Willemstad

1. Willemstad pilot boarding place Pilot boards12°05.5′N 068°57.0′W

Size limits

LOA 362.12m, beam 48m, draught 13.71m, 160,024DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 0.6m.

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

Approach

Willemstad is approached from the SW and entered through St Anna Bay along the alignment of leading lights. The navigable portion of the entrance of the port is 263m in width, marked on either side by a lightbuoy, the min depth is 15.2m. On passing the lightbuoys sufficient headway should be maintained only to offset any adverse effect of current or wind. When approx 0.5nm past the lightbuoys the track then leads NE towards the pontoon bridge. When the bridge is open proceed through Sint Anna Baai (St Anna Bay), in mid channel, passing under Koningin Juliana Bridge and into Schottegat. Sint Anna Baai consists of a channel 1,426.7m in length, width of 130.8m and depths between 15.2-27.0m.

The inner bay of Schottegat is a 60.7ha body of water with depths ranging from 3.0-24.0m.

There are no specific directions for approaching the berths in Schottegat, but attention is drawn to the shoal water which fringes the bay, especially in its W part. The edge of the shoal water is marked by lightbuoys (white), W of the entrance to Sint Anna Baai and by light beacons E of the entrance.

Port limits

The port consists of Santa Anna Bay and an adjacent inner bay, Schottegat, a 60ha body of water.

Anchorages

There are no outer anchorages, depths in the approaches to Willemstad are too great for anchoring.

There is an anchorage area in Willemstad. In the SW part of Schottegat Bay there is a dolphin with a mooring buoy on each side available as a waiting berth subject to the Harbour Master's permission, depth 12.1m. The distance between each buoy and the dolphin is 348m.

Restrictions

SUBMARINE CABLES: Several of these land onshore at Punda, 0.25nm ESE of the entrance to Willemstad.

Tugs

Compulsory for all tankers over 3,000GT and all tankers if not gas-free.

The tugs can be engaged for rendering towage assistance both inside and outside the harbour. As a rule however, all vessels dock or undock at all wharves and enter or leave the port without tug assistance. In case of abnormal circumstances or in case the Harbour Master may require tug assistance, tugs can be requested by the Master for speeding up docking or undocking vessels.

There are approx 10 small harbour tugs available and approx 15 lighters to receive cargo or bring it alongside a vessel, varying from 60-400t capacity.

The tugs are equipped with very extensive radio communication systems including telex and radio.

The towage/salvage gear onboard consists of towage wires on separate drums, pennant wires, spare towage wires, shackles and other gear, ground tackle, submersible pumps, total capacity up to 2,000tph, 2.5in, 3in and 6in hoses, air compressors 1,000m³/hr at 3 atmospheres, transportable generators 380/440V, 84/110kW and 220V 6kW, diving equipment, patching materials, fire fighting and oil dispersant spraying equipment.

Hydraulic cranes, max boom length 12m, 6t capacity, serve both transfer materials to disabled vessels as the handling of the work boats.

Mooring

For all hot work and certain locations for cold work, a Marine Chemist Certificate will be required.

Acceptance will be subject to SM Division Manager and Harbour Master's approval.

Charts and publications

BA 783, 782, 2193. Admiralty Pilot NP7A, NP286(7).

ISPS

Curacao is now a new constituent country of the Netherlands.

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

Repairs

The Curacao Drydock Company, with more than 2,000m of repair wharves, is situated in the main harbour at Willemstad, carries out hull, engine, motor and electrical repairs. All other maintenance requirements of vessels are also attended to.

Underwater cleaning/services: Peter's Divers Company Ltd, Telex: 3363;

Tel: +599 9 690998.

Cleaning of submerged hull sections of vessels while afloat can take place while the vessel is moored in the main harbour at Willemstad and also at other locations, such as Caracas Bay, Bullen Bay and St Michiels Bay.

Cleaning of cruise ships takes place while bunkering and when the passengers are ashore.

Further underwater services are welding/cutting, photographing of the bottom condition, etc and licensed marine engineers.

Leading European and American grades of chemicals for water and fuel oil treatment are readily available. Delivery throughout 24 hours.

Cathodic Protection Services: Materiaal Metingen Caribbean

(Wilson Walton International) "Aloline" Aluminium anodes, Koningsplein,

Tel: +599 9 737 0428. Agents: "Gunclean" permanent tank cleaning equipment, Sigma coatings. Agents: Vecom Chemicals, James Walker & Co.

Tank Cleaning: Mits, Tel: +599 9 868 4251, Fax: +599 9 868 9472.

Department of Shipping and Maritime Affairs, Tel: +599 9 461 1421, Fax: +599 9 461 2964, email: [email protected].

Dry docks

For mega sized cruise vessels, a new block arrangement is used in "Antila" Dock with varied block height and on a slope of 1:200. The Company also have three repair wharves.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available

Bunkering: Available

Stores: Available

Medical

Nearest hospital: Curacao Medical Centre (3km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Curaçao International Airport (8km).

Working hours

Three shifts: From 0715-1215hrs, 1315-2000hrs and 2045-0015hrs.

Ordering of gangs is as follows: During weekdays gangs can be ordered before 1400hrs and can be cancelled at 0545hrs, the following day. The starting time during weekdays can be between 0700-2300hrs. There is only one starting time possible for Sat/Sun and Holidays namely 0700hrs. Gangs working on Sat/Sun should be ordered at the latest 1400hrs on Fri, thereafter no cancellation possible. Gangs working on holidays should be ordered on the previous working day at the latest 1400hrs, thereafter no cancellation possible. During weekdays overtime (2300-0700hrs) and on Sat/Sun/Holidays, at all times, gangs will not pass from one hatch to another.

Where it is

Willemstad Harbour is located on the S coast of Curacao. The entrance channel to this port, St. Anna Bay, is located in Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao. Cruise ships and other vessels dock at the Megapier Cruise Terminal at the bay's entrance and at various terminals situated on the Otrobanda side of the bay.

The port

Willemstad is the major port of the island and has an oil refinery and a transhipment terminal for crude and petroleum products. Cruise vessels and tourism are the most important contributors to the local economy. Dedicated facilities exist for handling cruise, container, Ro-Ro and general cargo vessels. The port operates on a 24 hour basis. A Royal Netherlands Navy Base is located in S of Schottegat.

Traffic

Approx. 900,000t of cargo, 100,000TEUs, 700,000 passengers and 1,900 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Willemstad?

The pilot boards at Willemstad pilot boarding place, 12°05.5′N 068°57.0′W.

What time zone is Willemstad in?

Local time at Willemstad is UTC−4. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Willemstad?

The deepest berth listed is at Mega Cruise Terminal: 15.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Willemstad?

1025.

Which load line zone is Willemstad in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Willemstad?

The UN/LOCODE of Willemstad is CWWIL.

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