Concepcion del Uruguay

Size limits

LOA 225m.

Water density

1000.

Load line zone

Summer.

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

The access channel links the River Uruguay with Itape Creek, length 1,300m, depth 7.0m, (subject to periodical maintenance and dredging), continued by an artificial canal length 1,000m, width 60m, reportedly dredged to 5.8m.

The turning basin at the end of the access channel, has a turning diameter of approx 330m.

Note: In recent years minimum river level below Conception del Uruguay have been maintained at 5.8-6.4m. Under Keel Clearance of 0.6m is required at all times.

Anchorages

Anchorage is located at Km 176/77, for inbound vessels, clear of outbound vessel manoeuvres.

Restrictions

At Km 101.5 the river is spanned by a bridge joining Puerto Unzue and Fray Bentos. The height of the bridge at its centre is 45.2m, at CD.

Entry and departure from Concepcion del Uruguay is normally carried out in daylight hours, particularly for vessels exceeding LOA 140m. Vessels over LOA 200m are not permitted to proceed to the elevator berth if a tanker of LOA 80m or more is berthed at Berth No 4.

Air Draft Libertador General San Martín Bridge : 41m

Tugs

One tug available with a capacity of 2,700hp, 25t bollard pull.

All vessels exceeding LOA 160m , (plus 5% at Coastguard's discretion), are required to use 1 tug for berthing and unberthing.

Mooring

Vessels of over LOA 200m are not permitted to proceed to the Elevator Berth if a tanker exceeding 80m is berthed at Berth No 23, however coastguards have, depending on the circumstances, granted exemptions to this regulation.

Charts and publications

BA 4201,556. Admiralty Pilot NP5, NP286(7).

Communications

Note: As soon as a call from a ship is detected, on any frequency, the auto scanner system will stop and will establish contact. The station will then return to the main scanning loop.

The ship must wait for the message and then change over signal to send traffic. The first row of the message must start with the telex number and the message must end with KKKK. The ship will then receive the time to be charged for the contact. It is then ready to send a new message or return to stand by mode.

VHF: Coastguard Conception (L8T): Ch 09, 12, 14 and 16.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered in accordance with Charter Party terms.

This is alongside if berth is free on arrival or on anchoring in the port roads if berth is occupied or if charterer, for any reason, does not accept vessel alongside.

At times of upriver congestion, with berths and roads fully occupied, Prefectura Naval Argentina (Coastguard) will require vessels to wait at Zona Comun (Buenos Aires/La Plata roads pilotage embarkation, disembarkation point at Km 37, off Buenos Aires) or eventually, in cases of severe congestion, at Recalada at the mouth of the River Plate. In these latter cases, appointed agents will inform Master of situation and Prefectura (CONTRASE), via VHF to pilot, will advise if a vessel is not permitted to proceed. In these cases, when the vessel is being prevented from getting any closer to its berth, NOR should be presented on arrival/anchoring at Zona Comun or Recalada.

Again, in the case of vessels obliged to wait at Zona Comun or Recalada, the steaming time from these anchorages to the port roads and/or berth, is usually discounted. A provision to this effect should, preferably, be added to the Charter Party.

If loading at more than one port, NOR should be presented at first loading port only, unless otherwise stated in the relevant Charter Party or contract; notwithstanding that the Master is obliged to keep agents/charterers well informed of progress and position whilst shifting between ports.

Documents

An additional copy of all the above, except Crew Shore Passes and Passenger Landing Cards, should be made for the Master to keep on file in case they are required.

Note: CU = Customs, IM = Immigration, CG = Prefectura (Coastguard), PH = Sanidad (Port Health), AG = Agent, FP = Federal Police.

Prefectura (Coastguard) Declaration, Immigration Declaration and Customs Declarations are all presented to the Master, on special forms, for his signature by the attending agent and officials.

Cargo Manifests or In Ballast Declaration: Cargo Manifests or a Ballast Manifest have to be presented on arrival but these are normally dealt with, on behalf of the Master, by the agent. In the case of Buenos Aires, a computerised Manifest for all ports of call is transmitted directly from the agent's office to the Customs House, the "Maria" system being used.

In all other cases, an indexed manifest, in the prescribed form, is presented to the Customs officer attending the vessel on arrival. Notwithstanding the above, at outside ports the Master is also required to present up to 4 manifests on arrival. This usually refers to vessels carrying bulk cargoes such as fertilisers.

Health

Pratique should be applied for at least 3 working days prior to arrival. The pratique message can be passed to the ship's agent by telex of fax for onward transmission to the Port Health Authorities.

Free pratique is only granted after Sanidad (Port Health) Officer attends on arrival. This visit does not normally prevent the commencement of cargo operations.

Cholera: The salient points of Ministry of Health and Social Security regulation No 1333 of 1.12.92, affecting vessels arriving, are in Country section.

Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates: To obtain a new Ship Sanitation Control Certificate with fumigation, a minimum of 30 hours is required.

If Ship Sanitation Control Certificate expires on route, or is due to expire within a few days, exemptions for 6 months can be obtained if applied for between 0700 to 1300hrs, Mon-Fri. Outside these times, Port Health will grant an extension for 30 days.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: The daily allowance is 40 cigarettes and 0.25 bottle of spirits. For non compliance a fine of from 1-5 times the value of the goods plus duties on any extra cigarettes/spirits above the given limit.

Immigration: An Immigration Officer attends onboard to stamp Crew Shore Passes and Passenger Landing Cards. The crew require an Argentine Shore Pass (fichas) on which appear a thumb print and photograph as well as personal details. If they are not already onboard they are prepared on the vessel's entry. A photographer can attend onboard. The Master, in the ETA message, should state how many crew members require shore passes. Passengers require passports and landing cards.

There are no restrictions for either crew or passengers to proceed ashore with the above mentioned documents.

Flags

The national flag of Argentina is to be flown from the highest point on the vessel from sunrise to sunset. Fine for non compliance is an unspecified amount.

It is important to fly the "Q" flag on entering port until free pratique is granted by the Port Health officer attending onboard. Fine for non compliance.

Notices and regulations

Transmission of all SECOSENA messages is via MF or HF radio.

Certificates of Competency: The Coastguard (PNA) has, recently, been asking to see all deck, engine and radio officers Certificates of Competency. They must be valid and acceptable to the country under whose flag the vessel is registered. This refers in particular to vessels sailing under flags of convenience.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Prefectura Naval Argentina.

Contact person: General Prefect, Prefecto Nacional Naval.

Address: Av Eduardo Madero 235, piso 2, 1106 Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Tel: +54 11 4318 7521/7522/7523

Fax: +54 11 4314 0317.

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www. prefecturanaval.gov.ar

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

Repairs

Minor repairs can be undertaken, there is a slipway suitable for vessels up to 900t.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at quay side.

Bunkering: Available only via road tankers. The port should be notified well in advance to enable documentation to be arranged.

Stores: Available.

Medical

There is a municipal hospital and 2 private clinics available in the area.

Transport

Nearest airport: Concepcion del Uruguay.

Nearest railway: Inside the port attached to the Mesoportamian Railway line.

Working hours

Mon-Fri 0700-1300hrs, 1300-1900hrs, Sat 0700-1300hrs. Overtime is available.

Where it is

Concepcion del Uruguay is situated at 184.3km up the River Uruguay, in the Province of Entre Rios.

The port

The port consists of a number of berths including a grain berth, with grain elevator to facilitate the loading of grain.

Principal exports include wood, rice, soya beans and citrus.

Traffic

Approx 600,000t of cargo handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Concepcion del Uruguay?

Pilotage is compulsory.

What time zone is Concepcion del Uruguay in?

Local time at Concepcion del Uruguay is UTC−3. No summer time.

What is the water density at Concepcion del Uruguay?

1000.

Which load line zone is Concepcion del Uruguay in?

Summer.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Concepcion del Uruguay?

The UN/LOCODE of Concepcion del Uruguay is ARCOU.

What crews who called at Concepcion del Uruguay 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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