Charco Azul Terminal

1. Charco Azul pilot boarding place Pilot boards08°11.0′N 082°49.0′W

Size limits

Max LOA 339.76m, beam 60m, draught 22.55m and 321,300DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 2.3m. MHWS 3.65m; MHWN 2.31m. Strong currents in a N/S direction have been experienced close to the berths but they are unpredictable. On the Pacific coast, a large tide may be experienced which can range between 15-18ft.

Waves: On average the wave height may exceed 3.9ft throughout the year.

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

Approach

Approaches to the terminal are from the S to the SE. Depths vary alongside the seaward edge of Berth No 01 from 26.0-32.0m and then decreases drastically to less than 20.0m alongside either side of the berth upon heading more than 15m towards the shoreline. It is worth noting that S of the berth, the depths decrease further with soundings of 1.6m and 5.4m being found 43nm and 65nm, respectively, SW of the loading platform. Berth No 02 on the other hand has depths that vary between 28.0m and 32.0m alongside the seaward edge of the berth. The depths decrease further to less than 15.0m after heading more than 17nm towards the shoreline from the seaward berth on either side.

Traffic schemes and VTS

No regulated traffic system is in place, however, it is routinely followed that outgoing vessels are given priority over incoming vessels.

Restrictions

A 500m safety zone comes into effect during cargo operations at the terminal. As a result, all equipment must be intrinsically safe and certain objects are prohibited including; mobile phone, pagers, naked light.

In the event that swell conditions create vessel movements which raises the concern to the safety of mooring and cargo operations, then operations will be suspended and loading arms disconnected.

Wind restrictions: There will be no berthing operations in wind conditions that exceed 10m/s or it is forecasted to be more than 15m/s. No cargo operations will take place in winds that exceed 15m/s, except in emergency situations. If the weather is on the borderline, then the lines may remain connected however they should be drained empty. During cargo operations, winds that exceed 15m/s will be halted and the arm will be drained. For vessels ready to clear the berths and the winds exceed 22m/s, they must be aware that the moorings will not hold the vessel alongside. PTP control will provide instructions and tugs will be called on standby.

Visibility: In the event that the visibility is less than the vessel's LOA and under 50,000DWT, the berthing/unberthing will be suspended. All vessels over 50,000DWT may sail and berth if the visibility is at least 1.0nm.

Storms: All cargo operations will be halted for electrical storms, whether an IG and/or vapour control system is in use. All tank openings, tank-venting systems (including IG mast riser isolating valve) and manifold valves must be closed.

Note: The depths are unsurveyed and as a result the depths included may be more shallow and as a result should be avoided.

Tugs

Tugs are to be ordered at least 4hrs in advance however may be mobilised 1hr in advance. Both tugs are 5,000BHP. Tugboat's line is used for towing. When working tugs alongside, overboard outlets will be closed.

Mooring

Mooring operations require the use of tugs. On approach to the berths at a distance of 1nm the vessel must maintain a speed of 1kts, once the vessel is 0.5nm from the berths they must reduce their speed to 0.5kts. Finally once the vessel is within 0.5nm from the berths, then the vessel must maintain a speed of 0.2kts. It is worth noting that the final approach to the berths, that the speed of the vessel will be constantly monitored by Master and fed back to the Pilot.

Berth No 01 is provided with four mooring and breast dolphins as well as 1 triple hook per mooring dolphin and 2 double hooks per breast dolphin. Berth No 02 is provided with 6 mooring dolphins and four breast dolphins as well as 1 triple hook per mooring dolphin and 2 double hooks per breast dolphin. Berth No 01 is equipped with pivoting timber-faced fenders on the breasting dolphins. The outer dolphins are approx 112m apart and are equipped with double-quick release hooks and power capstans. Whereas the two inner dolphins are spaced approx 66m apart and equipped with the same double-quick release hooks and power capstans. The mooring dolphins for both berths are equipped with three quick release hooks and power capstans. Berth No 02 is equipped with pivoting timber-faced fenders on two breast dolphins and Yokohama pneumatic Fenders on the two remaining breast dolphins. The two outer dolphins are spaced approx 105m apart and are equipped with double quick release hooks and power capstans. Whereas the two inner dolphins are approx 65m 216 apart and equipped with the same are double quick release hooks and power capstans. The six mooring dolphins for Berth No 02 There are six mooring are equipped with 3 each quick release hooks and power capstans.

Manifold: The loading arm size requires the vessel's manifolds to be a min of 12" for Berth No 01 and 16" for Berth No 02. Vessels over 250,000DWT are accepted only if the machinery and mooring leads allow an efficient bow and stern mooring line pattern plus bow to manifold distance. The preferred flange spacing fore and aft is 10’-10’-10’ (or less) between centres. It is worth noting that in no case can the distance be less than 5’ 3” - 3’ 7” - 5’ 3”. For Berth No 01 and 02 the vertical distance from water level to the centreline of the manifold must not exceed 22m.

Charts and publications

BA 2493, 2496, 1020. Admiralty Pilot NP8, NP286(7).

Communications

PTP contact info

VHF: Ch 13, 14 (working channel), 16 (PTP Control)

Call sign: PTP Control

Telephone: + +507 770 7261; +507 770 7246 (ext. 310)

Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Pilots contact info

VHF: Ch 11, 12, 13, 14

Telephone: + 507 6616 3755 (mobile); +507 770 7246 (ext. 310)

Email: [email protected]

Tugs contact info

VHF: Ch 11, 12, 13, 14, 16

Port Operators (Panama City) contact info

Telephone: + 507 2637 777

Facsimile: + 507 2639 949

Email: [email protected]

Port Operators contact info

Telephone: +507 7756 513

Facsimile: +505 7754 958

Communication with agents: Vessels may contact their agents by using Ch 16 (using bridge set) and shifting to a working channel other than Ch 11, 13, 14.

Communications while at dock: The terminal will provide a portable radio for the use of the vessel's person in charge of petroleum and ballast transfer operations.

The person in charge must maintain the radio in their possession at all times and it must not be changed to any other channel unless instructed to do so by "PTP Control".

The dock hand is equipped with a portable radio on the cargo working channel.

A third radio is permanently installed in the dock shed.

All communications are conducted in English.

Notice of readiness

Nothing in these rules will interfere with any business arrangements made by PTP and the user in respect of lay time, demurrage and other contractual obligations.

Health

In accordance with standard international practice, vessels are required to display International Code of Signals flag for vessels requiring free pratique and these should be displayed until pratique has been granted.

The Autoridad Portuaria Nacional (APN) permits employees of PTP to board vessels (before vessel receives free pratique) for the purposes of setting loading arms.

Discharge of cargo is not permitted and employees of PTP are not permitted in vessel's accommodation areas before clearance is granted.

A doctor will be allowed onboard only in an emergency.

Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be issued.

Customs and immigration

Masters must allow the following representatives aboard their vessel for purposes related to the free pratique and operation process: Terminal Representatives, Panama Maritime Authority, Customs, Quarantine and Immigration Authorities

Shore leave is permitted by the local authorities. Crew members should check in at the Customs/Immigration gatehouse when leaving and returning to the terminal area. Shore Passes should be obtained from the vessel's agent and should be produced when requested by the Authorities.

Flags

Every vessel shall fly their national flag and the Republic of Panama flag between sunrise and sunset.

Notices and regulations

Smoking: It is prohibited in the following locations: Entire terminal zone, aboard launches, aboard jetties, motor vehicles and ships (designated areas will be granted and agreed by the Representative of the Terminal). Will be strictly prohibited throughout the port in the event of an oil spill and will be enforced until the spill is cleared.

H2S: In the event that any high H2S alarms sound (higher than 5ppm on deck) then control must be notified immediately. All personnel must take the danger of H2S into account when handling crude oil and be under the assumption that all crude oil is H2S positive.

Dangerous Cargo: No dangerous cargo shall be permitted to be shipped or landed at the jetties. Whilst petroleum loading/discharging operations are being carried out, no other cargo will be handled without permission of the terminal's representative.

COW: Crude Oil Washing (C.O.W.) may only be performed with prior authorisation from the Terminal during discharge. Vessels must follow all procedures and will be granted permission if the vessel does not cause delays.

Emergency Procedure: In the event of an oil spill, line rupture or any cause which may require an immediate shut down, then the vessel must advise the control room with 'STOP, STOP, STOP'. As a result the valves will be halted on the terminal side and the vessel shall close its manifolds valves. The vessel will then be advised when the shore valves are reopened and cargo operations may be resumed. It is worth noting that the manifolds must not be closed with pressure in the line. Emergency towing off pennant/towing off wires must be paid out as near centre line as possible. Then positioned at the offshore bow and quarter whilst alongside with an eye maintained approx a meter above water level in order to allow tugs to connect without assistance from the vessel's crew.

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:

1. For Ports and Ship Registry:

Contact person: Chief of Port Security Department

Address: Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), Diablo Heights, Building 5534, PO Box 8062, Panama 7, Republic of Panama.

Tel: +507 232 7352

Mobile: +507 660 61057.

Website: www.amp.gob.pa

2. For the Panama Canal:

Contact person: Manager - Canal Security Division.

Address: Panama Canal Authority (ACP), Balboa - Ancon, Republic of Panama, PO Box 5413, Miami FL 33102-5413

Tel: +507 272 4646, Cell: +507 614 1941.

Recognised Security Organisations:

RSO - ISSC Issue: Phoenix Management Service Group, Universe Security Group (London), Singapore Technologies.

RSO - Security Consultant Services: MUSC, Secure Maritime Group (St Petersburg, Florida).

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

Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)

Panama has signed a PSI ship boarding agreement with the USA aimed at stemming the flow of weapons of mass destruction. If a US or Panama flagged vessel is suspected of trafficking proliferation related cargo, either party to this agreement can request authorisation to board, search and possibly detain the others vessel and its cargo.

Repairs

Only minor repairs may be carried out and ships engines shall not be immobilised. In all circumstances the port's safety regulations must be followed. No welding, cutting, etc, is permitted on any vessel in the terminal. Blowing or cleaning of boiler tubes in vicinity of the terminal is prohibited. Repairs may be carried out by Wartsila Panama, S.A. and Talleres Industriales, S.A.

Wartsila Panama, S.A. contact info

Telephone: +507 317 4100 (Office hours); +507 6676 9826 (24hrs)

Facsimile: +507 317 6794

Email: [email protected]

Talleres Industriales, S.A.

Telephone: +507 433 9500; +507 433 9503; +507 433 9504

Facsimile: +507 445 1104

Email: [email protected]

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Supplied, as available, via jetty connections. Prior notice needed and max. delivery is 200t.

Bunkering: Terminal has facilities for bunkering.

Stores: Available in limited quantities.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Hospital Dionisio Arrocha (7.55km).

Medical and dental treatment should be arranged, in advance, by the vessel's agent.

Crew change

Can be arranged through agent.

Transport

Nearest airport: Enrique Malek International Airport - David (53.0km)

Nearest highway: There is an unpaved road to San Vicente, approx 6km from Puerto Armuelles.

Nearest public transport: Bus routes throughout David.

Working hours

The terminal operates throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Charco Azul, also known as Petro Terminal de Panama, lies on the Pacific coast on the W side of the Charco Azul Bay and on the E side the Burica peninsula, approx 6km S of Armuelles, Panama.

The port

The Pacific Oil Terminal consists of two docks designed to handle crude oil and other petroleum products. Other operations that can be carried out are blending, transhipment and transportation via pipeline across the Panama Isthmus to the Atlantic coast at Chiriqui Grande.

Traffic

Approx 14,000,000t of cargo handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Charco Azul Terminal?

The pilot boards at Charco Azul pilot boarding place, 08°11.0′N 082°49.0′W.

What time zone is Charco Azul Terminal in?

Local time at Charco Azul Terminal is UTC−5. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Charco Azul Terminal?

The deepest berth listed is at Petroterminal de Panama (PTP) Pacific Oil Terminal: 22.55 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Charco Azul Terminal?

1025.

Which load line zone is Charco Azul Terminal in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Charco Azul Terminal?

Port State Control at Charco Azul Terminal: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Charco Azul Terminal?

The UN/LOCODE of Charco Azul Terminal is PACHA.

What crews who called at Charco Azul 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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