Port Neches

Size limits

Max LOA 277.36m, beam 50m, draught 12.2m, 164,236DWT.

Water density

Varies from 1000 to 1013

Load line zone

Summer zone.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

From a position in the approaches to Galveston Bay, in the vicinity of 29°09'N 094°26'W, the route leads NE for 32nm, then ENE for 13nm, within a safety fairway, clear of charted obstructions, to a position in the vicinity of 29°32'N 093°43'W, off Sabine Pass. The pass forms the interstate boundary between the states of Texas and Louisiana.

Safety fairway across the continental shelf: From a position at the edge of the continental shelf, in the vicinity of 27°52'N 092°35'W, the route leads NW for 95nm within a safety fairway. Then N for 17nm, passing clear of the Sabine Bank Lightbuoy (safe water, 29°25'N 093°40'W). Then N for 4nm, passing E of Sabine Bank Light (red conical tower, round base, 29°28'N 093°43'W). Then NW for 4nm to join the coastal route in the vicinity of 29°32'N 093°43'W, off Sabine Pass.

Sabine Bank Channel: From a position on the coastal route, in the vicinity of 29°32'N 093°43'W, the track leads NW, within a dredged channel marked by lightbuoys, for a distance of 6nm.

Sea Bar Channel: Then the alignment (337.5°) of Outer "A" Leading Lights leads through the centre of the channel, marked by lightbuoys, for a distance of 3nm:

Front light (red vertical mark, white stripe, on framework tower, on piles) in 29°39.3'N 093°49.8'W.

Rear light (red vertical mark, white stripe, on framework tower, on piles) 0.5nm NNW of the front light.

Jetty Channel: Then the alignment (347°) of Jetty Channel "B" Leading Lights leads through the centre of the channel, marked by lightbuoys, for a distance of 3nm, passing WSW of East Jetty Head Light (round metal tower, on piles) in 29°38.7'N 093°49.4'W and between Texas and Louisiana Points to enter Sabine Pass:

Front light (red vertical mark, white stripe, on framework tower, on piles) in 29°41.6'N 093°50.3'W.

Rear light (red vertical mark, white stripe, on framework tower) 0.3nm NNW of the front light.

Pass channel: Then the alignment (326°) of Inner "C" leading lights leads through the centre of the channel, marked by lightbuoys, for a distance of 4.8nm, passing NE of Sabine village and Sabine Pass town after 2.5nm and 4nm, respectively:

Front light (red vertical mark, white stripe, on framework tower, on piles) in 29°45.4'N 095°53.4'W.

Rear light (red vertical mark, white stripe, on framework tower, on piles) 0.6nm NW of the front light.

Then the track leads WNW then NNW within the banks of Port Arthur Canal, marked by light beacons, passing SSW of Mesquite Point (29°46'N 093°54'W) at the S end of Sabine Lake, for a distance of 6nm.

Sabine-Neches Canal: From a position at the NW end of Port Arthur Canal, in the vicinity of 29°49.5'N 093°57.5'W, the track, marked by light beacons and leading lights, leads generally NE within the banks of Sabine-Neches Canal, for a distance of 9.5nm to the mouth of the Neches river.

Neches River: Then the track, marked by lightbuoys and light beacons, leads generally NW within the banks of the Neches River for 5nm to Port Neches.

Tugs

Seven tugs are available, 1 x 5,000hp, 3 x 4,700hp, 1 x 3,500hp, 1 x 3,300hp and 1 x 1,600hp.

Charts and publications

BA 3192,3850. Admiralty Pilot NP69A, NP286(5).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.

Documents

Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.

Health

No action initiated unless there is illness onboard.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.

Customs and immigration

For crew not to be detained onboard, each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.

Notices and regulations

Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.

Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.

Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunker: Available for Sunoco Logistics berths.

Freshwater: Available for Sunoco Logistics berths.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, 22.5km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Beaumont Municipal Airport, 31.8km.

Nearest railway: Safety Railway Service, L.P, 28.0km.

Where it is

Port Neches is approx 30nm from the open sea in E Texas.

The port

The port lies on the Neches River which flows into Sabine Lake. The port is mainly used as an oil, LPG and chemical handling port. The Sunoco Logistics Terminal at Smith's Bluff is included in this port details.

Exports include petroleum products, asphalt and roofing material.

What are the pilot arrangements at Port Neches?

The pilot boards in position 29°25'N 093°40'W, adjacent to Sabine Bank Lightbuoy, for ports above Sabine Pass.

What time zone is Port Neches in?

Local time at Port Neches is UTC−6. Clocks go to UTC−5 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−6 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Port Neches?

The deepest berth listed is at Motiva: 12.19 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Port Neches?

Varies from 1000 to 1013

Which load line zone is Port Neches in?

Summer zone.

Who carries out Port State Control at Port Neches?

Port State Control at Port Neches: US Coast Guard.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Neches?

The UN/LOCODE of Port Neches is USPON.

What crews who called at Port Neches 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 Port Neches →