Zarate

Size limits

LOA 232.39m, beam 38m, 87,340DWT.

Water density

1010.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 0.6m, however this can be as high as 3.65m due to strong winds.

River current can be 7km per hour.

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

Approach

Navigable depths in the River, off the port, change daily. Vessels may have to hang off berths for deeper water.

Anchorages

Auto Terminal Zarate: Roads and anchorages: Situated on the right bank of the Parana de las Palmas River at Km 111, within the same river toll charges as Buenos Aires. The quay has a natural depth of 10.67m located in a straight and wide section of the river which allows vessels to berth and cast off in safe conditions.

Restrictions

The access river is wide and deep, the draught restriction is due to the Martin Garcia Bar.

The "Zarate-Brazo Largo" spans the Panama de las Palmas, connecting the provinces of Buenos Aires and Entre Rois. The clear height of the centre span over Parans de las Palmas is 49m at CD.

Tugs

Tugs are not compulsory, however the pilot may request 1 tug to swing vessels proceeding downriver, depending on LOA of vessel and weather conditions. The tug is stationed at Campana.

Charts and publications

BA 1324,1749. 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.

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.

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 0700-1300hrs, 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.

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

Available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Zonal Hospital Virgen del Carmen (4km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Ezeiza International Airport (93km).

Working hours

Mon to Fri 0600-1200hrs and 1200-1800hrs, Sat 0600-1200hrs, other periods are worked as overtime.

Terminal Las Palmas and Vitco: Mon to Fri 0700hrs to 1900hrs. Sat 0700hrs to 1300hrs. Shifts of 6hrs each. Other periods worked as overtime.

Where it is

Zarate is located 240km upstream from Buenos Aires, on the River Parana, 5 miles above Port of Campana.

The port

Zarate Port, located along the Parana River in Argentina, is a key logistics hub handling a variety of cargo, including containers, grain, liquid bulk and automobiles. The port supports agricultural exports, such as grains and soy. With strong road and rail links, the port has undergone modernization to increase its capacity, playing a vital role in Argentina’s trade and economic development.

What are the pilot arrangements at Zarate?

Compulsory for vessels.

What time zone is Zarate in?

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

What is the water density at Zarate?

1010.

Which load line zone is Zarate in?

Summer.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Zarate?

The UN/LOCODE of Zarate is ARZAE.

What crews who called at Zarate 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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