La Plata

Size limits

LOA 340m, beam 40m, draught 8.3m, 75,000DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Spring 1.2m, neap 1.1m.

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 Km 57 Lightbuoy (port hand) (34°44'S 057°45'W) at the end of Canal Banco Chico and is entered through Canal Acceso, a dredged channel 2.2nm long, protected by moles either side. The track leads S passing between the breakwater heads (marked by light beacons) to enter Canal Acceso. The track leads SSW following the channel which leads between the breakwaters. The breakwaters themselves cover and uncover; the limits of the channel are marked by light beacons (port and starboard hand). Then E of Km 2.505 Light Beacon (red metal framework tower) (3.25nm SSW) from where a track continues SSW to Canal de Entrada and Grand Dock (4nm SSW). Rio Santiago leads WNW to Canal Intermedio (3nm SSW) and the Naval Base; the upper reaches of Rio Santiago lead ESE from Cuatro Bocas.

Anchorages

Anchorage is located at the "B" sector of nearby Zona Comun, approx 3.5nm off the breakwaters. Vessels lightering cargo wait at the appropriate zone.

Restrictions

The Rio Santiago Channel from 4 Bocas to Puerto Rocca is unlit and therefore night navigation is not possible.

Vessels over 30m beam are only authorised to enter/sail from La Plata under a special permit granted by the Coastguard.

Tugs

Compulsory towage for all vessels, 2 tugs in and 2 tugs out usually employed (exceptions granted on whether vessels are equipped with bow and/or stern thrusters).

There are 4 tugs available, 2 x 3,160hp 1 x 2,300hp and 1 x 365hp.

Mooring

Special regulations for Grand Dock require vessels to moor, whenever possible, with the bow outwards facing the access channel, so as to be able to get away quickly in the event of the outbreak of fire.

Vessels that cannot so moor, will be assigned to Berths No 4, 5, 10 and 11 nearest to Cuatro Bocas. All tankers must sail immediately on finishing loading or discharging petroleum products.

When vessels over 175m in length or with a draught of more than 6.7m have to move stern first in Gran Dock, the Prefecture will previously shift any craft moored on either side of the Frigorifico Armor zone, of over 5m beam.

The turning basin can be used only by vessels less than 175m in length. Turbine steamers over 140m in length entering or leaving Grand Dock, must not turn in Cuatro Bocas or in the turning basin at night.

No double banked mooring is permitted, except for tugs or craft receiving ballast or waste from cleansing of tanks or when supplying steam.

Degassing of vessels and washing out tanks is prohibited.

Charts and publications

BA 1749,1751. 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: Ch 09, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 17.

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.

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 0700-1300hrs, 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.

The Customs Authorities can be contacted via, Tel: +54 21 691015.

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) have, 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.

Vessels navigating in the 3.6km entrance channel have preference over those in the River Santiago and vessels that, by reason of their size, must turn at Cuatro Bocas have priority over others.

No crossing or overtaking is allowed between vessels over 60m in length or with a beam exceeding 9m and vessels ready to sail from Grand Dock must not let go while any vessel is coming in by the entrance channel.

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 carried out.

Dry docks

Astillero Rio Santiago Shipyard - Floating drydock, 172m x 26.2m, displacement 12,000t, max accessible draught 7.31m.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available.

Medical

There are private clinics and a provincial hospital available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Buenos Aires, 16km.

Nearest railway: La Plata.

Working hours

Mon-Fri 0700-1300hrs and 1300-1900hrs, Sat 0700-1300hrs. All other hours are overtime.

Where it is

La Plata is situated approx 26nm below Buenos Aires on the River Plate.

The port

The port of La Plata includes terminals handling solid bulk cargoes, liquid cargoes and containers. The port has the most modern container terminal and port scanner in South America.

Traffic

Approx 4,500,000t of cargo and 900 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at La Plata?

Compulsory. One River Plate pilot embarks at Recalada pilot station or at the Montevideo joint point (35°03'S 056°09'W) The berthing pilot will take over from the river pilot in the Pilot Boarding Area (34°45'S 57°52'W) as designated on the chart.

What time zone is La Plata in?

Local time at La Plata is UTC−3. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at La Plata?

The deepest berth listed is at YPF Terminal: 8.30 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at La Plata?

1025.

Which load line zone is La Plata in?

Summer.

What is the UN/LOCODE of La Plata?

The UN/LOCODE of La Plata is ARLPG.

What crews who called at La Plata 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.

Read and add tips for La Plata →