Cienfuegos

1. Bahia de Cienfuegos pilot boarding Pilot boards22°01.6′N 080°27.6′W
2. Cienfuegos pilot boarding position b Pilot boards22°02.7′N 080°27.4′W

Size limits

Largest vessel handled, LOA 185m, 42,000DWT and 11.5m draught form the latest audit.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range 0.5m. There is a constant W going tidal stream off the entrance to Bahia de Cienfuegos.

Flow in the entrance channel varies between 1kt and 2kts depending upon the rainy season.

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

Approach

Entrance channel: From the vicinity of the pilot boarding area 0.5nm SW of Punta de los Colorados 22°02'N 080°27'W, the recommended track, which is marked by lightbuoys, leads through the entrance channel following the alignment of 3 pairs of light beacons (all with orange daymarks on white concrete structures) the positions of which can best be seen, passing (with reference to Punta Pasacaballos Light), 22°03.7'N 080°27.6'W:

E of Punta de Sabanilla (1.3nm S). A bank extends 0.5nm SSE of this point and numerous dangerous rocks lie within 0.25nm of the point, then;

W of Punta del Diablo (1nm SSE), then;

W of Punta Barco Perdido (0.8nm SSE) and between Nos 1 and 2 Lightbuoys, then;

ENE of Muelle Juragua No 5 Light (green daymark on concrete tower on hut) 0.2nm WSW and WSW of Punta Pasacaballos Light (red daymark on metal framework tower), then;

ESE of Ensenada de Placido (Placida), (0.2nm WNW), then;

WNW of Ensenada de las Damas, (0.3nm NNE), then;

W of Punta de la Milpa (0.7nm NNE), then;

E of Punta de la Cantera (0.8nm N) the N entrance point of Caleton de Don Bruno, then;

Into the S part of Bahia de Cienfuegos.

Caution: A vessel should allow for the usual W set when approaching the entrance channel.

Traffic schemes and VTS

There is a Vessel Traffic System in operation.

Anchorages

Port of Cienfuegos has an excellent anchorage and can accommodate the largest vessels ever likely to use the port.

The North Anchorage has a soft mud bottom with a minimum depth of 12.1m. It is used for awaiting berths, bunkers and water and also can be used for the discharge or loading of cargo by means of barges.

General Anchorage is situated in the middle of the entrance to Ensenada Marsillan and has a soft mud bottom. The maximum depth is 10.9m. It is used for awaiting berths, bunkers, water, and provisions. It can also be used for the discharge or loading of cargo by means of barges.

The Quarantine and Explosives Anchorage is situated 800 meters off Point Barril and has a minimum depth of 15.2m. The bottom is soft mud, which provides a good holding ground.

Restrictions

Vessels of over 187m in length may enter or leave only at slack water.

The SE part of the bay to the E of a line joining Punta de la Milpa, Cayo Carenas (0.8nm N) and Punta de la Cueva (2.7nm NNE) is closed to commercial navigation.

Tugs

Compulsory for all vessels and at least 1 tug will be used during berthing and leaving manoeuvres.

Charts and publications

BA 444, Admiralty Pilot NP70, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA should be sent on departure from last port. If time permits, further ETA's should be sent 10, 7, 5, 3 and 1 day prior to arrival. The messages must include date and time of arrival and expected draughts on arrival.

Communications

Radio: Customs Coast Radio Station "CLA CU" can be used for passing messages. The station operates throughout 24 hours. Inmarsat is the preferred method of communication and should be used to contact agents, whenever possible.

VHF: Port Control contacted via Havana Radio callsign "CLA". Pilots can be contacted 24 hours a day on Ch 16.

Notice of readiness

Normally tendered when a vessel is alongside and ready to work cargo or on arrival at the outer roads of the port if no berth is available.

Health

Free pratique should be requested by radio. Health Certificates can be renewed by phytosanitary organisations.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Ministerio del Interior, Direccion de Proteccion.

Contact person: Manager.

Address: Santa Catalina 501, 10 de Octubre, Ciudad de la Habana, 10500, Cuba.

Tel: +53 7 577376 or +53 7 577377.

E-mail: [email protected]

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

US Coast Guard announced that it is imposing conditions of entry on vessels arriving in the United States after having called at any port in Cuba, during their last five port calls. In summary, each affected vessel must: (1) implement the Security Level 2 measures from its ship security plan while in any port of the country; (2) ensure that each access point is guarded and that guards have total visibility of the exterior of the vessel while in the port; (3) attempt to execute a Declaration of Security while in the port; (4) log all security actions; and (5) report actions taken to the pertinent USCG Captain of the Port [COTP] prior to arrival in the US. See 76 Fed Reg 30954.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Bunkers are available in 240t loads from barges or by pipeline from some of the berths.

Medical

Hospital in Cienfuegos, 7km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Jaime Gonzalez Airport in Cienfuegos, 9km.

Nearest railway: Cienfuegos Train Station in Cienfuegos, 6km.

Working hours

Mon-Fri 0700-1100hrs and 1300-1700hrs. Sat 0700-1100hrs. Work is possible in certain cases on holidays and Sundays.

Where it is

Cienfuegos is situated on the S coast of Cuba.

The port

Cienfuegos handles passengers, raw sugar, grain, break bulk, dry bulk, fuel, jet oil and LPG.

Where does the pilot board at Cienfuegos?

The pilot boards at Bahia de Cienfuegos pilot boarding, 22°01.6′N 080°27.6′W. Cienfuegos has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Cienfuegos in?

Local time at Cienfuegos is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Cienfuegos?

The deepest berth listed is at Cienfuegos Oil Refinery: 11.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Cienfuegos?

1025.

Which load line zone is Cienfuegos in?

North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Cienfuegos?

The UN/LOCODE of Cienfuegos is CUCFG.

What crews who called at Cienfuegos 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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