Esmeraldas

Size limits

Harbour: Draught 10.5m, LOA 230.0m, beam 38m, 68,439DWT.

Offshore: LOA 250m, draught 15.85m, 116,038DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Mean spring range 2.9m; mean neap range 1.7m.

In the harbour area the currents set N to NE at 1 to 3kts. In the anchorage area for Esmeraldas, the rate is increased by the outflow from the river, which occasionally reaches a rate of 3.5kts.

Tidal streams flow strongly past the entrance to the commercial basin.

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

Approach

The port is approached from NW or N, and entered on the alignment of leading lights through the entrance of Rio Esmeraldas (00°59.5'N 079°38.5'W).

Balao Terminal is approached directly from seaward.

The alignment (168°) of E1 and E2 Lights (orange and white square wood and concrete structures) (front light 2.25nm SSE of the breakwater head), near Tachina, leads through the entrance channel into the river mouth.

Both sides of the channel are marked by lightbuoys.

Anchorages

Prohibited Anchorage: Anchorage is prohibited in 2 areas as follows:

An area in the approaches and entrance channel to the harbour. Between the head of the breakwater and a position NE of the lightbuoy (safe water), moored in the anchorage and pilot area.

An area WSW, ENE and N, of the submarine oil pipeline extending NW from the vicinity of 00°58.9'N 079°40.7'W.

Restrictions

A navigation restricted area has been established NW of Punta Coquitos Light (00°59.2'N 079°39.9'W). Vessels entering and leaving harbour are required to keep clear of the shore terminals off Balao. A vessel is not permitted to enter the terminal area without a pilot onboard; until the pilot arrives, vessel is required to remain in the waiting and pilot boarding area.

Balao: Draught restriction of 15.85m.

TME has a max permissible draught of 12.2m.

Tugs

Compulsory, three tugs available.

Oil Terminal Tugs: There are 5 available to perform single point mooring operations. Four are equipped with 2,365hp engines and 1 tug of 1,550hp.

Mooring

Buoys "X" and "Y". Lifting, connecting, disconnecting, lowering and other operations will be performed by a special team from the terminal.

The port derrick must be rigged and ready for use on arrival. Vessels should be advised that the weight of each hose is at least 5t under favourable conditions. Members of the ship's crew will be required to operate the winch or winches. Particular care should be taken during hose handling operations in order to avoid serious damage to the hoses, plastic floats and buoys on the plate edges, rails, etc.

Loading is through SBM's which are approximately 12.1m in diameter and held in position by fixed chains secured to piles sunk into the sea bed.

Buoy "X" is equipped with 246.8m length x 24in floating hose which is connected to 2 x 32m length x 12in tail hoses. Buoy "Y" is equipped with a 20in floating hose connected to 2 x 12in tail hoses. Each buoy is equipped with 246.8m length x 20in floating hose reduced to 12in tail hoses for deballasting.

Potential loading rate: Berth "X" and "Y" 32,000bbls/hr max and 10,000bbls/hr min. Standard loading rate is approx 30,000bbls/hr.

Charts and publications

BA 2257, 2799. Balao Terminal, National IOA 1002, Admiralty 1814 and 2257, USA 21033 and HC-1176. Admiralty Pilot NP7, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA should be sent 72, 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival.

Communications

Radio Costera Guayaquil is the recommended station for passing messages at long range. The station works from 0800-2359hrs.

Inmarsat communication is not possible.

A 24 hour watch is maintained on HF-SSB 2182kHz, 2136.3kHz.

VHF: Port: Ch 16.

Pilot: Ch 06.

Balao Oil Terminal: Pilots and Terminal: Ch 16; 14. Tel: +593 26 272 8738,

Email: [email protected].

Notice of readiness

NOR is normally tendered on arrival at first sea pilot station.

Documents

Special forms for completion by the Master are delivered onboard by the local agent on arrival.

Health

A representative of the Health Department boards with Port Authorities on a vessel's arrival.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be issued and renewed.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: There is no specific allowance set by Customs. However, personal effects should be limited to one item such as one TV, one radio, etc. Penalties for non compliance result in excess/undeclared items being confiscated.

Immigration: Passports have to be presented. Crew and passengers proceeding ashore must be in possession of their passport and a shore pass which will be inspected.

Flags

Whilst navigating Ecuadorian waters and in port, vessels must display their national flag as well as the Ecuadorian flag. For not displaying Interco and/or other flags a vessel may be detained and fined by an amount determined by the local authorities.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Direccion General de la Marina Mercante y del Litoral, Secretaria de Proteccion Maritima.

Position: Superintendente de Autoridades Portuarias.

Address: Elizalde 101 y Malecon, Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Tel: +593 4 232 4827

Fax: +593 4 232 4827

Mob: +593 9 402 9527

Email: [email protected]

Telex: 43325.

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

Repairs

All kinds of small deck and engine repairs possible. Before commencing any repair work or painting, authorisation must be obtained from the Port Captain.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available when requested in advance.

Bunkering: Esmeraldas: Marine diesel and fuel oil available by road tanker or barge with a min of 8 days notice.

TME: Available by barge with eight days notice.

Balao: Available by barge at all times.

Provisions: Available in small quantities.

Medical

Hospital Defina Torres.

Transport

Nearest airport: Esmeraldas (local flights); Tachina, 20km from downtown. Quito (international).

Working hours

Esmeraldas and both oil terminals work throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

The port of Esmeraldas is situated on the north western most part of the Ecuador coastline.

The port

Esmeraldas, in Esmeraldas Province, is a small general and bulk cargo port. There is also an oil refinery at Balao with three offshore berths.

Harbour:

Principal imports - Steel products, vehicles, project cargoes, steel pipes, cement, clinker, gypsum.

Principal exports - Wood chips, wood, palm oil, vehicles.

Traffic

Approx. 24,400,000t of cargo, 400 vessels and 35,000TEU handled annually.

What time zone is Esmeraldas in?

Local time at Esmeraldas is UTC−5. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Esmeraldas?

The deepest berth listed is at Balao Oil Terminal: 15.85 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Esmeraldas?

1025.

Which load line zone is Esmeraldas in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Esmeraldas?

The UN/LOCODE of Esmeraldas is ECESM.

What crews who called at Esmeraldas 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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