PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Nieuw Nickerie
Pilot
updated May 2010- Nieuw Nickerie pilot boarding place Pilot boards06°01.0′N 057°00.0′W
Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels over 50GT. Vessels should send an ETA through Paramaribo Coast Radio Station 48 and 12 hours in advance to the agent who will arrange for a pilot. The pilot boards in the vicinity of Cor-N Lightbuoy 06°02'N 057°01'W.
Incoming vessels are boarded by the pilot at the lightbuoy. To facilitate safe embarking/disembarking of pilots, vessels are required to provide proper pilot ladders meeting international safety standards.
Key data
updated Mar 2017Size limits
LOA 163m, draught approx 4.9m HW, 6000 DWT.
Water density
1000.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Mean range 1.2m neaps, 2.8m springs above CD. The rise in tide is 3.6m springs and 2.3m neap tides. Off the entrance to the Nickerie River the tidal streams are SW'ly and NE'ly, attaining rates of 4kts at springs.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nieuw Nickerie Port Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Staats Olie Terminal | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2010Approach
New Nickerie is accessible via the Corantijn River estuary and the Nickerie entrance. The minimum depth over the outer bar is 2.1m LWS, the bar is composed of soft mud. Vessels inward bound should keep well to windward of the entrance as a strong current of 2.5-3.5kts runs to leeward.
Directions: From seaward, in the vicinity of 06°20'N 056°55'W, the track leads SSW until the alignment 210.5° of Bluffpunt 05°57'N 057°04'W with the NW extremity of Papegaaien Eiland, 4.75nm SSW, can be seen. Then continue along the leading line until a position is reached close to Cor-R Lightbuoy (safe water) 06°02'N 057°01'W.
The track then leads S, passing (with positions relative to Nickerie Punt 05°58'N 057°01'W):
Through a channel (2nm N) marked by lightbuoys (port hand). To the E of the channel lies Turtle Bank which dries and lies up to 2nm offshore. Then close W of an obstruction (0.7nm NNW); N6 Light Beacon stands close SE of the obstruction. The track then leads into the river close E of the W entrance point (0.3nm SW), marked by N1 Lightbuoy (starboard hand). Within the river no specific directions are available.
Port limits
The seaward boundaries of the port, within which a vessel is considered to be arrived, is the entrance of the Suriname, Marowijne, Coppename, Corantijn and Nickerie Rivers.
Traffic schemes and VTS
Controlled by the harbour office.
Anchorages
The anchorage is in the middle of the river, opposite the town. Caution is advised when anchoring due to the narrow width of the river.
Restrictions
At the mouth of the river is a mud bar with a least depth of 2.1m. The bar consists of very soft mud and vessels sometimes push through for a depth of 0.6-0.9m.
Mooring
Berthing is always undertaken at flood tide, approx 1 hour before HW.
Charts and publications
BA 99. Admiralty Pilot NP7A, NP286(7).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Notify ETA 36, 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival at the Seabuoy and if necessary amend the ETA in local time (3 hours earlier than GMT) after the 12 hour message, via Paramaribo Radio or via the harbour master on VHF Ch 12. The arrival message should include forward and aft draughts.
The pilot will be ordered only after receipt of the confirmed (12 hour) and/or amended ETA.
Communications
The coast station "PZN" maintains a 24 hour watch on 500kHz. A continuous guard is maintained on 2182kHz.
VHF: Port Office: Ch 16 and 12.
Pilot Vessel: Ch 12.
Notice of readiness
NOR to be tendered upon arrival at the pilot station.
Documents
These are prepared by the agent before vessel's arrival.
These must be prepared by the vessel before arrival.
Outward Clearance: This will be prepared by the agent.
Health
Pratique will be granted after the vessel has been cleared by customs and cannot be applied for by radio.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be renewed in Suriname.
Customs and immigration
During the vessel's stay in Nieuw Nickerie each crew member/passenger (excluding children under 16) will be permitted to retain, in their possession for their own use onboard, the following: 60 cigarettes or 15 cigars or 220 grams tobacco, 0.2 litres of spirits, 0.33 litres of wine, 2 litres of beer.
All quantities in excess of the above will be put under seal. In order to facilitate Customs formalities, stewards should collect all excess quantities before arrival for sealing.
All fire arms and ammunition must be manifested on a Stores List and remain onboard, in bond, for the duration of a vessels stay in Suriname territorial waters.
Flags
Suriname flag must be displayed at all times.
Notices and regulations
While alongside, vessels must maintain engines and propulsion machinery in readiness to leave the pier under full power, at short notice. No repairs are permitted which would interfere with this requirement while alongside.
Inspections
Inspection of ships in Suriname
Maritime Affairs. Cornelius Jongbawstr 2, Paramaribo, Suriname.
Tel: +597 692 474575
Fax: +597 692 472940
Telex: 163 havkan.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Maritime Authority Suriname.
Position: Acting Manager.
Address: Cornelis Jongbawstr 2, Paramaribo, Suriname.
Tel: +597 476733
Fax: +597 472940
Mob: +597 856 5861
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Mar 2017Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water/stores: Available via agent.
Bunkering: Available in by road tankers.
Medical
Nieuw Nickerie Hospital, 1.4km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Majoor Henry Fernandes Airport or also known as Nieuw Nickerie Airport located at Nickerie district, 5.6km.
Working hours
Normally Mon-Sat 0700-1200hrs and 1300-1800hrs; night work can be arranged.
Stevedore gangs work from 0700-2300hrs in 2 shifts from Mon-Fri. Work on Sat and Sun is also possible.
About Nieuw Nickerie
updated Mar 2017Where it is
Nieuw Nickerie is situated on the Nickerie River, 4.8km from the entrance.
The port
The port is located on the Nickerie river NW of Suriname. The main exports are bananas and rice and imports such as general cargo, fertiliser, cement and small oil tanker using floating pontoon.
The district commissioner officially acts as harbour master, but vessel movements and pilotage are handled by Nickerie harbour office.
Questions about Nieuw Nickerie
Where does the pilot board at Nieuw Nickerie?
The pilot boards at Nieuw Nickerie pilot boarding place, 06°01.0′N 057°00.0′W.
What time zone is Nieuw Nickerie in?
Local time at Nieuw Nickerie is UTC−4. No summer time.
What is the water density at Nieuw Nickerie?
1000.
Which load line zone is Nieuw Nickerie in?
Tropical.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Nieuw Nickerie?
The UN/LOCODE of Nieuw Nickerie is SRICK.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Nieuw Nickerie 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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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.