Puerto Cortes

1. Puerto Cortes boarding position A Pilot boards15°50.1′N 087°57.8′W
2. Puerto Cortes boarding position B Pilot boards15°52.0′N 087°58.0′W
3. Puerto Cortes boarding position: Omoa LPG Terminal Pilot boards15°49.0′N 088°02.9′W

Size limits

Harbour: Max LOA 478m, beam 59.0m, draught 14.0m and 80,274DWT.

Offshore: Max LOA 230m, BCM 114.42M, draught 11.60m and 55,131DWT.

Water density

1028-1030.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.

Tides

Tidal range (Spring/Neap) 0.2m.

Current within the harbour is reported to be uncertain and as a result large vessels approaching the piers are required to do so with caution. Unexpected currents and winds may be experienced. The current is often contrary to the wind. A significant E'ly current was experienced 2nm N of Punta Caballos.

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

Approach

The channel should be approached from the NNE, passing close W of Punta Caballos. An alternative route from the W requires pilotage from a position N of Punta de Omoa. The channel is approx 1,200m in length and 400m in width, min depth 13.5m MLW. The entrance is marked by a green buoy (No 1) portside and red buoy (No 2) on starboard side. Vessels should pass approx 100m clear of red buoy (No 4) on starboard side and to pass green buoy (No 3) on port side, off Berth No 1 (Texaco).

Caution: There is 1.5kts current setting from W to E in channel entry.

Port limits

Vessels are considered arrived once entered in the bay of Puerto Cortes.

Anchorages

There is good anchorage off the town, in depths 11.0-16.5m, mud and sand. Port regulations require that all vessels anchor at least 0.5nm from the wharves to assure manoeuvring room for vessels docking and undocking.

Restrictions

Submarine lines extend seaward approz 2nm NNW from the N peninsula of Puerto Cortes.

Tugs

Five tugs available, 2 x 1,800hp, 1 x 2,420hp, 1 x 2,720hp, 1 x 2,800hp. One tug is compulsory for berthing and unberthing vessels of 300GT and over; 2 tugs are compulsory for berthing and unberthing vessels of 10,000GT and more. If vessel is equipped with bow thruster, only 1 tug is compulsory. The use of a tug for vessels over 1,000GT is compulsory.

Mooring

No special requirements, generally 2 mooring gangs.

All vessels are always subject to shifting to anchorage in order to make space for vessels with preference (fruit and container vessels).

Charts and publications

BA 2988, HO 28150 and 18163. Admiralty Pilot NP69A, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

The notice of ETA is required 72 hours in advance and should include details of maximum draught, previous port, next port and security information. Confirmation of ETA should be sent 48, 12 and 6 hours in advance.

ETA for stevedores should be given 72, 48, 24 12 and 6 hours before arrival to agent.

Notice of readiness

A vessel is considered arrived once entered into the Bay of Puerto Cortes.

Documents

A full documentation list and distribution for Honduran ports is under Country information.

Health

In the event of any suspected disease or fever onboard, same to be advised to agents prior to vessel's arrival in order to verify procedures with authorities.

All crew members must have a valid Cholera Vaccination Certificate.

Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates are available. Quarantine officials board vessels at the wharves.

Quarantine: Officials board vessels when berthed.

Customs and immigration

Regulations require all crew changes be notified. To ensure compliance masters are required to hand over all the passports of all crew leaving the vessel. The master must ensure that all crew joining the vessel have passed through the immigration office and hold a permit from the local Labour Relations Office.

Notices and regulations

Vessels should always be ready to shift at short notice, as required by the port authority. Should maintenance or repairs, which results in immobilisation of more than 2 hours be necessary, prior approval for the same must be arranged, upon request.

Tanker loading must be done with shore pumps, unloading is done with vessel's pumps. Loading and unloading of bulk and general cargoes to be done with vessel's gear and equipment; loading and unloading of containers usually with shore container cranes and vessel's cranes.

The possession of drugs is forbidden, the master of any vessel on which drugs are found is liable to a long sentence as accessory to such a crime.

Traffic Regulations: Vessels may enter and depart at any time, subject to prior arrangement.

Clearance is available between 0600-2000hrs. Clearance at other times is subject to prior arrangement.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Comision Nacional de Proteccion Portuaria.

Position: Executive Secretary

Address: Colonia Palmira, Boulevard Morazan, Avenida Juan Lindo, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Tel: +504 221 6450

Fax: +504 221 6451

Mob: +504 990 6994

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

Small repairs can be arranged.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at Berths No 3, 4 and 5 at approx 50tph.

Bunkering: Available from Texaco, min notice 72 hours (working day) in order to blend product, subject to availability. Delivery either by road tanker or at Berth No 1 (Texaco) by pipeline. Any other details to be clarified with suppliers, Texaco.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Hospital De La Bahia (0.75km) and Hospital Puerto Cortes (3.4km). Additional medical facilities located in Puerto Cortes. If possible, agent to be advised of any requirements 48 or 24 hours prior to vessel's arrival. However any immediate assistance can be arranged. Hospital and dental care facilities are available.

Crew change

Embarking/disembarking of crew can be arranged by agent.

Transport

Nearest airport: Aeropuerto Internacional Ramon Villeda Morales, San Pedro Sula (43km).

Nearest highway: The port has access to Highway CA13.

Nearest public transport: Bus routes throughout Puerto Cortes.

Working hours

The stevedore working hours are from Monday to Friday 0700-1200hrs, 1300-1700hrs, 1800-2300hrs, 2330-0600hrs; Saturday, Sunday and holidays first shift starts at 0800hrs. The office working hours for government officials are roughly from Monday to Friday 0800-1600hrs.

Where it is

Puerto Cortes is located close E of Punta Caballos in the NE of Bahia de Cortes, Gulf of Honduras.

The port

Puerto Cortes, the principal port of Honduras, is equipped with a wide range of facilities for handling vessels including: container, PCC, tankers and bulk carriers. The port, spread along the coast of Puerto Cortes, is one of the most important on the Atlantic side of Central America and houses an oil refinery, offshore facility and Free Trade Zone.

Bulk facilities available at the port include the handling off aggregates, coal, iron ore, petcoke, grain whilst liquid cargo facilities include fuel oil, chemicals and molasses.

The harbour has natural protection from three sides with an opening to the W and no swell problems most of the time.

Traffic

Approx 15,000,000t of cargo, 726,000TEU and 1,600 vessels are handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Puerto Cortes?

The pilot boards at Puerto Cortes boarding position A, 15°50.1′N 087°57.8′W. Puerto Cortes has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Puerto Cortes in?

Local time at Puerto Cortes is UTC−6. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Puerto Cortes?

The deepest berth listed is at Avanza Terminal: 14.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Puerto Cortes?

1028-1030.

Which load line zone is Puerto Cortes in?

North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Puerto Cortes?

The UN/LOCODE of Puerto Cortes is HNPCR.

What crews who called at Puerto Cortes 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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