Jose Terminal

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 225m, beam 32.27m, draught 13.5m, 75,846DWT.

Off shore: LOA 336m, beam 60m, draught 22.86m, 320,899DWT.

Water density

1028.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range less than 1.0m. Ocean currents are variable and rarely exceed 0.5kts.

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

Approach

Incoming vessels start their entry, (and pick up Pilots) at the Sea Buoy, 2.6nm offshore, on the approach channel centreline.

A fairway lightbuoy (conical, red and white; radar reflector) is moored 1.25nm NNE of the Petromina Terminal.

Approach to the monobuoy necessarily involves passing in close proximity to other fixed and floating structures. It is therefore imperative that all measures are taken to ensure that there is no loss of power or steering during these manoeuvres.

Petrozuata Solids Berth: The turning area off the jetty has a depth of 10m, max draught on arrival 8.5m. The berth and the departure channel has a depth of 13.8m.

Pequiven Pier: The approach channel is 150m wide and the depth in channel and 460m diameter turning circle in front of berth is 14.0m.

Traffic schemes and VTS

The Vessel Traffic System (VTS) together with the location of floating aids to navigation and marine terminal components permits the control of maritime traffic and any activity which may directly or indirectly increase the environmental and safety risks associated with port operations. The system provides coverage from Bergantin Bay to Jose Terminal for vessels and includes, among other things, a collision avoidance system. The VTS will advise on the location of navigational hazards as well as relative positions and estimated courses and speeds of other vessels within radar range of VTS.

Anchorages

Pilots and Loading Masters will normally board tankers in this anchorage area, or as arranged after radio contact with the terminal is established, if the vessel is berthing on arrival.

Restrictions

Vessels are berthed during daylight hours only with no restrictions for sailing. Vessels are normally berthed starboard side alongside unless advised otherwise.

Weather Operating Rules: The weather determines the mooring operations, loading arms hook ups and the operation of tug boats, which include: Sea and swell conditions, wind direction and velocity, visibility and current strength and direction. In general, the TAEJ Operation Superintendent may use the following guidelines in determining whether to initiate, continue or terminate any activity at the port, when the below exist or are predicted.

The complete shut-down of all systems and the evacuation of the port will be ordered when it is predicted that the centre of a hurricane will pass within 160nm of the port. Normally evacuation orders will be issued 36 hours before the storms expected arrival.

Petrozuata Solids Terminal: Vessels receiving products should be single deck, self trimming, bulk carriers without 'tween deck or other separations within the holds, not older than 25 years. Vessels older than this should have been inspected and approved by the US Coast guard or have called at US ports within the six months preceding arrival time at the Terminal.

All vessels de-ballasting (clean ballast water only) alongside the dock must ensure adequate screening is provide over the water outlets to ensure that no water is allowed to fall on the Dockside, which could adversely affect equipment located nearby. If any vessels have previously carried any hazardous or flammable products, a gas-free certificate from a consulting chemical engineer must be provided prior to tendering the vessel's NOR.

Tugs

Tugs usually make fast at the Fairway Lightbuoy.

Escort and Emergency Response: It is a requirement in TAEJ port operations procedures, that escort and emergency tugs accompany the tankers on docking and departing during the period of time that the pilot is onboard. The purpose of this tug is to provide emergency assistance to tankers requirements. The tug will have a towing line aboard, suitable for connection at the bow or stern of the tanker. All tankers, departing the mooring will also be provided with an escort tug to guide them to the outer perimeter of the TAEJ Marine Terminal Safety Zone.

Mooring

Manoeuvre Aids System: Each berth of the Crude Oil Loading Platform is equipped with a laser system that shows the berthing speed and angle between the vessel and the dock during berthing/unberthing manoeuvres.

BITOR SBM: The vessel's boom (15t SWL) must be used for connecting and for lifting the hoses from the water. The Terminal supplies personnel with launches to connect the hoses to the manifold. Loading only portside. If vessel is moored but not loaded, and speed of wind is approx 40Kts or more, the Terminal may request vessel to depart.

Petrozuata Solids Terminal: Vessels are at all times to be operational within one hour's notice, and on standby while at the berth when loading operations are in progress. No repairs are allowed at the berth and a whistle or horn should remain oeprable at all times when within the Terminal limits.

Charts and publications

BA 230, 2191. Admiralty Pilot NP7A. NP286(7).

US 24430. US Sailing Directions 148 (Caribbean Sea Volume II).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

If a vessel is cleared from another port, (including some other Venezuelan ports), and is diverted at sea to TAEJ, a telex advising the amended orders must be sent at least 48 hours before arrival, to avoid a heavy fine and/or delays.

Notice of readiness

NOR is tendered in accordance with the Charter Party. The Master will present his NOR, date and local time, upon arrival at the anchorage area. The terminal representative will acknowledge receipt of the NOR when the vessel is safely secured alongside the berth, cleared by the authorities for boarding, and after the vessels cargo tanks have been inspected. The Master may not tend NOR if the H2S content in the vapour phase of the cargo tanks exceeds 10ppm. After purging the cargo tanks, and the H2S content is below 10ppm, NOR may be tendered. The Masters NOR may be rejected if the terminal decides that the vessel presents any unsatisfactory conditions onboard, while it is under the terminal jurisdiction.

Documents

Petrozuata Solids Terminal: The Terminal Supervisor will present the Master with a Performance Agreement to be signed. Safe conduct of operations on the vessel rests solely with the Master. After cargo operations are completed, departure documents will normally be delivered to the Master while the vessel is still alongside but the Terminal may request the vessel to move to the anchorage to await delivery of these.

BITOR and Petrozuata SBMs: Inward Customs clearance and pratique are normally granted when the vessel is safely moored. After cargo operations are completed, departure documents will normally be delivered to the Master while the vessel is still alongside but the Terminal may request the vessel to move to the anchorage to await delivery of these.

General: Normally vessel clearance is completed when a vessel is docked, either at installations at the piers. If the vessel has any special requirements while at anchor, then permission must be obtained to clear the vessel at Pozuelos Bay between 0700hrs and 1500 hrs only.

Cargo documents such as Bills of Lading, Quality and Quantity Certificates, Certificates of Origin, etc should be prepared/released by terminal operators. These documents are presented to the Master prior to departure for his signature.

Petrozuata Jose Terminal:

Further information/documentation will also be requested as to vessel Dimensions, Tonnages, Loadline information, Recent Operational History, Safety Management, Cargo Tank Capacity and status, Ballast Bank Capacities, Cargo Control Room details, Cargo Manifolds, SBM Equipment (Vessel to Buoy), Lifting Equipment and any other relevant items.

Health

Pratique and Custom's clearance can only be granted on arrival either at anchorage or on completion of berthing.

Vessels coming from ports which have cholera will not be allowed to deballast overboard. A sanitary inspection is performed at the pilot station prior to entering port.

Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: An allowance is made for approx 5 days of cigarettes and alcohol out of bond. The bond is sealed after the vessel's clearance. Additional allowances may be made on request to the Customs authorities. Bonded items are not allowed to be taken ashore. Penalty is confiscation and a possible fine.

Customs: A Customs inspection will be carried out after the completion of the mooring operation. The Master will be required to provide particulars of the vessel, including stores, cargo, bunkers and other information. Customs surveillance is strict and storerooms and bounded stores will be sealed. Any contraband found will be confiscated and fines will be imposed. After inspection, a number of the National Guard, as the Customs representative, will be stationed onboard to ensure that the vessel complies with the Customs regulations.

Immigration: Issue shore passes that are valid for 72 hours.

Flags

The national ensign of Venezuela should be displayed in port between the hours of sunrise and sunset. Vessels not complying will receive orders from the National Guard to stop cargo operations. A written report will be requested prior to cargo operations recommencing.

Notices and regulations

Petrozuata Solids Terminal: Adquate lighting must be provided at night with emphasis on main cargo loading area. Officer of the Watch must be on duty at all times and all crew within 2 metres of the dock must wear appropriate safety gear.

Petrozuata Jose Terminal: Masters must ensure that mooring lines are properly tended and that sufficient personnel are onboard at all times to handle them. Loading will be temporarily suspended upon infringement of this regulation.

The blank flanges of the loading manifold must be removed before berthing in order to expedite the connecting of the shore loading arms.

While berthed, the discharge of sea water, hot water or steam may activate the automatic sprinkler system as well as damage piping located under the dock surface and should therefore be avoided.

Masters are requested to display at the top of the mast a red flag by day and flashing red light at night indicating that the ship is handling dangerous cargo.

Unregulated craft should not be allowed to come alongside while moored at the terminal without the permission of operators.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Instituto Nacional de los Espacios Acuaticos.

Position: Gerente de Puertos.

Address: Av Rio Orinoco, Urb Las Mercedes, EDF Inea Piso 3, Caracas, Venezuela.

Tel: +58 212 909 1540

Fax: +58 212 909 1540

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.inea.gob.ve

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

ISPS Compliance: The US Coast Guard has reported that a vessel arriving at US ports in one of its five subsequent calls from ports in Venezuela will be subject to increased attention and are more likely to be boarded and inspected due to their country's failure to maintain effective anti terrorism measures. To ensure compliance with USCG regulations masters must increase vessel security to equivalent of Marsec Level 2 standards while in Venezuelan ports.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Not available. Supplies may be arranged through ship's agents at other locations.

Bunkering: For PDVSA Berths No 8 and 9, bunkers are available by barge.

TAEJ Sea Island: No bunkers available, no barges permitted alongside. Bunkers can only be taken at Puerto La Cruz Anchorage Area.

Petrozuata Terminal: Bunkering facilities can be provided by the Venezuelan State Oil Company PDVSA alongside either at Guaraguao Terminal or by bunker vessel in Pozuelos Bay within the following co-ordinates:

10°15.0'N 10°15.5'N and 064°44.0'W 064°45.0'W.

Prior arrangements should be made through vessel's agent to ensure prompt supply.

Stores: No provision facility or ship's chandlery is available at Jose Terminal. There is no bonded store. Stores can be arranged off port at Barcelona on arrival/departure.

Medical

Except in emergencies, no medical or dental services are available at Jose Terminal. These may be arranged through agent at other locations.

Crew change

Not permitted, can be arranged off port Barcelona on arrival/departure.

Working hours

Petrozuata Terminal: The terminal is designed to operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, but berthing is subject to weather permitting and pilots decision.

Where it is

Jose Terminal is located W of Pozuelos Bay on the NE coast of Venezuela, 27km W of Puerto La Cruz.

The port

The Jose Terminal consists of a number of facilities serving the Jose Oil and Petrochemical Industrial complex. There are two Single Buoy Moorings (operated separately by Petrozuata and Bitumenes del Orinco SA). Three tanker berths are located on a Sea Island (the Petroterminal Jose Platform known as TAEJ). Stretching out over 1.8Km from the shoreline are three loading piers, used separately by the PDVSA Criogenics Complex (Complejo Criogenico de Oriente Jose), Pequiven Petrochemicals Terminal and the Petrozuata Solids Terminal which handles coal.

Traffic

Approx 1,300 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Jose Terminal?

The pilot usually disembarks an outbound vessel at the Fairway Buoy.

What time zone is Jose Terminal in?

Local time at Jose Terminal is UTC−4. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Jose Terminal?

The deepest berth listed is at Petroterminal Jose Platform (TAEJ): 22.86 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Jose Terminal?

1028.

Which load line zone is Jose Terminal in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Jose Terminal?

The UN/LOCODE of Jose Terminal is VEJOT.

What crews who called at Jose 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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