal: 22.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Cayo Arcas Terminal?
1025.
Which load line zone is Cayo Arcas Terminal in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Cayo Arcas Terminal?
Port State Control at Cayo Arcas Terminal: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Cayo Arcas Terminal?
The UN/LOCODE of Cayo Arcas Terminal is MXCAT.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Cayo Arcas Terminal 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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A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.