PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Pariacabo
Pilot
updated May 2010Pilotage is compulsory and takes place during daylight hours. Vessels should send request 48 hours in advance. Pilot boards off "KO" Lightbuoy.
Vessels should send request for pilots 48 hours in advance to the Pilot Station at Degrad des Cannes stating draught, Tel: +594 354520, Fax: +594 354946, Telex: 910706 PILGUY FG, VHF Ch 16, hours 0630-1400hrs (working days).
Key data
updated May 2019Size limits
Max draught 6m and approx 6,200DWT from the latest audit.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Pariacabo | 6.00 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 Apr 2018Approach
Fleuve Kourou is entered SE of Pointe des Roches (05°09'N 052°38'W), a low rocky point 8nm SSW of Iles du Salut. Entry is difficult owing to the shallow bar, which is liable to change, and cross currents in the approach. Vessels with a draught of 2.5m can cross the bar at HWS.
Directions for entering Fleuve Kourou: "KO" Lightbuoy (safe water), marking the approach to Fleuve Kourou, is moored in position, 05°13'N 052°36'W about midway between Iles du Salut and the mouth of the river.
The channel into the river as far as Pariacabo is marked by light beacons, lightbuoys and buoys (port and starboard hand).
The sea usually breaks on an outer bar of hard mud with depths of 1.0m in the vicinity of "K1" Lightbuoy, moored 2nm NNE of Pointe des Roches. The minimum depth on the approach is 0.5m. An inner bar of soft mud lies W of Roche La Folle, marked by a black beacon 0.8nm NE of Pointe des Roches, and E of Roche Vitalo with a depth of 0.3m over it lying 0.7nm N of the point.
Anchorages
Anchorage can be obtained N of "KO" Lightbuoy while awaiting the pilot or, for a prolonged wait, S of Iles du Salut. Anchorage is prohibited in the vicinity of submarine cables which exist across Fleuve Kourou 0.75nm within Pointe des Roches.
Restrictions
A road bridge spans the river 0.15nm upstream of the wharf.
Tugs
Tugboat "Arashi" is available throughout 24hrs and services the port.
Charts and publications
Admiralty Pilot NP7A.
Inspections
ISPS
For ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Description: French Guiana is situated on the NE coast of South America and is bordered by Brazil to the S and the E and by Suriname to the W. Cayenne, the capital and chief port, is on an island of the same name at the mouth of the Cayenne River.
Port services
updated May 2010Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available in an emergency.
Stores: Fresh provisions available.
About Pariacabo
updated Apr 2018Where it is
The port of Pariacabo is located at the entrance of the city of Kourou along the River Kourou, approx. 62km N from the capital city Cayenne.
The port
The facilities at the port of Pariacabo are mainly used for the needs of the Guiana Space Center (CNES-CSG), as well as oil freight destined for Littoral and West Guiana. GPM-Guyane own the facilities at the port and delegate to CNES-CSG.
Questions about Pariacabo
What are the pilot arrangements at Pariacabo?
Pilotage is compulsory and takes place during daylight hours.
What time zone is Pariacabo in?
Local time at Pariacabo is UTC−3. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Pariacabo?
The deepest berth listed is at Port of Pariacabo: 6.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Pariacabo?
The UN/LOCODE of Pariacabo is GFQKR.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Pariacabo 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.
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.