PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Chiriqui Grande Terminal
Pilot
updated Mar 2018- Rio Cricamala pilot boarding place Pilot boards08°59.0′N 082°05.3′W
Pilotage for Canal del Tigre:
Pilotage for the channel leading into the Laguna de Chiriqui is optional.
Masters may proceed directly to inner lagoon anchorage, without pilot, and will observe all navigational rules.
Vessels arriving and intending to proceed through Canal del Tigre to anchor are requested to give outbound vessels priority in the use of the buoyed channel.
In sending arrival times, it should be remembered that the pilot boat requires 1hr to travel from the base at Chiriqui Grande to the Pilot Station (9° 12.000'N 81° 59.000'W).
Inside the lagoon, call "PTP CONTROL" and make arrangements for the pilot to meet the vessel approx. 2.6nm NE of the SPM's, or if the vessel is at anchor in the lagoon the pilot can board the vessel here.
For vessels using the General Cargo Dock, pilot will embark/disembark approx. 1.5nm NE of the S SPM and must keep well clear of the SPM area and floating hoses. Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels over 2,500DWT approaching General Cargo Dock.
Pilot boats are LOA 10.97m, with blue hull, white deckhouse and "PILOTS" written either side. Boats are equipped with VHF Chs 16, 14, 13, 12, 11 and radar.
Pilotage to and from the terminal SPM buoys is compulsory. Services are available on a 24hr basis and supplied by PTP on the terms set out in the terminal's Berthing and Towing Conditions, this document shall be signed by all masters. The outgoing or unberthing vessel will have priority over the incoming vessel, providing the normal rules of navigation are not infringed. A vessel speed of 4 - 5kts would be ideal for embarking the pilot. Ships should make appropriate leeway for the Pilot and ladder should conform to IMO standards and IMPA recommendations. Discharging vessels should place the ladder on the port side when on a N'ly heading. Loading vessels should place the ladder on the starboard side when on a W'ly heading. Vessels with a freeboard of 9.0m or more shall provide suitable accommodation ladder, in addition to a pilot ladder. Vessels shall have both anchors ready for use. Masters will advise Terminal, before berthing, of any damage or disability to the vessel. Dropping anchor is prohibited in SPMs vicinity.
Key data
updated Feb 2023Size limits
Harbour: LOA 169.26m, beam 27.2m, draught 10.0m, 28,448DWT.
Offshore: LOA 333m, BCM 60m, draught 21.0m, 318,778DWT.
Water density
Outside the lagoon:1025. Inside the lagoon and close inshore especially during rainy season may be as low as 1015 (due to rain water from run offs).
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Max. tidal range - 0.64m.
Mean tidal range - 0.24m.
Tidal flow in lagoon is weak.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chiriqui Grande - Atlantic Terminal | 21.00 m | 333 m | 3 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Feb 2023Approach
Chiriqui Leading Lights in line, bearing 212°, lead to the vicinity of the SBM buoys and General Cargo Dock (08°56.7'N 082°06.8'W).
Front light (08°57'N 082°06'W) (white boards, white daymark, black stripe).
Rear light (white round tower, white daymark, black stripe) 60m from front light.
Anchorages
All vessels at anchor awaiting turn at the SBM's should maintain a radio watch with the Terminal ("Rambala Control") on Ch 16 calling (working Ch 14).
Vessels not berthing on arrival: Pilot will be available to bring vessel into lagoon anchorage if requested by the Master. If Pilot is not available, vessel should anchor outside the lagoon and maintain a listening watch on Ch 16 until advised of docking time.
Outside: Vessels may anchor on the coastal shelf outside the lagoon. Anchorage location in the area of 09°12'N 082°00'W where the mud bottom provides good holding ground.
In Lagoon: An area E of the SBM's is the most suitable for anchoring. The bottom of the lagoon is soft mud. Vessels should keep at least 3.2km clear of SBM if at anchor. Suggested anchorage location between parallel of 08°59'N and 09°00'N, and meridian of 082°00'W and 082°04'W.
Restrictions
Visibility Restrictions:
Vessels below 50,000DWT: Berthing/unberthing will be suspended, if the visibility is less than a ships length.
Vessels above 50,000DWT: Berthing and sailing, more than 1nm visibility is required.
Tugs
Tugs are compulsory for vessels over 150,000DWT and supplied by the terminal.
Mooring
Mooring to SBM: Vessel to approach SBM from down wind, maintaining the wind exactly ahead. (Adequate ballast should be retained to maintain manoeuvrability.)
From the stem chock, or a port bow chock close to the stem, lead the eye of a mooring rope and lower the eye to the waiting launch.
The launch will take the vessel's mooring rope and secure it to the buoy approach rope. The 146m x 25.4cm (480ft x 10in) plaited polypropylene approach rope is hove aboard with the vessel's windlass, heaving the vessel towards the buoy. Made fast to the end of the buoy approach rope is an OCIMF "B" - 3in (76mm) x 30ft grade 3 chafing chain. The vessels crew will take this end and run it through and secure it into the chain stopper. Chain stopper should be in accordance with OCIMF publication. If chain stopper unavailable, notify terminal.
Unmooring from SBM: The approach rope is taken to the windlass and the weight taken, while the shackle is released from the triangular plate or open link. The rope is slacked into the water as the vessel moves slowly astern. At this time, the hoses are also slipped from the vessel's rails (if not already slipped) and towed clear by the launch.
Charts and publications
BA 55. Admiralty Pilot NP7A, NP286(7).
Reporting before arrival
updated Mar 2018Communications
All vessels at anchor and those approaching terminal should maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF Ch 16.
Vessels at anchor within the lagoon are requested to refrain from using VHF Ch 13; since a persistent FM "DUCT" causes interference with cargo operations at the other PTP terminal located at Puerto Armuelles. The use of Ch 14 should also be minimised for the same reason.
Call sign for the terminal before arrival is "PTP CONTROL".
Call sign for the terminal while at SPM's and anchorage is "RAMBALA CONTROL".
Call sign for pilots is "PTP PILOTS".
Most terminal radios are equipped with VHF Chs 11, 13, 14 and 16.
All communications when at the SPM will be conducted in English.
Loading and unloading operations will be conducted by VHF radio communication between the vessel at the SPM, and "RAMBALA CONTROL" on VHF Ch 13.
The Mooring Master will bring two portable VHF radio units on board at the time the ship begins its approach to the SPM. One of these radios will be assigned to the Person in Charge of cargo operations on board the vessel.
The Person in Charge must maintain radio in their possession at all times. This radio must not be changed to any other channel unless instructed to do so by "RAMBALA CONTROL".
All cargo communications will be identified by ship name.
Agents wishing to contact ships must call "RAMBALA CONTROL" on VHF Ch 16 and request the operator on duty to advise the ship.
Ships may call their agent on VHF Ch 10. Ship/Agency business cannot be communicated on VHF Ch 13.
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.
Documents
Shore passes are supplied by agent on vessel's arrival.
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 Maritima de Panama (AMP) permits employees of PTP to board vessels (before vessel receives free pratique) for the purposes of setting loading arms. Discharge of ballast may commence in case of a vessel with ballast.
Discharge of cargo is not permitted. Employees of PTP are not permitted in vessel's accommodation areas before clearance.
Flags
Every vessel shall fly their national flag and the Republic of Panama flag between sunrise and sunset.
Notices and regulations
If vessel arriving from a port outside Panama it will have to be fumigated for mosquitoes.
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:
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.
Port services
updated Feb 2023Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at General Cargo Dock.
Bunkering: Not available.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Centro de salud Chiriqui Grande (0.5km).
Crew change
Crew change is possible. Contact the agent.
Transport
Nearest airport: Bocas del Toro Isla Colón José E. Hall International Airport (46km).
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Chiriqui Grande Terminal
updated Mar 2018Where it is
Chiriqui Grande is an oil transhipment terminal located on the Atlantic coast of Panama, on the S shore of Laguna de Chiriqui. It is 214km WSW of the N entrance to the Panama Canal.
The port
The terminal is operated by Petroterminal de Panama SA and is also known as Atlantic Terminal. It is linked to the Charco Azul (Pacific) oil terminal at Puerto Armuelles on the Pacific coast by a pipeline. The General Cargo Dock can handle break bulk, liquid and palletised cargo, containers and small tankers. Cargos handled include bananas, steel, autos, timber and wire reels.
Traffic
Approx 150 vessels visit the port annually.
Questions about Chiriqui Grande Terminal
Where does the pilot board at Chiriqui Grande Terminal?
The pilot boards at Rio Cricamala pilot boarding place, 08°59.0′N 082°05.3′W.
What time zone is Chiriqui Grande Terminal in?
Local time at Chiriqui Grande Terminal is UTC−5. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Chiriqui Grande Terminal?
The deepest berth listed is at Chiriqui Grande - Atlantic Terminal: 21.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Chiriqui Grande Terminal?
Outside the lagoon:1025.
Which load line zone is Chiriqui Grande Terminal in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Chiriqui Grande Terminal?
Port State Control at Chiriqui Grande Terminal: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Chiriqui Grande Terminal?
The UN/LOCODE of Chiriqui Grande Terminal is PACHG.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Chiriqui Grande 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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