San Lorenzo - San Martin

Size limits

LOA 254.97m, beam 43m, draught 11.6m, 120,640DWT.

Water density

1000.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

The river level at San Lorenzo has mean levels of 0.3m and 4.0m above datum at low and high river levels respectively. Mean level is approx 2.6m above datum level.

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 directly from the main channel of the Parana River and is the uppermost deep water port, capable of accepting Panamax vessels. The river depth is maintained at no less than 10.36m, using a private contractors.

Depths at River berths and along the channels may be subject to rapid change depending on weather and flood conditions.

Traffic schemes and VTS

CONTRASE: The Traffic Security Control System (CONTRASE) is operated by the nearest Argentinian Prefectura Naval CRS (PNCRS). Vessels are required their time of passing the nearest PNCRS and ETA at destination. (Refer also to Communications Section). Principal language used should be Spanish.

SECOSENA: Prefectura Naval Argentina provides the Safety of Navigation Communication Service (SECOSENA) through any Prefectura Naval Radio (PNR) Coast Station. Participation in the system is mandatory for most vessels and free of charge. (Refer also to Communications Section).

All messages should be sent to the nearest Prefectura Naval Radio Station on VHF Ch 16 if possible, otherwise by MF/HF. If this is not possible contact should be made via another Naval Radio Station or Coast Radio Station. Messages should be in Spanish and, if this is not possible, the International Code of Signals, or the Q-Code, making use of the Standard Maritime navigational vocabulary.

Vessels should also report any accidents, dangers to navigation, abnormalities to aides to navigation or if any urgent medical assistance is required.

Restrictions

The access channel requires constant dredging, but the draught to which vessels can load depends on the depth of the river which has seasonal and meteorological variations. When the river is high there is sufficient depth in the port and access channel for vessels to load to the draught allowed for in the Mitre Channel. The max LOA in the Mitre Channel is 230m but is unrestricted at Martin Garcia Bar where draught is the determining factor.

Airdraught: The river is spanned by a bridge close to Zarate [Km107] restricting airdraught to approx 43m subject to river level.

UKC: Min Under Keel Clearance in the river is 0.6m.

Tugs

Following concerns about safety, in accordance with updated Regulations issued by the local Coast Guard, all vessels mooring at Axion, Chacabuco (YPF), Nidera, El Transito, Pampa an Dempa Terminals are required to use tug boats for their departures. This applies to manoeuvres and when continuing to proceed either up river or turning downstream.

Vessels with LOA160m are exempt; those with LOA160 m to LOA 210m are required to use one tugs; while vessels over LOA210m should use two tugs.

There are tugs stationed at Vila Constitucion but prior notice is required to give sufficient time to activate these.

Note: Due to varying depths and the constant shifting banks, it is recommended to check information on this periodically and the latest regulations concerning limitations and use of tugs.

Mooring

The port area consists of privately owned and operated Terminals. Each operator must be contacted for individual mooring instructions. Some Terminals, adjacent but operating independent of each other, may, on occasion, work together to berth a vessels and use common shoreside facilities.

La Alumbrera Terminal (Minera Alumbrera Ltd): Outlying bow and stern mooring points 348m apart.

Charts and publications

BA 1982B. Admiralty Pilot NP5, NP286(7).

For navigation up the River Parana to San Lorenzo-San Martin: BA 1233, 1324, 1325, 1326, 1327, 1328, 1329 and 1330.

Argentina - Navigation Plan CR-1, Sheet 17.

US Coast Pilot No 124 (East Coast of South America).

Communications

CONTRASE (see above): The Traffic Security Control System (CONTRASE) is operated by the nearest Argentinian Prefectura Naval CRS (PNCRS). Vessels are required to report their time of passing the nearest PNCRS and ETA at destination. Contact with CONTRASE is normally maintained by the Pilot, on the Master's behalf.

SECOSENA (see above): Prefectura Naval Argentina provides the Safety of Navigation Communication Service (SECOSENA) through any Prefectura Naval Radio (PNR) Coast Station. Participation in the system is mandatory for most vessels and free of charge and should start as soon as the vessel enters Argentinian waters.

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.

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) 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 is possible.

Notices and regulations

CERTIFICATES of Competency: The Coastguard (PNA) may require 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.

BERTH ASSIGNMENT: Berthing at all private grain, chemical or oil terminals is in conjunction with terminal operations and contact should be established about 10 days before vessel's arrival and thereafter closely maintained. Priority is given normally according to order of arrival subject to availability of cargo, readiness of export documentation and decision of respective Terminal Manager.

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

Repairs

Only limited repairs by local and Rosario workshops. Larger repairs at Buenos Aires.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at some terminals.

Bunkering: Service is usually only available at anchorage, with prior notice. Bunker deliveries are normally not permitted at berths. Risler SA operate a service using bunkering barges MT "Sofia" and MT "Mar Chiquita" obtaining their bunkering fuel from the YPF SA Terminal (ex Oil Cumbustibles/Petrobras).

Stores: Available, usually from Buenos Aires. Vessels berthed at grain terminals usually supplied by launch arranged by ship chandler.

Medical

There is a provincial hospital in Rosario, 24km and clinics available locally in San Lorenzo and San Martin.

Transport

Nearest airport: Rosario International Airport, 32km, domestic flights to Buenos Aires.

Nearest railway: Rosario, 24km.

The ports have road links with Rosario.

Working hours

Mon-Fri 0600-1200hrs and 1200-1800hrs. Sat 0600-1200hrs, overtime is available by special arrangement.

Where it is

San Lorenzo and San Martin are situated on the left bank of the River Parana, 16nm above Rosario and 238nm from Martin Garcia Bar at the River Plate entrance.

The port

San Lorenzo and San Martin, together with other smaller towns constitute the N area of greater Rosario. The port areas of San Lorenzo and San Martin are commonly referred to in the shipping industry as San Lorenzo.

The majority of the port consists of privately owned berths and terminals. The nature of the river's steep shoreline, the large rise and fall in water levels and the location of storage and discharge facilities, results in a substantial amount of conveyor equipment supplying huge towers dominating awaiting vessels on the dolphin berths below. As the port area is so far inland, some berth names also indicate the number of Kilometres they are located up the River Parana, from the open sea.

Cargoes principally handled are grain, animal feeds and vegetable oils along with refined petroleum products, LPG and chemicals. The port includes what is reportedly the Iargest soybean processing business in the world, the Molinos Rio de la Plata Plant. The Oil Combustibles Refinery (one of the largest in Argentina) and its facilities, which include a Terminal and three river berths at San Lorenzo, has been sold to YPF SA.

Traffic

Approx 42,000,000t of cargo and 2,890 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at San Lorenzo - San Martin?

Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels.

What time zone is San Lorenzo - San Martin in?

Local time at San Lorenzo - San Martin is UTC−3. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at San Lorenzo - San Martin?

The deepest berth listed is at Bunge Argentina - Pampa: 11.61 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at San Lorenzo - San Martin?

1000.

Which load line zone is San Lorenzo - San Martin in?

Summer.

What is the UN/LOCODE of San Lorenzo - San Martin?

The UN/LOCODE of San Lorenzo - San Martin is ARSLO.

What crews who called at San Lorenzo - San Martin 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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