Puerto Cortes (HNPCR)

Puerto Cortes, the principal port of Honduras, is equipped with a wide range of facilities for handling vessels including: container, PCC, tankers and bulk carriers. The port, spread along the coast of Puerto Cortes, is one of the most important on the Atlantic side of Central America and houses an oil refinery, offshore facility and Free Trade Zone. Bulk facilities available at the port include the handling off aggregates, coal, iron ore, petcoke, grain whilst liquid cargo facilities include fuel oil, chemicals and molasses. The harbour has natural protection from three sides with an opening to the W and no swell problems most of the time.

North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.

Puerto Cortes is located close E of Punta Caballos in the NE of Bahia de Cortes, Gulf of Honduras.

Harbour: Max LOA 478m, beam 59.0m, draught 14.0m and 80,274DWT. Offshore: Max LOA 230m, BCM 114.42M, draught 11.60m and 55,131DWT.

Approx 15,000,000t of cargo, 800,000TEU and 1,600 vessels are handled annually.

There is good anchorage off the town, in depths 11.0-16.5m, mud and sand. Port regulations require that all vessels anchor at least 0.5nm from the wharves to assure manoeuvring room for vessels docking and undocking.

The channel should be approached from the NNE, passing close W of Punta Caballos. An alternative route from the W requires pilotage from a position N of Punta de Omoa. The channel is approx 1,200m in length and 400m in width, min depth 13.5m MLW. The entrance is marked by a green buoy (No 1) portside and red buoy (No 2) on starboard side. Vessels should pass approx 100m clear of red buoy (No 4) on starboard side and to pass green buoy (No 3) on port side, off Berth No 1 (Texaco). Caution: There is 1.5kts current setting from W to E in channel entry.

BA 2988, HO 28150 and 18163. Admiralty Pilot NP69A, NP286(7).

The coastguard pier is at the head of the bay.

1028-1030.

No special requirements, generally 2 mooring gangs. All vessels are always subject to shifting to anchorage in order to make space for vessels with preference (fruit and container vessels).

Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 300GT for all berthing, shifting berth and sailing. Vessels should send ETA 72, 48, 12 and 6 hours in advance. Pilot boards in the following positions: ..... Lat Long A. 15°50.1'N 87°57.8'W B. 15°52.0'N 87°58.0'W LPG Terminal 15°49.0'N 88°02.9'W

Vessels are considered arrived once entered in the bay of Puerto Cortes.

..... Navigational Aid Lat Long Punta Caballos Light 15°51.0'N 087°57.7'W Additional conspicuous landmarks include a radio mast on Punta Caballos, the towers of the oil refinery located approx 0.3nm E of Punta Caballos Light, Saddle Hill located approx 5nm SSE of Caballos Light and the water tank located 2.3nm SE of Punta Caballos.

Submarine lines extend seaward approz 2nm NNW from the N peninsula of Puerto Cortes.

Tidal range (Spring/Neap) 0.2m. Current within the harbour is reported to be uncertain and as a result large vessels approaching the piers are required to do so with caution. Unexpected currents and winds may be experienced. The current is often contrary to the wind. A significant E'ly current was experienced 2nm N of Punta Caballos.

Five tugs available, 2 x 1,800hp, 1 x 2,420hp, 1 x 2,720hp, 1 x 2,800hp. One tug is compulsory for berthing and unberthing vessels of 300GT and over; 2 tugs are compulsory for berthing and unberthing vessels of 10,000GT and more. If vessel is equipped with bow thruster, only 1 tug is compulsory. The use of a tug for vessels over 1,000GT is compulsory.

Prevailing winds: E'ly and NE'ly .W'ly or SW'ly winds may result in moderate to heavy seas in the anchorage. The port has an extremely wet climate with annual rainfall averaging 2,220mm. Heaviest rainfall accumulations occur from September through to February. The piers are exposed to W'ly and SW'ly which can cause berthing problems.

PUERTO CORTЙS 15°50.61'N 87°57.55'W UNCTAD LOCODE: HN PCR ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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..... Puerto Cortes contact info: Call sign "Puerto Cortes Control" VHF Ch 16 Port Authority contact info: Telephone +504 266 50192; +504 266 50612 Facsimile +504 266 50968 Email supciaco@enp.hn Pilots contact info: VHF Ch 6

Regulations require all crew changes be notified. To ensure compliance masters are required to hand over all the passports of all crew leaving the vessel. The master must ensure that all crew joining the vessel have passed through the immigration office and hold a permit from the local Labour Relations Office.

The Master should fax or email the following documents at least 72 working hours before arrival (in case of arrivals over the weekend latest by Tuesday) to the Agent: ..... 1. Import Cargo Manifest (if not in ballast; Ballast Manifest issued by agent) 2. Import Dangerous Cargo Manifest (if any dangerous cargo onboard) 3. Detailed General Cargo Packing List 4. Detailed Container List 5. Stowage Plan (if not ballast) 6. Crew List 7. Passenger List (if any passengers) 8. Full Ship's Particulars A full documentation list and distribution for Honduran ports is under Country information.

The notice of ETA is required 72 hours in advance and should include details of maximum draught, previous port, next port and security information. Confirmation of ETA should be sent 48, 12 and 6 hours in advance. ETA for stevedores should be given 72, 48, 24 12 and 6 hours before arrival to agent.

Vessels should always be ready to shift at short notice, as required by the port authority. Should maintenance or repairs, which results in immobilisation of more than 2 hours be necessary, prior approval for the same must be arranged, upon request. Tanker loading must be done with shore pumps, unloading is done with vessel's pumps. Loading and unloading of bulk and general cargoes to be done with vessel's gear and equipment; loading and unloading of containers usually with shore container cranes and vessel's cranes. The possession of drugs is forbidden, the master of any vessel on which drugs are found is liable to a long sentence as accessory to such a crime. Traffic Regulations: Vessels may enter and depart at any time, subject to prior arrangement. Clearance is available between 0600-2000hrs. Clearance at other times is subject to prior arrangement.

In the event of any suspected disease or fever onboard, same to be advised to agents prior to vessel's arrival in order to verify procedures with authorities. All crew members must have a valid Cholera Vaccination Certificate. Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates are available. Quarantine officials board vessels at the wharves. Quarantine: Officials board vessels when berthed.

A vessel is considered arrived once entered into the Bay of Puerto Cortes.