PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Port Esquivel
Pilot
updated Mar 2017- Port Esquivel pilot boarding position 1 Pilot boards17°52.4′N 077°06.4′W
- Port Esquivel pilot boarding position 2 Pilot boards17°42.3′N 077°02.6′W
Compulsory. The compulsory pilotage limit is 2nm to seaward of a line drawn from Polink Point to Bare Bush Cay to Portland Cay to Portland Point. Pilots should be ordered by radio through local agent 48 hours in advance from Kingston.
Pilot normally boards 1nm N of Pigeon Island, off the Fairway Lightbuoys (17°52.40'N 077°06.45'W) but on request, will board at the pilot station off Lightbuoys Nos 1 and 2 (17°42.3'N 077°02.8'W).
Agents alert Pilots on ship's ETA & ETD at least 3hrs before required time. Pilot boards and guides the ships in and out of the channel. Pilotage is charged according to GT.
Key data
updated May 2021Size limits
LOA 198m, beam 29.5m, draught 11.1m.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.
Tides
HW: 0.4m
LW: 0.09m
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Indies Alumina Co. Ltd. - Port Esquivel | 11.10 m | 198 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Mar 2017Approach
Vessels proceed through a dredged channel approx 1nm in length with a minimum depth of 12.8m. The entrance channel and turning basin are marked on both sides by beacons and lightbuoys.
Charts and publications
BA 255, 257, 457. Admiralty Pilot NP70, NP286(7).
Reporting before arrival
updated Mar 2017ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels should send their ETA 48 and 24 hours in advance to the agent at Kingston.
Communications
Frequency: VHF Ch 11 (working VHF Ch 17).
Pilot: Ch 16, 10, 11 and 12.
Notice of readiness
NOR to be tendered on arrival.
Inspections
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Port Authority of Jamaica.
Position: Vice President of Security.
Address: 15-17 Duke Street, Kingston, Jamaica.
Tel: +1 876 922 0290.
Fax: +1 876 924 9437.
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Description: Located in the Caribbean, Jamaica is the third largest island in the West Indies.
Port services
updated May 2021Repairs
Welding and minor ship repairs available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkers: Available with notice.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Sandy Bay Health Centee (8km).
Transport
Nearest airport: Airport Jaworek (35km).
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Port Esquivel
updated May 2021Where it is
Port Esquivel is located near Old Harbour in St Catherine at the head of Portland Bight on the southern coast of Jamaica.
The port
The port was built for the export of bulk alumina but also handles other bulk commodities such as heavy lift cargoes, oil, caustic soda, cement and grain.
Traffic
Approx. 71 vessels handled by the port annually.
Questions about Port Esquivel
Where does the pilot board at Port Esquivel?
The pilot boards at Port Esquivel pilot boarding position 1, 17°52.4′N 077°06.4′W. Port Esquivel has 2 pilot boarding places.
What time zone is Port Esquivel in?
Local time at Port Esquivel is UTC−5. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Port Esquivel?
The deepest berth listed is at West Indies Alumina Co. Ltd. - Port Esquivel: 11.10 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Port Esquivel?
1025.
Which load line zone is Port Esquivel in?
North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Esquivel?
The UN/LOCODE of Port Esquivel is JMPEV.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Port Esquivel 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 Port Esquivel →
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.