Port of Spain

1. Port of Spain pilot station: Grier Station and Basin Pilot boards10°36.6′N 061°37.0′W
2. Port of Spain pilot station: Sea Lots Channel Pilot boards10°37.7′N 061°32.0′W

Size limits

LOA 333.3m, draught 11.4m, beam 38.4m, 59,270DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Mean high water 1.1m, mean low water 0.4m. Spring 1.2m, neap 0.9m.

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

Approach

The port is accessed via Grier Channel, approx. 8.5km in length, 122m in width and with a dredged depth of 12.0m. The turning basin has a diameter of 550m. The channel is marked with buoys, some of which are lighted, allowing day and night navigation. Due to channel orientation, the tide creates a cross current establishing a lateral shift of the ship which, in turn, requires a wider path for navigation. As a result, the channel is insufficient for two-way navigation.

Port limits

The port limits of Port of Spain are defined by a line extending WSW from Martin Point (10°40'N 061°34'W) to the E end of Nelson islet, then a 180° line to the parallel of 10°37'N and 090° to shore 5.75nm SE of St Vincent Jetty (10°38'N 061°30'W).

Anchorages

Vessels are permitted to anchor 1nm off the centre line of Grier Channel or Sea Lots Channel to avoid obscuring the light beacons which mark them; neither should they anchor within 0.5nm of the entrance to these channels. It is recommended that vessels of deep draught should not anchor where the under keel clearance is less than 2.0m at LW, as vessel SW inlets may become choked with mud.

Quarantine anchorage: Vessels in quarantine should anchor S or SE of the entrance to Grier Channel, according to draught. The Port Health Officer will board vessels at the anchorage by day or night, but only if from an infected port.

Explosives anchorage: The explosives anchorage is within an area, close S of the entrance to Sea Lots Channel.

Caution: Several underwater obstructions and stranded wrecks lie within the described anchorages.

Restrictions

Harbour area is fronted by a shore bank with depths less than 5m.

It is noted that several underwater obstructions and stranded wrecks lie within the basin, close to the pilot boarding stations. As of 2004, several wrecks lie close W of the two mooring buoys which a N of Sea Lots channel. This may in turn may reduce the width in the Grier channel. More wrecks and obstructions lie within the explosives anchorage, which is located close S of the entrance to Sea Lots channel. Close N of the Grier channel is a spoil ground area with a depth of 4.2m. Vessels with a draught of 3m or more are not advised to navigate the area.

Mariners are advised to give a wide berth and operate with caution, due to the ferry service that is operational between the Port of Spain and San Fernando at 0530 and 2000 hours local time, Monday to Friday.

Tugs

Towage is not necessary for vessels under 1,000t. Vessels above 1,001t require 1 tug and vessels above 15,000t require 2 tugs. Tugs up to 1,200bhp available. Tugs "Snapper" and "Bonito" are equipped with fire fighting equipment.

Mooring

Note: Mooring buoys are located 0.5m SSW of Saint Vincent Pier.

Charts and publications

BA 474, 483. Admiralty Pilot NP7A, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

All Agents/Shipping lines are required to pre-advise the Planning Department one week before a vessel's arrival. Regular updates should then be given at 72, 48, 24, 12 and 6 hours before arrival. All Agents/Shipping lines are required 24 hours before arrival for Deep Sea calls and 10 hours before arrival for Short Sea calls to produce all documentation necessary for the discharge and loading of their vessel to the Planning Department. This information should include stowage plans for discharge and loading. These should be sent via email to: [email protected]. Discharge, Load Lists, and Manifests should include details of hazardous cargo, reefers and out of gauge cargo.

Communications

VHF: Pilots: Ch 12, 16, call Port of Spain Pilots.

Harbour Master: Ch 16; 06 to 17 (inclusive).

Port: Ch 16; 06, 09, 12, 25, 26.

Standard messages

Ship arrival and berth availability.

Notice of readiness

Vessel arrival information at pilot station and when pratique is complete and operations commence - sent via email from Agent/Line to PPOS.

Documents

The Documentation Department require the following documents on arrival, they will be delivered by loading arrangement/loading supervisor.

Health

Vessels in quarantine should anchor S or SE of the entrance to Grier Channel, according to draught. The Port Health Officer will board vessels at the anchorage by day or at night, but only if they are from an infected port.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances for officers and crew are limited to personal effects and gifts. Penalties for non compliance with regulations are fines and seizure of items.

Immigration procedures include boarding of vessels, granting pratique, crew change, crew passes and vessel clearance.

Vessels from countries without diplomatic ties will be restricted from entering the port.

Flags

The Trinidad and Tobago flag and the vessel's port of registry flag must be flown. Fines will be imposed for non compliance with these regulations.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Marine Ship safety and Port Facility Security Unit.

Position: Designated Authority Commander.

Address: Ansa Building, 2nd Floor, Corner Queen & Henry Streets, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Tel: +1 868 623 0002

Fax: +1 868 623 0860

Mob: +1 868 680 0117

Email: [email protected]

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Minor repairs are undertaken; there are two slipways, the largest of which has a capacity of 1,800t. Extensive general repairs are carried out at Chaguaramas Bay. Divers are available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkers: Available at Kings Wharf, berth No. 08 on request through local agent.

Fresh water: pumped to vessels from quayside hydrants.

Medical

Nearest health clinic (equipped with ambulance) available at the port. Other health service providers include Port of Spain General Hospital, St Clair Medical Centre and the Community Hospital Cocorite all within radius of the city. The Eric Williams Medical Sciences complex is located approx. 4.3nm from the port.

Crew change

Crew changes can take place subject to Customs and Immigration policies and procedures.

Transport

Nearest airport: Piarco International Airport (21km) with regular international flights.

Nearest highway: Churchill Roosevelt Highway less than 1.6km from the port.

Working hours

Monday to Sunday - 24hrs a day. Weekend and public holidays - overtime rates applicable. Caricom Wharves: Monday to Friday 0700-2300hrs, additional hours at overtime rates. Office hours Monday to Friday 0800-1600hrs. Shed 10 (Barrel Shop): Monday to Friday 0700-1600hrs, additional hours at overtime rates.

Where it is

Port of Spain, located on the N coast of the island of Trinidad in the NE corner of Gulf of Paria, is the capital city and chief dry cargo port of Trinidad and Tobago.

The port

Port of Spain, which lies within the free trade zone, is one of the most important ports in the West Indies and the main port of Trinidad. It has extensive berths and terminals which are able to accommodate various different vessels including cruise, tankers, containers, fast ferries, fishing, tugs, dredgers, offshore support vessels and vehicle carriers. The harbour has easy access by day or night, with the largest ships able to enter or lie at anchor within 2.7nm of the shore.

Within the Sea Lots channel of the port, there are deep sea tuna fishing and LPG/petroleum products berths.

For berths at Tembladora and Chaguaramas, see separate entries.

Exports: Sugar, molasses, rum, cocoa, coconuts, citrus fruits and coffee.

Imports: Timber, clothing, foodstuffs and manufactured products.

Traffic

Approx. 325,000TEUs handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Port of Spain?

The pilot boards at Port of Spain pilot station: Grier Station and Basin, 10°36.6′N 061°37.0′W. Port of Spain has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Port of Spain in?

Local time at Port of Spain is UTC−4. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Port of Spain?

The deepest berth listed is at Kings Wharf: 11.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Port of Spain?

1025.

Which load line zone is Port of Spain in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Port of Spain?

The UN/LOCODE of Port of Spain is TTPOS.

What crews who called at Port of Spain 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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