Guamare Oil Terminal

Size limits

Max offshore LOA 280m, BCM 132.20m, draught 14.0m and 158,081DWT

Tides

Currents: Due to tidal flow imbalance in the ocean stream, currents in the multi-buoy mooring area are almost due to tidal motion, often attaining a rate of 3kts. A strong surfact current has been observed and as a result can make manoeuvres difficult. Waves in the area result from the prevailing wind. SE'ly winds will result in medium height of the waves is 1.5m. E'ly and NE'ly winds create surges up to 3.0m. NE'ly swells of up to 2.0m in height are occasional.

MHWS; 1.8m, MHWN; 0.6m.

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

Approach

Since the terminal is located offshore, it can be accessed from almost any direction from seawards.

Approaching Cab Calcanhar, vessels coming from the S may obtain safe radar positions from the Racon on platform Agulha II (PAG-2) in position 04°52.29'S., 036°16.12'W, located 6nm E of the Heavy Oil Mooring Area. Approaching from the N, vessels may do so in the same manner. Vessels must take into consideration to avoid Urca do Tubarao which is located approx 5nm W of the Heavy Oil Mooring Area and 10nm NW of the Light Oil Mooring Area.

Vessels should not navigate in an area S of the mooring system on account of submarine pipelines not shown on charts. In the event that a vessel must approach the Heavy Oil Mooring Area from the S, then it is recommended that cable stoppers are used on the anchors due to the fact that the vessel will pass over the 26" oil pipeline.

Attention must be made whilst approaching the Light Oil Mooring Area during the night. A signal buoy (04° 52.03'S., 36° 22.10'W) with radar reflector and reach of 5nm, has a white light which flashes white for 0.3s and is hidden for 2.7s. Further attention must be made as isolated danger buoys are located on the approach to the Lighted Oil Mooring Area. The buoys located in positions 04° 55.65'S., 36°27.25'W and 04° 50.8'S., 36°27.44'W mark a high bottom of 8m as well as the Urca do Tubarao.

The PUB-1 platform (04° 54.56'S., 36°20.22'W) is used as a point of reference for the N approach to the Light Oil Mooring Area. Approach from the S is not advised due to the aforementioned high bottom.

A standby buoy (04° 49'S., 36°30'W) marks the entrance to the Light Oil Mooring Area from the navigation channel. It is used as a reference point for the start of the channel and the anchorage area.

On departure from the port, it is suggested that a course is set between 000° and 030° to proceed along a natural channel with a depth of 16.0m at spring tides.

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Port limits

The maritime authority is obligated to meet the pertinent Standards and Laws. The mooring areas of the port are in open sea and outside the port area, therefore are subject to the maritime authority.

When the mooring areas are in operation, it is considered a restricted area, and when they are not, a public one, in accordance with the Public Port Safety Plan (PSPP) in compliance with the ISPS Code.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Due to the fact it is an offshore terminal, the local control is exercised by Petrobras Transporte, but the control of external traffic is exercised by the Navy of Brazil. The 3rd Naval District will communicate with the internal safety sector of Petrobras.

Anchorages

It has been advised that whilst in anchorage, all crew must be kept on Travel Duty in the event of emergency manoeuvres.

Restrictions

In the event of a vessel arriving in the afternoon and manoeuvrability being difficult, the vessel will have to anchor until the following morning. Unmooring during the hours of darkness is not permitted unless in an emergency and with tug assistance.

In the event of adverse weather conditions, the mooring master and captain of the vessel will decide together on the safest time to carry out the mooring manoeuvre in the mooring area.

For navigation to the terminal caution must be made to Urca do Tubarao, located approx 5nm W of the Heavy Oil Mooring Area and 5.2nm NW of the Light Oil Mooring Area.

A risk whilst undertaking cargo operations at the port include wind speeds that exceed 30kts and vessels approaching the port with the final bearing greater than true 100°. This is due to the fact that ENE'ly winds with intensity can also reach speeds of 30kts. During the rainy season (Feb-Jun) winds decrease in intensity and as a result may form clouds of hydrocarbons. In this instance all those involved on deck must wear a gas mask, if the vessel has not been rendered inert.

Tugs

The use of tugs are conditional upon the evaluation of the Mooring Master together with the vessel. Acceptance may depend on the meteorological conditions. Vessels must provide tow-ropes in good conditions for use.

Mooring

Berthing order: Preference for berthing is given in accordance with vessels' arrival sequence, unless otherwise stated by DETRAN/DICOP, or in case of a particular situation arising when priority will be decided by the terminal.

The mooring cables must reach the hasps of the most distant buoys at approx 400m. All cables must be kept under adequate tension during the operation, automatic tensioning is not permitted.

Synthetic mooring ropes or wire cable must be sent to the buoys, on average 10 ropes will be sent to the mooring buoys always from the stern. The first lines to be dispatched must be shackled one to another, in order to ease the mooring work.

The mooring master will advise the vessel on mooring/unmooring manoeuvres, supervise the tasks of connection/disconnection of the hose lines and monitor the weather/environmental conditions during the operations. As well as the mooring master, an offshore team shall board the vessel and will perform the connection/disconnection of the hose lines.

Daytime berthing is only permitted at the port. In the event that a vessel arrives at the port during the night, the vessel must anchor and contact the terminal via VHF to find out the timings of the mooring master in order to board the following day.

Heavy Oil Mooring Area: The max suggested draught upon arrival is 12m and then 14m upon departure. The max depth at high tide is 22m and 17m at low tide.

Light Oil Mooring Area: The max suggested draught is 9m. The max depth at high tide is 20m and 15m at low tide.

Vessels must provide a rope ladder sufficiently long enough to reach the barge of the terminal and positioned by the gangway ladder. This is important so that those who are boarding the vessel over to the latter after climbing 2 or 3m. For the Heavy Oil Mooring Area all vessels moored must have the following configuration: 2 anchors with approx 8 shackles and moored with 2 cables (fibre/steel) on each of the 5 buoys in the area. For the Light Oil Mooring Area all vessels moored must have the following configuration: 2 anchors with approx 7 shackles and moored with 2 cables (fibre) on each of the 4 buoys in the area. For both mooring areas, as soon as the second anchor is lowered, the first mooring cables can be delivered to the barge. This will in turn clinch them to the windward side of the mooring buoys and will be able to be dictated by the mooring master.

Charts and publications

Brazilian charts 700 and 720; BA 3955. Admiralty Pilot NP5, NP286(7).

No nautical charts, sailing directions or other publications are provided by the terminal nor available in Guamare or in Natal. They may, however, be obtained by the ship's agent or Fronape if requested in advance.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels bound for the terminal must advise ETA 72 and 48hrs in advance to the respective Agent and the terminal. Alteration or confirmation of ETA must be communicated at least 24hrs in advance. ETA must specify whether the time mentioned is local or UTC. When vessels are 43nm from the terminal, contact may be made on VHF Ch16. The terminal monitors this frequency 24hrs a day.

Communications

Port Authority contact info

Telephone: +84 3201 9630

VHF: Ch 16

Tugs contact info

Telephone: +84 3235 5079

Operations - Guamare Oil Terminal contact info

Telephone: +84 3235 5216

Facsimile: +84 2235 5327

VHF: Ch 13

Supervision - Guamare Oil Terminal contact info

Telephone: +84 3235 5401

Facsimile: +84 3235 5327

Port Facilities Security Officer contact info

Telephone: +84 3235 5236; +84 9974-7860 (cellular)

Facsimile: +84 3235 5327

VHF: Ch 16, 13

Notice of readiness

Demurrage: Aiming at contributing to the vessel's operational economy, Masters are asked to co-operate with representatives of the terminal in all attempts to lower demurrage.

Whatever delay is considered as unnecessary or extensive must be reported to the mooring master who will contact the shift supervisor in order to provide corrective measures. Ships will be moored, preferably, in the morning between 0600hrs and 1100hrs making best use of the prevailing conditions.

Tankers, who exceed the deballasting time fixed in the charter party, will be subject to claim and demurrage debt.

Flags

The national flag and "B" flag must be flown from Brazilian and foreign vessels' foremasts from 0800hrs to sunset during the vessel's stay in port.

Notices and regulations

Drainage: Once the cargo operations have completed, the drainage part of the loading hose will be started so as to make it feasible to disconnect. Vessels must arrange for the drainage of the onboard section.

In spite of loading and hose disconnection by night, vessels are not allowed to carry out unmooring task at night, unless in emergency situation.

Emergency Plan: The PRE (Plan for Response to Emergency) is in place for any emergency within the port limits and facilities of the Guamare Oil Terminal. It is worth noting that in the event of an emergency, moored vessels must keep the emergency tow cable available to be used.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Comissao Nacional de Seguranca Publica nos Portos, Terminais e Vias Navegaveis - CONPORTOS.

Contact person: Ezio Borghetti.

Position: Secretario Executivo.

Address: Esplenada dos Ministerios, Bloco T, 5 andar - Ministerio da Justica, DF, 70064-900, Brasilia, Brazil.

Tel: +55 61 429 3173.

Fax: +55 61 429 9169.

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: http://www.mj.gov.br

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

Repairs

Some repairs can be effected if requested through the agent. These include engine, pumps, deck, electric and electronic repairs. Any repairs that involve a risk of sparks or other means of ignition are strictly prohibited.

No engine repairs can be undertaken after tendering NOR. Tank cleaning, compass adjustment or calibration of direction-finder is strictly prohibited.

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkers: Not available.

Fresh Water: Not available.

Stores: Not available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Hospital Municipal Manoel Lucas De Miranda (6.75km).

Note: Several physicians, dentists, health services and hospitals are available at any time if requested by the agent. In emergency, first aid medical attendance may be provided by the terminal.

Crew change

Shore leave: Due to transport difficulties as well as embarking and disembarking difficulties at the CBM, crew and passengers are not allowed ashore unless with the prior permission of the ship's Master and on a boat provided by the ship's agent.

In case of crew being left ashore for hospital treatment, repatriation or some other reason, all costs will be to the owner's account, except if the person(s) left behind are employed by Fronape.

Transport

Nearest airport: Natal International Airport - Governador Aluizio Alves (131.6km).

Nearest highway: The onshore tanks have access to highway 406 which travels SE to Natal.

Where it is

Guamare Oil Terminal is located approx 30km offshore in an open area approx 11nm N of Galinhos Lighthouse, Brazil.

The port

The port operates in receiving petroleum (crude oil) from the mooring area to the onshore tanks, located in the muncipality of Guamare. Petroleum may also be received through the offshore production fields and independent producers via a truck unloading platform. The port also operates with the importation and exportation of clean products (Naphtha and Diesel) via the two mooring areas. The monthly movement of liquid cargo from the terminal is approx 700,000m³.

Guamare Oil Terminal comprises of thirteen onshore storage tanks of 260,000m³ and two CBM mooring areas: Ubarana Heavy Oil Mooring Area and the Ubarana Light Oil Mooring Area.

What are the pilot arrangements at Guamare Oil Terminal?

There are no pilots at Guamare.

What time zone is Guamare Oil Terminal in?

Local time at Guamare Oil Terminal is UTC−3. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Guamare Oil Terminal?

The deepest berth listed is at Guamare Oil Terminal: 14.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Guamare Oil Terminal?

The UN/LOCODE of Guamare Oil Terminal is BRGUA.

What crews who called at Guamare Oil 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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