Puerto Cabello

Size limits

LOA 279m, beam 40.3m, draught 10.6m, 68,037DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 0.3m.

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 approached from the NE, passing NW of Alcatraz Island. Puerto Borburata is then entered between Rey Island and Punta La Costica. Puerto Cabello is entered between Punta Rava and Goaigoaza Island. The max authorised draught in the entrance channel is 10.7m.

Anchorages

Prohibited anchorage: Vessels are prohibited from anchoring in the harbour entrance, which is crossed by a submarine power cable and water pipeline S of Fortin Libertador (10°29'N 068°00'W).

Restrictions

Vessels are received and despatched at Puerto Cabello, due to daily high winds it is advisable to enter or sail well before midday. Movements are mainly restricted to daylight times only as there are no lighted buoys, this can lead to congestion with many shipping movements in the morning.

Maximum dimension for vessels bound for Berth No 2 length 175.3m, beam 21.9m, draught 9.45m,

Berth No.1 length 121.9m, draught 6.09m

Tugs

Compulsory, two tugs are required for vessels over length 146m.

Charts and publications

BA 1628, 8065. Admiralty Pilot NP7A, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA to be sent 72 hours prior to vessel's arrival to agent. Additional ETA's to be sent 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival or if a difference in ETA of more than 6 hours occurs after the last ETA message.

ETA message should include the following information: ETA at pilot station, Master's name, last port, ballast condition, last 3 cargoes, arrival/departure draught and arrival/sailing displacement.

Communications

It is recommended to use Mobile Radio, Curacao Radio or Maritex for passing messages. Inmarsat communication is available.

VHF: Pilots & Port: Ch 16, 12.

Tel: +58 242 361 9235, Fax: +58 242 361 7320, e-mail: [email protected].

Notice of readiness

NOR is tendered in accordance with the Charter Party. The normal place for tendering NOR is on arrival at the anchorage or all fast at the berth.

Documents

Customs and Harbour Master's clearance are prepared and delivered onboard by the agent prior to vessel's departure.

Cargo documents such as Bills of Lading, Quality and Quantity Certificates, Certificates of Origin, etc are prepared/released by terminal operators. These documents are presented to the Master prior to departure for his signature.

Health

Pratique and Customs clearance can only be granted on arrival either at anchorage or on completion of berthing.

Vessels coming from ports which have cholera will not be allowed to deballast overboard. A sanitary inspection is performed at the pilot station prior to entering port.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: An allowance is made for approx 5 days of cigarettes and alcohol out of bond. The bond is sealed after the vessel's clearance. Additional allowances may be made on request to the Customs authorities. Bonded items are not allowed to be taken ashore. Penalty is confiscation and a possible fine.

Immigration: Issue shore passes that are valid for 72 hours.

Flags

The national ensign of Venezuela should be displayed in port. Vessels not complying will receive orders from the National Guard to stop cargo operations. A written report will be requested prior to cargo operations recommencing.

Notices and regulations

Vessels carrying explosives or ammunition may only dock by day, leaving harbour at 1700hrs and anchoring outside over night.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Instituto Nacional de los Espacios Acuaticos.

Position: Gerente de Puertos.

Address: Av Rio Orinoco, Urb Las Mercedes, EDF Inea Piso 3, Caracas, Venezuela.

Tel: +58 212 909 1540

Fax: +58 212 909 1540

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.inea.gob.ve

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

ISPS Compliance: The US Coast Guard has reported that a vessel arriving at US ports in one of its five subsequent calls from ports in Venezuela will be subject to increased attention and are more likely to be boarded and inspected due to their country's failure to maintain effective anti terrorism measures. To ensure compliance with USCG regulations masters must increase vessel security to equivalent of Marsec Level 2 standards while in Venezuelan ports.

Repairs

Available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available, can be supplied by road tanker.

Bunkering: Available by road tanker. Berth No 1 Puerto Borburata used for the bunkering of small vessels up to 121m length.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Puerto Cabello.

Transport

Nearest airport: Michelena International Airport in Valencia, 10 mins from the port.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Puerto Cabello is situated on the NW coast of Venezuela, approx 120km W of Caracas.

The port

One of the major ports on the Venezuelan coast providing facilities for the handling of general cargoes, containers, Ro-Ro, bulk cargoes and chemicals. Lagoven Oil Terminal and Puerto Borburata are both outside the main harbour but are under the jurisdiction of Puerto Cabello.

Venterminales Pier is a private terminal, see separate entry.

Exports: Hardwood, coffee, cocoa, indigo, hides, sugar and asbestos fibre.

Imports: General cargo, machinery, copra and sesame seed.

Traffic

Approx 9,000,000t cargo, 400,000TEU handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Puerto Cabello?

Pilotage is compulsory in the navigable waters S of 10°34'N and W of 067°57'W.

What time zone is Puerto Cabello in?

Local time at Puerto Cabello is UTC−4. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Puerto Cabello?

The deepest berth listed is at Port of Puerto Cabello: 10.60 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Puerto Cabello?

1025.

Which load line zone is Puerto Cabello in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Puerto Cabello?

The UN/LOCODE of Puerto Cabello is VEPBL.

What crews who called at Puerto Cabello 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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