Punta Colorada

Size limits

Bulk carriers up to LOA 250m, draught 12.5m, 70,000DWT can be accommodated.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Mean spring range approx 6.7m, mean neap range approx 4.6m.

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 SE of Punta Bermeja (41°09'S 063°03'W) the track leads WSW for about 90nm, clear of dangers, to approach the terminal directly.

Anchorages

Anchorage can be found, in good weather, 1nm E of the terminal where tidal streams are weak. It is recommended that approach is from the N.

Restrictions

Winds 25kts and above may halt operations and cause the port to close.

Mooring

Two sets of dolphins on either berth are set approx 65m apart and are fitted with two bollards and a capstan for reception of back springs. Mooring buoys are laid ahead. On arrival, vessel may use either dolphin berth, depending on tide and weather conditions. Vessels must arrive with at least 8 mooring warps onboard, of 220m length and 6.35cm to 7.62cm diameter.

Berthing facilities should be checked before arrival. Reportedly, in the right conditions, providing appropriate mooring buoys are in place, smaller vessels may berth in a NW to SE direction using the East dolphin of the North berth and the North dolphin of the East berth, as the radial loader would cover this area.

Charts and publications

BA 3330, 3331, Arg H-275, H-276. Admiralty Pilot NP5, NP286(7).

Communications

Punta Colorada Prefectura Naval Radio (Coastguard): VHF Ch 16.

Note: As soon as a call from a ship is detected, on any frequency, the auto scanner system will stop and will establish contact. The station will then return to the main scanning loop.

The ship must wait for the message and then change over signal to send traffic. The first row of the message must start with the telex number and the message must end with KKKK. The ship will then receive the time to be charged for the contact. It is then ready to send a new message or return to stand by mode.

VHF: Ch 06, 08, 10, 12, 14, 16.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered in accordance with Charter Party terms.

This is alongside if berth is free on arrival or on anchoring in the port roads if berth is occupied or if charterer, for any reason, does not accept vessel alongside.

If loading at more than one port, NOR should be presented at first loading port only, unless otherwise stated in the relevant Charter Party or contract; notwithstanding that the Master is obliged to keep agents/charterers well informed of progress and position whilst shifting between ports.

Documents

An additional copy of all the above, except Crew Shore Passes and Passenger Landing Cards, should be made for the Master to keep on file in case they are required.

Note: CU = Customs, IM = Immigration, CG = Prefectura (Coastguard), PH = Sanidad (Port Health), AG = Agent, FP = Federal Police.

Prefectura (Coastguard) Declaration, Immigration Declaration and Customs Declarations are all presented to the Master, on special forms, for his signature by the attending agent and officials.

Cargo Manifests or In Ballast Declaration: Cargo Manifests or a Ballast Manifest have to be presented on arrival but these are normally dealt with, on behalf of the Master, by the agent. In the case of Buenos Aires, a computerised Manifest for all ports of call is transmitted directly from the agent's office to the Customs House, the "Maria" system being used.

In all other cases, an indexed manifest, in the prescribed form, is presented to the Customs Officer attending the vessel on arrival. Notwithstanding the above, at outside ports the Master is also required to present up to 4 manifests on arrival. This usually refers to vessels carrying bulk cargoes such as fertilisers.

Health

Pratique should be applied for at least 3 working days prior to arrival. The pratique message can be passed to the ship's agent by telex of fax for onward transmission to the Port Health Authorities.

Free pratique is only granted after Sanidad (Port Health) Officer attends on arrival. This visit does not normally prevent the commencement of cargo operations.

Cholera: The salient points of Ministry of Health and Social Security regulation No 1333 of 1.12.92, affecting vessels arriving, are in Country section.

Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates: To obtain a new Ship Sanitation Control Certificate with fumigation, a minimum of 30 hours is required.

If Ship Sanitation Control Certificate expires on route, or is due to expire within a few days, exemptions for 6 months can be obtained if applied for between 0700 to 1300hrs, Mon to Fri. Outside these times, Port Health will grant an extension for 30 days.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: The daily allowance is 40 cigarettes and 0.25 bottle of spirits. For non compliance a fine of from 1-5 times the value of the goods plus duties on any extra cigarettes/spirits above the given limit.

Immigration: An Immigration Officer attends onboard to stamp Crew Shore Passes and Passenger Landing Cards. The crew require an Argentine Shore Pass (fichas) on which appear a thumb print and photograph as well as personal details. If they are not already onboard they are prepared on the vessel's entry. A photographer can attend onboard. The Master, in the ETA message, should state how many crew members require shore passes. Passengers require passports and landing cards.

There are no restrictions for either crew or passengers to proceed ashore with the above mentioned documents.

Flags

The national flag of Argentina is to be flown from the highest point on the vessel from sunrise to sunset. Fine for non compliance is an unspecified amount. It is important to fly the "Q" flag on entering port until free pratique is granted by the Port Health officer attending onboard. Fine for non compliance.

Notices and regulations

Transmission of all SECOSENA messages is via MF or HF radio.

Certificates of Competency: The Coastguard (PNA) has, recently, been asking to see all deck, engine and radio officers Certificates of Competency. They must be valid and acceptable to the country under whose flag the vessel is registered. This refers in particular to vessels sailing under flags of convenience.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Prefectura Naval Argentina.

Contact person: General Prefect, Prefecto Nacional Naval.

Address: Av Eduardo Madero 235, piso 2, 1106 Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Tel: +54 11 4318 7521/7522/7523

Fax: +54 11 4314 0317.

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www. prefecturanaval.gov.ar

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

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Trelew (176km), Sierra Grande (32km).

Nearest railway: San Antonio Este (120km).

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Punta Colorada is situated on the Hipasam peninsula in the Golfo San Matias.

The port

Punta Colorada pier is used for the export of iron ore pellets and is now operated by MCC Minera Sierra Grande, who were awarded a 20 year concession by the Government of Rio Negro Province, after the facilities had been inactive for 15 years. Initially, shipments were once or twice a month but, more recently, with an unstable global iron ore market, the pier is seldom used with only four vessel calls in one year. Reportedly, the small harbour at the head of the iron ore pier is being developed into a fishing port.

Traffic

Approx 150,000t are handled annually (Port severely affected by unstable iron ore market across globe).

What are the pilot arrangements at Punta Colorada?

Compulsory. Arranged via Puerto Madryn.

What time zone is Punta Colorada in?

Local time at Punta Colorada is UTC−3. No summer time.

What is the water density at Punta Colorada?

1025.

Which load line zone is Punta Colorada in?

Summer.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Punta Colorada?

The UN/LOCODE of Punta Colorada is ARPCO.

What crews who called at Punta Colorada 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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