Minatitlan (MXMTT)

The town has an oil refinery with 3 berths owned and operated by Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX). Note: It is reported that the refinery is closed to tanker traffic due the lift bridge being non operational.

Summer.

Minatitlan is located approx 40km up river from Coatzacoalcos in the Southern Gulf of Mexico. The port is located on the N bank of the river.

Length 145m, draught 6.4m. Currently only usable by tugs and barges, max draught 3.6m.

Approx 30 vessels visit the port annually.

Anchoring is prohibited at Minatitlan due to the narrow width of the river.

The access channel has a width of 70m.

BA 373, 1225. Admiralty Pilot NP69A.

1025.

Compulsory. Vessels should embark a pilot not later than 0800hrs.

Depth on bar and in channel is 4.8m at LW. Vessels require a special permit from Customs at Coatzacoalcos before proceeding up river for loading or discharging. Max vertical clearance for vessels is 29.9m due to the height of the lift bridge at Coatzacoalcos (See note in Overview).

Range 0.61m.

Compulsory. A tug accompanies each vessel during the river passage.

Prevailing winds: SW'ly.

The following coastal radio stations are recommended: West coast Mexico: International station and Mobile Radio (USA). East coast Mexico: Mobile, Alabama Radio. The stations work throughout 24 hours. Inmarsat communication is possible. VHF: Ch 16 is used to contact the port on arrival.

Allowances for officers and crew do not exist for personal possessions which must be kept onboard. Penalties for non-compliance will result in confiscation of the goods and fines. Immigration: Formalities depend on the nationality of the crew. Nationalities that are not restricted in Mexico can proceed ashore provided they have a shore pass which can be issued by the port agent upon request of the Master. Joining and off signing crew members have to be declared 24 hours prior to the time and date of arrival/departure. Vessel is cleared on arrival and departure.

..... On arrival, the Master has to present the following documentation with 4 copies of each: Document 1. Last Port Clearance 2. Crew List 3. Crew Personal Effects List 4. Stores List 5. International Maritime Declaration of Health 6. Vaccination List 7. Ports of Call List 8. List of Ship's Particulars 9. Cargo Manifest, if any 10. Passenger List 11. Ballast Declaration The following are also required: 1. International Tonnage Certificate 2. Load Line Certificate 3. Ship's Register 4. Safety Equipment and Emergency Radio Equipment Certificates Documents are received by the Harbour Master, Health Inspector, Immigration Authorities, Customs Authorities, Agricultural Inspector. There are no special forms for completion.

All ETA's have to be sent 72 hours prior to arrival of the vessel at the port. Additional ETA's have to be sent each 24 hours and 12 hours prior to arrival of the vessel. All messages should be sent during office hours so that the vessel can be scheduled at the Port Programme Meeting which is held daily. The ETA message should include: ..... 1. Arrival draught 2. Number of crew and if healthy 3. Vessel's main particulars such as LOA, GT, beam 4. Flag and Port of Registry 5. Cargo to be loaded/discharged

Cargo documents have to be in the port in order for the vessel to be programmed.

Pratique will be granted by the Port Authorities once they arrive onboard the vessel. Free pratique is not granted by radio. Vessels arriving from South America have to be fumigated. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate (SSCC) can be renewed.

Tendered in accordance with the Charter Party.