Santa Fe

Size limits

Max LOA 128.60m beam 20.40m, draught 6m and 13,091DWT.

Water density

1000.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Nil.

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 via an access channel which has a length of 6,085m, width 80m, depth 7.8m.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Canal Acceso is an artificial channel 40m wide and dredged to a depth of 5.5m allowing access to the port. River craft, small coastal and barges are able to pass each other along the canal however ocean going vessels are prohibited to do so.

The maximum speed in the entrance channel is 5kts. Pilots may advise on other speeds and within the port the maximum speed is 3.5kts.

Anchorages

The anchorage position for vessels waiting to enter the port is S of the outer entrance, Km 583 Parana River, max 2 vessels waiting to load.

If there is a possibility of congestion in the port, vessels may have to anchor at Diamante until either the berth is free or an anchorage is available at Santa Fe.

Restrictions

Vessels proceeding outbound (down river) must leave Santa Fe in sufficient time to pass the bar at Los Bajaros during daylight hours.

In the event of fog vessels are prohibited from entering or departing without special permission.

Tugs

It should be noted that as there is only one tug available at Santa Fe, the Coastguard have granted exemption from the need to use 2 tugs when required by the authorities. The appropriate place to take and/or let go tug, will be decided by the Master.

A pusher tug helps the servicing of the Raizen Argentina S.A. Terminal.

Mooring

Three conveyors are available at the Cargo Berth, the max clearance of the conveyors above the water levels at datum is 18.7m. Note: A further deduction may need to be made depending on the height of the river above datum at any time.

Charts and publications

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

Communications

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: Santa Fe Radio: Ch 09, 12, 14, 16.

Coastguard: Ch 09, traffic and security messages. Vessels arriving at Santa Fe must call via VHF Ch 09 and 12 from Km 520 or before.

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 up-river 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.

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.

Customs office works 0800-1430hrs.

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

Repairs

Minor repairs are available at two workshops.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available from Basin No. 01 and Terminal Agrograneles (along the quay).

Bunkering: Available by road tanker, three working days notice is required.

Stores: Available locally.

Medical

Nearest hospital: AMUR Medical Centre (0.3km), Sanatorio Garay (1.2km) and Hospital Protomedico Manuel Rodriguez (13km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Sauce Viejo Airport (11.65km) and General Justo Jose de Urquiza Airport (25km).

Nearest highway: The port has access to National Road 11 (RN11). The route runs 980km and runs S to Rosario and N to the border of Paraguay at Clorinda. The port also has access to National Road 19 (NR19). The route travels W to Cordoba.

Nearest public transport: Bus routes throughout Santa Fe.

Working hours

Normally 0700-1300hrs and 1300-1900hrs, sat 0700-1300hrs. Overtime can be arranged.

Port administration 0700-1500hrs.

Where it is

Santa Fe is situated 92nm above Rosario and 320nm by river from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The port

Santa Fe is a small multipurpose port on the River Parana, handling cargoes including containers, breakbulk, grain (cracked corn, soybeans) and petroleum products. The port consists of a petroleum berth servicing the Santa Fe plant, Coastal Wharf and two basins; Basin No. 01 and Basin No. 02 (no longer is use). In recent years, dredging has not taken place and due to a progressive embankment the port no longer operates ocean going vessels. As a result, the port is used infrequently and visited only by small coastal, river vessels and barges.

The port had serviced a container circuit to the Port of La Plata for a minimum of two calls per month in a two year contract. After two years however, the agreement expired and was ultimately discontinued (2023).

What are the pilot arrangements at Santa Fe?

Compulsory. Harbour and river pilots are stationed at Rosario and Buenos Aires.

What time zone is Santa Fe in?

Local time at Santa Fe is UTC−3. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Santa Fe?

The deepest berth listed is at Raizen Argentina S.A.: 6.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Santa Fe?

1000.

Which load line zone is Santa Fe in?

Summer.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Santa Fe?

The UN/LOCODE of Santa Fe is ARSFN.

What crews who called at Santa Fe 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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