Trombetas

Size limits

LOA 245m, beam 40m, 99,990DWT.

Water density

1000.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

There are no tides in the Trombetas River where the current flows downstream at a velocity that varies from 0.5kts during dry periods to 1.5kts during high water period (Apr. - Aug.) and may reach 2kts close to its mouth.

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

Approach

Passage is initially along the Amazon River via North bar and then along the Trombetas River.

Proceeding from sea: Vessels proceeding from sea should enter the fairway at 3nm SE of Barra Norte Lightfloat "AMAZONAS No 1".

After passing the light vessel, in a SW'ly direction vessels have to pass close to 3 Safe Water Buoys to reach the entrance to the Curua Channel.

The narrow section of the seaward end of the Curua Channel is marked with 13 lightbuoys (lateral marks - IALA System "B"). The position of these buoys can, at times change, due to alterations in the surrounding area.

After passing Curua Channel, vessels enter the N Channel of the Amazon River and then proceed to Fazendinha Anchorage (for Port Authority inspection and pilot boarding). When passing Macapa vessels must contact ARENS LAGEN (see traffic schemes below).

From Macapa to Trombetas River: This section is about 400nm and is navigable by day and night for vessels less than LOA 245m. Hydrographic and topographic changes in the river occur continuously. Vessels normally reduce speed when passing Obidos and keep to the far bank.

Sometimes, mainly from Apr to Aug, large logs/trees and other floating debris drifts down the Amazon River. A proper lookout for such debris should be maintained to prevent an accident.

Before entering the Trombetas River, Masters must obtain permission, if not granted vessels must anchor at the confluence of the rivers at position 01°54.5'S 055°36.0'W (mud bottom).

Sailing on Trombetas River: The Trombetas River has navigational aids providing safe navigation day and night.

The minimum depth in the Trombetas River is 12.2m CD at Estirao do Franca passage (wide and straight section of the river about 10nm long).

Vessels must reduce speed when passing in front of Oriximina to avoid damaging the many small boats and ferries alongside the city.

The channel off the terminal is 350m wide and the turning basin, located about 800m upstream from the terminal and abeam of the water pumping station, has a diameter of about 450m.

Note: A turning basin lies 0.4nm upstream of the Bauxite Terminal.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Vessels proceeding from the sea inbound to Port Trombetas shall send ETA Barra Norte Lighfloat to ARENS LANGEN Macapa 72 hours prior to arrival. During transit to Fazendinha (Macapa), vessels will receive from ARENS LANGEN - Macapa all information needed, including the alterations in force concerning the aids to navigation and any shallow water patches, which have been reported. When passing Macapa, vessels must contact ARENS LANGEN or MACAPA RADIO via VHF Ch 16 to receive all instructions about anchorage and boarding times for authorities visitation and pilot embarkation.

When leaving Fazendinha vessels must inform ARNS LANGEN Macapa and DOCENAVE Trombetas their ETA to Trombetas River mouth.

Before entering the Trombetas River, Masters must obtain the "Confirmation for entrance" from the Port Authority or from DOCENAVE Trombetas, via VHF Ch16, or SANTAREM RADIO or by Inmarsat.

When leaving Trombetas Port, vessels must send their ETA Fazendinha Anchorage area to ARENS LANGEN Macapa for the agent to arrange disembarkation of pilots.

Anchorages

Not permitted in Trombetas River, except in emergency. There are mooring buoys, for vessels waiting to berth, about 1.3nm and 1.8nm downstream from the berth, located at 1° 27.609'S 56° 21.557'W and 1° 27.693'S 56° 21.082'W respectively. Loaded ships under repair or waiting for the weather to improve, can anchor 0.6nm upstream of the ore berth.

Restrictions

No vessel is allowed to sail up river to Trombetas without prior permission from ARENS LANGEN.

The maximum draught for Barra Norte and the Amazon River is 11.5m fresh water at HW and 8.5m fresh water at LW.

Due to restrictions for navigation on Trombetas River bends, vessels are limited to Panamax size up to LOA 260m.

Night navigation is allowed for vessels up to LOA 245m and is done with two pilots on duty on the bridge and the engine at half speed, between Trombetas Port and Bacabal Channel, both up and down transit.

Vessels with LOA 245 to 260m can only sail during daylight hours.

The minimum UKC allowed by the Brazilian Maritime Authority is 1.2m.

It is recommended that the speed for transit does not exceed 12kts and must be reduced to:

4kts during Oriximina passage, from Buoy 8 to Lightbeacon 13;

6kts in the Estirao do Franco (Axipica Lake);

6kts in the Canal do Bacabal, from Buoy 24 to Buoy 28;

6kts in the "Brega Bend", from Buoy 50 to mooring Buoy 1; and very low speed during mooring/unmooring and turning manoeuvres.

Navigation on the Amazon and Trombetas Rivers requires constant attention. During the day the coastal region of the North Bar may be covered by fog or smoke, making visibility for the beacons difficult, at night the radio beacon may have a deviation of up to 10°.

Although the river bottom capacity for holding an anchor is good along the entire waterway, vessel Captains should pay close attention to the North Bar stretch, where mud suction of the anchor may occur.

Due to restrictions imposed by the curves on the Trombetas River, vessels are limited to Panamax size up to LOA 260m. During high water periods (Apr. - Aug.), bulk carriers with beam of 40.0m and LOA 260m may be received after consulting with MRN.

Shallow depth restrictions during high tides apply at the North Bar. During dry periods (Sept. - Dec.), there may be a reduction in the loading draught because of the river level. River level and draught are monitored by MRN and informed daily to the Santarem Port Authority.

Tugs

There are two tugboat's available (totalling 62t bollard pull and two launches to receive spotters during docking, berthing and unberthing vessel operations).

Mooring

There are two line handling boats available for berthing/unberthing manoeuvres.

Vessels may berth either port or starboard side, although portside is usual. Berthing is permitted throughout 24 hours.

The mooring system consists of eight (four pairs) bollards on pier and four mooring buoys.

It is strongly recommended that vessels do not use wire ropes for berthing.

Manoeuvres in the terminal area are not permitted with wind speed greater than 15kts or visibility below 500m.

Charts and publications

BA 4216, Admiralty Pilot NP5, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels arriving from high seas must send their ETA 72 and 48hrs prior to arrival to the Agent and MRN, for dispatch, requests for pilots and information on river signalling at the Barra Norte (North Bar) and navigational restrictions along the Amazon and Trombetas Rivers. The shipping agency will inform the necessary documents to be shown by the Captain to the Brazilian authorities.

Immigration, Customs and Sanitation inspections are done in the Fazendinha docking area, and customs inspections may also be done at the port of Trombetas. Bulk carriers older than 18 years of age may be inspected by representatives of the State Port Control to verify their state of conversion.

After "Free Circulation" from the Agent is received from the Agent, the Captain must inform the ETA at the mouth of the Trombetas River to the Agency and MRN, and must obtain authorisation to enter the river. Instructions regarding mooring or waiting buoys are sent with this authorisation.

Communications

VHF: For pilot contact "Amsanav" at Belem on Ch 16.

Terminal, Ch 16; 10, 14.

MRN (Operators), Ch 16; 12. Tel: +55 91 3549 7500. Fax: +55 91 3549 1482.

DOCENAVE (Agents), Ch 16; 12.

Customs and immigration

Contraband: Brazilian laws are very strict with respect to smuggling and Masters are requested to instruct their crews not to take more than 2 packets of cigarettes and other articles ashore. Cigarettes in cartons, tobacco, alcoholic beverages, narcotics, souvenirs, explosives, firearms, etc should be collected prior to arrival in port and listed with the items in the Crew's Personal Effects List and placed in the custody of the Master.

Immigration: All a vessel's passengers and/or crew members may only enter the national territory after their documents have been inspected by the Federal Police Department, the Revenue Authorities and the Port Health Authorities.

Vessels owners are responsible for the disembarkation and the embarkation of transit passengers as well as crew members who fail to join a vessel before it sails. Such responsibility includes the maintenance and other expenses until repatriation. In the event of non existence of a compulsory deposit as guarantee to cover such expenses, owners will sign, at the Federal Police Department, a form of responsibility inherent to such obligations as therein expressed.

Flags

All vessels, while in Brazilian ports, must fly the Brazilian national flag from 0800hrs to sunset.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Comissao Nacional de Seguranca Publica nos Portos, Terminais e Vias Navegaveis - CONPORTOS.

Contact person: Ezio Borghetti.

Position: Secretario Executivo.

Address: Esplenada dos Ministerios, Bloco T, 5 andar - Ministerio da Justica, DF, 70064-900, Brasilia, Brazil.

Tel: +55 61 429 3173.

Fax: +55 61 429 9169.

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: http://www.mj.gov.br

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

Repairs

Small emergency repairs may be carried out at the MRN workshops. Requests are made through the shipping agency.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available after consulting MRN.

Bunkering: Not available.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Hospital De Porto Trombetas (1km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Porto Trombetas Airport (3km).

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Trombetas is located on the S bank of the River Trombetas, over 540nm from the Atlantic. The River Trombetas, is a tributary of the Amazon, providing the means of access to the port via Barra Norte (North Bar).

The port

Porto Trombetas is a key river port located in Pará, Brazil, on the Trombetas River, primarily serving Mineração Rio do Norte (MRN), one of the world's largest bauxite mining operations. The port also handles bulk carriers and serves as a vital logistical link between the remote mining region and international shipping routes.

Traffic

Approx. 12,000,000t of cargo handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Trombetas?

Two pilots are compulsory from Macapa, provided by Salinopolis.

What time zone is Trombetas in?

Local time at Trombetas is UTC−3. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Trombetas?

The deepest berth listed is at Terminal Trombetas: 11.58 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Trombetas?

1000.

Which load line zone is Trombetas in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Trombetas?

The UN/LOCODE of Trombetas is BRTMT.

What crews who called at Trombetas 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.

Read and add tips for Trombetas →