PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
New Amsterdam
Pilot
updated Jan 2024- New Amsterdam pilot boarding place Pilot boards06°31.0′N 057°24.0′W
Compulsory. Pilots are stationed at Georgetown and board at 6°31'N., 57°24'W. 24hr notice is required.
Key data
updated Jan 2024Size limits
Max LOA 122.20m, beam 19.05m, draught 5.1m and 9,551DWT
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
MHWS 2.5m and MHWN 1.3m. The flood sets SW approx 3kts and the ebb sets N approx 5kts. The rising tide sets approx 1nm NE of the Berbice Light.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berbice Ferry Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Shell Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| General Cargo Terminal | 5.10 m | 112 m | 1 |
| Guyana Oil Terminal (Heathburn) | 4.80 m | 122 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jan 2024Approach
The approach to the port through Berbice River can be obstructed by a shallow muddy shore bank that extends about 2.6nm NNE and 3.4nm to the N, from St. Andrew Point. At the seaward end of the approach approx 6.9nm NNE lies the 5m curve and within the aforementioned curve are regular shoals to the shore bank. These are marked by breakers at LW and heavy ground swell is frequent.
A shore bank forms the entrance bar and has a least depth of 1.5m from the channel to the river mouth. Inside the bar the channel has a least depth of 2.1m and is composed of mud. Vessels can cross the bar on even keel loaded to 0.9m less than the Demerara Bar predictions. The approach channel has a dredged depth of 8.3m.
Anchorages
Safe anchorage in 3.0m MLWS and 5.18m MHWS.
Secure anchorage can be obtained anywhere W of Crab Island, situated 2nm S of Saint Andrew Point, or off New Amsterdam, avoiding the wreck of a barge near the W shore and the track of the ferry between the town and Rosignol (06°16'N 057°32'W) and the submarine cables. Silting takes place along the frontage of New Amsterdam, but vessels may safely lie aground, the bottom being soft mud. A tide gauge is situated 185m offshore of Crab Island.
A beacon, whose position is approximate, is situated 0.5nm NW of the S tip of Crab Island and may mark less water reported off the SW part of the island.
Restrictions
The river entrance is subject to silting and heavy ground swells are frequent in the approach. Two submarine cables, which cross Berbice River abreast New Amsterdam, are marked at their landing places by diamond shaped boards with the word "CABLE" in black. Anchorage is prohibited within 463m on each side of the cables. A wrecked barge lies on the W shore.
It is worth noting that the coastline from the mouth of the Berbice River to the Courantyne River is low with mud flats and has recorded depths of less than 5.5m from the coast to at least 5.2nm offshore. The coast trends ESE approx 6.9nm and then SSE for 19nm and soundings are the best guide for this stretch of
the coast as it is deemed that the charts are not very accurate.
Charts and publications
BA 2687, 2784. Admiralty Pilot NP7A, NP286(7).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jan 2024Communications
For communications, please refer to the entry at Georgetown (Guyana).
Inspections
Inspection of ships in Guyana
Ministry of Public Works
Communication and Regional Development, Wight's Lane, Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana.
Tel: +592 2 71510.
Fax: +592 2 56954.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Maritime Administration Department.
Position: Director General
Address: Ministry of Public Works Building, Fort Street, Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana.
Tel: +592 225 7330
Fax: +592 226 9581
Mob: +592 623 3950
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.
Port services
updated Jan 2024Medical
Nearest hospital: New Amsterdam Hospital (1.3km).
Transport
Nearest airport: Cheddi Jagan International Airport (85.4km).
Working hours
Mon-Fri 0700-1500hrs, 1500-2300hrs. Overtime available at weekends.
About New Amsterdam
updated Jan 2024Where it is
New Amsterdam is situated on the eastern bank of the River Berbice, Guyana, approx 5nm upstream and 10nm from the Berbice Bar.
The port
The port handles liquid and general cargo.
Questions about New Amsterdam
Where does the pilot board at New Amsterdam?
The pilot boards at New Amsterdam pilot boarding place, 06°31.0′N 057°24.0′W.
What time zone is New Amsterdam in?
Local time at New Amsterdam is UTC−4. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at New Amsterdam?
The deepest berth listed is at General Cargo Terminal: 5.10 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
Which load line zone is New Amsterdam in?
Tropical.
What is the UN/LOCODE of New Amsterdam?
The UN/LOCODE of New Amsterdam is GYNAM.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at New Amsterdam 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.
Plan a route to New Amsterdam →
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.