Kuito FPSO (AOSVP)

The port is currently closed for commercial operations. Information for the port is retained should the port reopen. FPSO "Kuito" has been broken up.

Tropical.

Approximately 40nm off the coast of Cabinda enclave, Angola.

320,000DWT, no draught limitations. Largest vessel handled: LOA 350m, 325,000DWT, draught 26.0m.

There are no anchorage facilities available due to the depth of water in the area. The waiting area for Kuito tankers is located within a 3nm radius of position 05°34'S 011°22'E.

From a position SW of Pointe Tchitembo (04°12.0'S 011°23.0'E), the track leads S, passing (with positions relative to Pointe Tchitembo): Between Loango Oilfield and Yombo Terminal (18 and 24nm respectively SW). The track continues S, passing (with positions relative to Pointe Noire (04° 47.0'S 011°49.0'E): W of Yanga Oilfield (25nm W) then: W of Sendji Oilfield (22nm W), then: Clear of Kitina Oilfield (27.5nm WSW), then: Clear of N'Kossa waiting area (28.5nm SW), then: W of N'Kossa Oilfield (31.5nm SW), then: W of Nemba Oilfield (38nm SSW). Then the track leads to a position W of Kuito Oilfield (44nm SSW).

Admiralty Pilot NP2, NP286(8).

1025.

Mooring/Unmooring Operations at the Kuito SPM: ..... 1. Mooring operation will normally be undertaken during daylight hours (0600-1800hrs) under normal weather conditions and the CABGOC Mooring Master's agreement. Unmooring operations will usually be undertaken at any time. 2. Before arrival at the boarding area, it will be necessary to ensure that the following minimum moorings are ready for use on the forecastle of the export vessel on arrival at the SBM Berth: Two (2) messenger ropes, 182m long and minimum 4in circumference, preferably floating and stowed on drums and in line with the chain stoppers, and two mooring ropes and a strong messenger at aft station. 3. When the vessel is within reasonable distance of the buoy, the two ship's lines will be picked up by the mooring launch and made fast to the floating SPM pickup lines. The ship's lines, used as messengers will than be used to heave the pickup lines onboard the export vessel. As the pick up lines come clear of the water, they will be followed by the chafing chains that are attached to them. These chafing chains, 3in size, must then be secured to the chain stoppers in such a manner that the two nylon hawsers are outside and clear of the ship's fairleads. The chains will then absorb any chafing in the mooring system. The buoy mooring hawsers are each 67m long and 18in circumference. 4. Power is required to be available at all times on all deck winches and windlass while the export vessel is in the berth. 5. Two mooring lines shall be available aft, secured to the bitts and of sufficient length to enable a tug to pick up the eyes and tow on it to realign the vessel if necessary. Buoyant lines are requested. However it is normal practice to use the tug towing line and a strong messenger must be ready to pick it up and to secure it on the export tanker aft bitts. Hose Handling: After the vessel has been securely moored, 2 x 16in floating hoses will be connected to the export vessel's port side manifold. The floating cargo hoses are fitted with camlock type coupling to fit 150 ASA for 16in flanges. A hose gang will remain onboard to attend to all hose operations, but the export vessel's crew shall provide assistance as and when necessary on the advice of the CABGOC Mooring Master. At such times an export vessel's deck officer shall be in attendance. The export vessel will be required to have ready a hose handling derrick or crane at the port manifold with a SWL of not less than 15t for the lifting and connection of the hoses. Where possible, it is requested that the derrick runner is on one winch and the topping lift on another as this will make the hose handling and launch operation much smoother and faster. The export vessel's crew will be responsible for handling the hoses and required to operate winch or winches. Special equipment such as, quick release fitting, etc, will be supplied from the line boat when the CABGOC Mooring Master boards. To avoid undue delays, a rope messenger shall be ready for use at the boarding position. Before hose handling operations begin, manifold oil containment facilities shall be ready for use and adequate quantities of absorbents available for rapid deployment in the event of spillage.

Compulsory. Pilot boards vessel about 2.75nm NW of the SPM, in position 05° 26.0'S 011°28.5'E. When instructed the export tanker will leave the Kuito tankers waiting area and shall proceed to the pilot boarding area where the CABGOC Mooring Master will board the vessel. All manoeuvring of vessels within the Kuito Terminal berthing areas is to be done only in accordance with the advice of the CABGOC Mooring Master, subject to the understanding that in all cases and circumstances that Master of the vessel being manoeuvred shall remain solely responsible on behalf of his vessel and the vessel's owners for the safety and proper manoeuvring of the vessel. CABGOC Mooring Master will remain onboard throughout the export vessel stay on the berth to co-ordinate transfer operations; therefore suitable and officer standard accommodation shall be provided for him onboard the export vessel.

The SPM buoy (05°27.9'S 011°30.3'E) is fitted with a navigation light flashing Mo "U" every 15 seconds with a range of 10nm and a fog horn sounding Mo "U" every 30 seconds.

Berthing between 0600-1800hrs, unberthing at any time. Controlling depths: There are depths in excess of 182m in the area. Drilling rig activities are continuously conducted in the vicinity of the FPSO. Drilling rig vessels are spread moored and well lit. When approaching the terminal mariners shall consult with the current Notice to Mariners.

Available.

The rainy season begins in the Oct-Apr. During this season and particularly between Dec-Apr, local thunderstorms can be experienced by heavy rain for periods of 3-4 hours. Sudden squalls with wind gusts of 75kts can be experienced. Waves of 3.0-4.5m can be expected during these periods. Wind speeds are generally not significant (less than 20kts); strongest winds can be expected from the SW quadrant. During the dry season, generally May-Sep, a SW'ly swell affects the area, the long swell sometimes exceeds 3.0-4.5m in height. The prevailing current sets NW to NNW and at times exceeds 3kts. Current in the Kuito/Cabinda area is affected by Congo River tidal flow, as well as heavy rain over the surrounding land area. Particularly during the dry season, currents setting to the SSW can be experienced.

There is a port radio station. VHF: Malongo Terminal: Ch 16, 12, terminal and pilots available throughout 24 hours. Kuito FPSO: Ch 06, 69, callsign "Kuito Control", available throughout 24 hours.

Masters will be given the CABGOC Berthing and Loading Documents by the CABGOC Mooring Masters prior to commencement of berthing operations. These include Conditions of Entry and appropriate Safety Check Lists which require a signed acceptance by the Master before berthing can commence. On completion of berthing and prior to the commencement of cargo transfer, the Kuito Safety Check List will be completed following a joint inspection by the CABGOC Mooring Masters and responsible Officer. The CABGOC Safety Check List is based on the recommendations of the latest edition of the International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals (ISGOTT).

ETA should be advised 72, 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival, to vessel's agent in Cabinda who will pass the information to Cabinda Gulf Oil Company (CABGOC) at Malongo. Export vessels fitted with INMARSAT system are requested, in addition, to send ETA messages to Cabinda Gulf Oil Company (CABGOC) telex 470074 Chev UI or 278755 Chev UR (both through USA) with heading 'RELAY TO MALONGO, ANGOLA'. Alternatively send by email to the CABGOC Production Area Superintendent Marine Operation at AMRMR@chevrontexaco.com. Production Area Marine Operation Superintendent phone number through the US is Tel: +1 925 842 1111 and ask for Malongo ext 2775. Vessels are requested to contact the Vabgoc Malongo PFSO (Port Facility Security Officer) 5 days before arrival for exchange of security information. The PFSO email address is asecur7@chevrontexaco.com and apatrol2@chevrontexaco.com. Vessels not fitted with email shall telex to 470074 Chev UI or 278755 Chev UR, both in the USA, with heading "Reply to Asecur7 and Apatrol2 at Malongo". ETA message should include the following information: ..... 1. Name of vessel 2. ETA in GMT (Angola time is GMT+1 hour) 3. Name of Master 4. Estimated arrival draught, fore and aft, and displacement 5. Time for discharging clean ballast, if any, also quantity of segregated ballast onboard 6. If vessel proceeding to any port(s) prior to Kuito, and if so, any delays anticipated. 7. Quantity of cargo required and any special requirements 8. Vessel's Inmarsat Phone & Fax numbers 9. Any defects in the vessel or equipment affecting manoeuvrability, cargo handling or performance

The national flag of the Republic of Angola should be permanently displayed by vessels at the terminal day and night.

Main engines must be kept on standby throughout stay. Under no circumstances are engine repairs or the immobilisation of main engines permitted within the limits of the terminal. Vessels loading at the terminal must comply with the latest SOLAS, STCW, MARPOL ISPS Conventions and protocols and Kuito Terminal Regulations. Vessels which are found to be seriously deficient in any way will be refused permission to berth or load. All vessels are warned to approach the terminal with extreme caution as drilling and survey works are proceeding on a continuous basis. Arrival at Pilot Boarding Area: A Berthing Information telex will be sent to the export tanker as soon as a loading nomination for that tanker has been received. Telex provides general information and requirements for Kuito operations including the scheduled date and time for berthing. When within VHF communication range all communications will be with the Malongo Terminal and/or the Malongo Pilots. Export tankers must not leave the Kuito Tankers Waiting Area unless instructed so by the Malongo Pilots by VHF or INMARSAT telephone. The waiting area for Kuito Tankers is located in position 05°34'S 011°22'E within a radius of 3nm. Inert Gas System: All crude tankers scheduled to load at Kuito Terminal are required to have the IGS plant fully operative and the tanks inerted throughout the loading. The oxygen content of all cargo tanks should be maintained below 8% by volume. The Cabgoc Mooring Master will perform a random check in tanks upon boarding. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in the vessel being delayed or rejected. Should the IGS break down during loading, all cargo operations will be stopped and the vessel may be ordered to vacate the berth.

The Notice of Readiness will be accepted between 0600-1800hrs provided that the CABGOC representative is satisfied that the export vessel is apparently in all respect ready to moor and load. NOR will not be accepted during a period when berthing is suspended on account of adverse weather, or when an export vessel arrives prior to the date upon which it is nominated to load.