PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Rosario
Pilot
updated May 2010Pilotage is compulsory. One River Plate pilot embarks at Recalada pilot station or at Montevideo joint point (35°03'S 056°09'W). Then two River Parana pilots embark at Zona Comun and sail the vessel up to Rosario roads. Harbour pilot will board vessel in the outer roads.
Key data
updated Jan 2023Size limits
LOA 239.99m, beam 38.02m, 98,697DWT.
Water density
1000.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Currents can reach a speed of 6kts.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal Granelera (Unidad VI y VII) Km 142 | — | 230 m | 2 |
| Villa Gobernador Galvez (VGG) Terminal | — | 235 m | 1 |
| Punta Alvear Terminal | — | 240 m | 1 |
| Terminal Multipurpose North (TPR) | — | 229 m | 3 |
| Terminal Multipurpose South (TPR) | — | 229 m | 1 |
| Sorrento Mill Power Station | 7.50 m | 135 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2010Approach
The river channel, within the limits of the port, is dredged to a minimum depth of 7.6m.
Port limits
The port extends along the SW bank from the mouth of the Arroyo Saladillo, to the mouth of Arroyo Luduena, 6.5nm upriver.
Restrictions
Depending on the height of the river, vessels can usually load to the max draught permitted to navigate between Rosario and the River Plate, ie 8.22m, if proceeding by the Mitre Channel. When using the Martin Garcia Channel the permitted draught is less.
Maximum speed is 6kts within channel off berths.
Tugs
Available, but not compulsory. If required they must be ordered from Villa Constitucion.
Charts and publications
BA 1982B. Admiralty Pilot NP5, NP286(7).
Reporting before arrival
updated May 2010Communications
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: Radio Packeco: Ch 09, 11, 12, 13 and 20.
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. At times of upriver congestion, with berths and roads fully occupied, Prefectura Naval Argentina (Coastguard) will require vessels to wait at Zona Comun (Buenos Aires/La Plata roads pilotage embarkation, disembarkation point at Km 37, off Buenos Aires) or eventually, in cases of severe congestion, at Recalada at the mouth of the River Plate. In these latter cases, appointed agents will inform Master of situation and Prefectura (CONTRASE), via VHF to pilot, will advise if a vessel is not permitted to proceed. In these cases, when the vessel is being prevented from getting any closer to its berth, NOR should be presented on arrival/anchoring at Zona Comun or Recalada. Again, in the case of vessels obliged to wait at Zona Comun or Recalada, the steaming time from these anchorages to the port roads and/or berth, is usually discounted. A provision to this effect should, preferably, be added to the Charter Party. 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.
Entrance Declaration, Immigration Declaration, Port Health Free Pratique 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) Oficer 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 is possible.
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.
Inspections
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
Port services
updated Jun 2017Repairs
Limited repairs can be carried out by local workshops. For larger jobs naval repair firms from Buenos Aires must be employed. Divers available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at all berths, except Punta Alvear which requires barge delivery.
Bunkering: Available by pipeline on some berths, or by barge. Bunkers must be arranged through suppliers and delivery by road tankers/barge at all city wharfs, New (South) Wharf and Unit III elevators, if terminal or wharf operators approved.
Stores: Limited amounts only.
Medical
Provincial Hospital of Rosario, 1.4km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Islas Malvinas International Airport located at Santa Fe, 17.1km.
Nearest railway: There is rail link in Rosario, 2km.
Working hours
Normally 0600 to 1200hrs and 1200 to 1800hrs. Overtime is available by special arrangement.
About Rosario
updated Jun 2017Where it is
Rosario is situated on the right bank of River Parana at Km 400.
The port
The port is an inland and major goods-shipping centre of Argentina. Located on West shore of Parana River. The port mainly handles bulk grain, fertilizer, foodstuffs, steel products, machinery, container, general cargo, vegetable oil and tanker.
Questions about Rosario
What are the pilot arrangements at Rosario?
Pilotage is compulsory.
What time zone is Rosario in?
Local time at Rosario is UTC−3. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Rosario?
The deepest berth listed is at Sorrento Mill Power Station: 7.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Rosario?
1000.
Which load line zone is Rosario in?
Summer.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Rosario?
The UN/LOCODE of Rosario is ARROS.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Rosario 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.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.