Port Freeport (USFPO)

Freeport Harbor is locally known as Brazosport. The main export cargoes at Freeport are crude oil, petroleum gas, chemicals, plastics, halogenated compounds, phenols and polyethers. Principal import cargoes include motor vehicles, gasoline, ammonia, machinery and equipment. Fruits and bagged rice are also handled at the port. Freeport LNG Quintana Regas Terminal handles the discharge of LNG from vessels to the regasification plant ashore. The LNG is then piped as vapour into the national gas grid. (Reportedly, due to substantial changes in global markets, facilities at this Terminal may be subject to "re-purpose").

Summer.

Port Freeport, Texas, is situated on the Gulf of Mexico, close SE of the town, 3.5nm from the open sea, near the mouth of the Old Brazos River. Two straight breakwaters, each over 1Km long, stretch out in a South Easterly direction from the shoreline, giving shelter to vessels entering from Gulf waters. The Intracoastal Waterway crosses Old Brazos River approx 1nm above the jettied entrance.

LOA 345m, beam 55.0m, 164,608DWT, draught 12.8m.

Approx. 39,000,000t of cargo, 117,000TEUs and over 1,300 vessels handled annually.

There are designated anchorage areas. It is reported that the limits of Outer Fairway anchorages are charted in the following positions: North East: 28°50'N 095°07'W. In general depths of 15.0-20.0m. South West: 28°49'N 095°15'W. In general depths of 12.0-20.0m, clear of production platforms. The NE anchorage is preferred due to the set of the prevailing current on to the platforms in the SW anchorage.

Entry is made from the SE, towards the breakwaters, via a buoyed channel (each red and green buoy is lit). The Fairway starts approx 4.7nm out at the Freeport Entrance Lighted Buoy FP [MO(A) W.8s]. Federal project depths for approach and harbour channels are: ..... Channel Depth (m) Freeport Entrance 14.3 Breakwaters to Upper Turning Basin 13.7 Brazos Harbor Approach 11.0 Brazos Turning Basin 11.0 Upper Turning Basin 7.6 Stauffer Turning Basin 7.6 The chart and Port Authority should be consulted for the latest controlling depths. Following severe weather conditions, depths are likely to change.

BA 3849, 3850, 3854. Admiralty Pilot NP69A, NP286(5). US Charts 11321, 11322. US Coast Pilot 5 (Gulf of Mexico, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands).

Freeport Coast Guard Station (28°56.5'N 095°18.2'W), on the NE side of the harbour entrance, has search and rescue facilities and may provide lookout, communication and/or patrol facilities to assist vessels in distress.

1020.

There are strong currents in the area which may make mooring difficult for larger vessels. Freeport Mooring & Marine Services, Tel: +1 979 233 5605. Southern Mooring Service, Tel: +1 979 233 3716.

Pilotage is compulsory for all foreign vessels and US vessels with foreign cargoes. Freeport is served by Brazos Pilots Association (see Communications Section). Pilot should be ordered at least two hours before arrival (available 24hrs); no less than one hour before departure and at least two hours in advance of all Pilot shifts. Pilot boarding station is located 0.8nm SE of of the Freeport Entrance Lighted Buoy at 28°52.5'N 95°14.2'W. Pilot boat monitors VHF Ch14. The Pilot Boat has an LOA of 18.2m. The word "PILOT" is printed in large black letters on the side of the vessel. Vessels are requested to contact the Pilot Boat one hour prior to arrival on Ch14 for Pilot ladder instructions.

Racons: Platform (28°47.0'N 095°04.0'W) and Freeport Light Buoy (28°52.6'N 095° 14.2'W).

Shoaling areas are located approx 6nm SW of the main entrance to Freeport, extending 5nm into the Gulf off the mouth of the river. The area is foul and should be avoided. Reportedly, vessels have been stranded in this area as depths are considerably less than charted, following silting from the River. The following restrictions apply to Old Brazos River: A power transmission line (approx 1nm above the upper turning basin) has a vertical clearance of 19.2m. A tide gate with clearances horizontally of 23m, vertically 18m and a depth of 5.0m over the sill. A fixed road bridge (0.3nm above the power line) with vertical clearance of 18.3m. Daylight Restrictions - Inbound Vessels: 1. Greater than LOA 228.6m. 2. Greater than 32.6m beam. 3. Greater than 11.12m draught and greater than LOA 213.3m. 4. Dow A-14 - greater than LOA 182.8m or 30.4m beam. 5. Dow A-13. 6. LNG vessels. 7. BASF. Daylight Restrictions - Outbound Vessels: 1. Greater than LOA 228.6m, 38.1m beam and draught 10.97m. 2. Dow A-14 - greater than LOA 182.8m or 30.4m beam. 3. Dow A-13. 4. Sailing from berths above Phillips 66 and Port Freeport Docks - greater than LOA 228.6m. 5. LNG vessels. 6. BASF. Vessels judged unsafe for handling after dark will be limited to daylight hours only. Night operations will be suspended during times when weather conditions do not permit safe navigation.

Range less than 1.0m. Freeport LNG (FLNG) Berth - tide ranges from 1.3 - 1.8m.

Tugs up to 4,200hp are available at Freeport. Tugs Required for Inbound Vessels: 1. All Docks - two house tugs or thrusters 2. Dow Berth A-14 - vessels with LOA greater than 190.5m will require both tugs and an additional twin screw flanking rudder tug with minimum of 3,900hp. 3. Dow Berth A-14 - vessels with a beam greater than 38.1m will require both house tugs and two additional twin screw flanking rudder tugs with a minimum of 3,900hp. Tugs Required for Outbound Vessels: 1. Dow Berth A-14 - vessels with LOA greater than 213.36m and beam greater than 38.1m will require both house tugs and an additional twin screw flanking rudder tug with a minimum of 3,900hp. 2. Dow Berth A-8 - vessels with LOA greater than 121.92m should have thrusters or tugs on the bow and on the stern due to strong currents. Brazos Pilots recommend that all inbound vessels use a combination of tugs and thrusters so as to keep lateral control of the ship on the bow and on the stern. Most inbound vessels LOA 121.92m or greater should use two tugs, one tug and a thruster, or two thrusters.

Prevailing winds: Variable. Large vessel navigation is affected by strong cross winds and currents at the breakwater entrance and at the junction with the Intra-coastal Waterway, when strong currents are setting down the Waterway. Currents: There is usually a W-going current off the entrance, and a counter current largely influenced by the wind, near the beach.

FREEPORT, TEXAS 28°56.18'N 95°17.80'W UNCTAD LOCODE: US FPO ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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Vessels should contact the PV 1h before arrival, on VHF Ch 14, for Pilot ladder instructions.", "what_to_report": [], "pilot_boarding_positions": [ { "designator": null, "coordinates_or_verbose": "28°52.17'N 95°12.77'W", "vessel_particular_constraints": null } ], "leftover_text_notes": [ "NOTE: Pilotage is provided by the Brazos Pilots Association." ] } } ] }, "widget_2_vts": { "cross_reference_redirect": null, "area_groups": [ { "area_name": null, "vts_boundaries": { "description": null, "coordinates": [] }, "contact_details": [ { "station_call_name": "Port Authority", "vhf_primary_watch": "16;10 14", "vhf_secondary_working": null, "telephones": [], "faxes": [], "emails": [], "websites": [], "operating_hours": null } ], "procedure": { "compulsory_text_note": "Mandatory for all vessels over 300 gt", "general_rules": [] }, "reporting_lines_and_points": [], "reporting_requirements": [ { "report_name": "Notice of ETA", "when_or_where_to_report": "On departure from the loading port", "how_to_report": null, "what_to_report": [ "Date and time of completion of loading", "Volume (in cubic metres) of LNG loaded", "ETA", "Any operational deficiencies in the vessel" ] }, { "report_name": "Second Notice", "when_or_where_to_report": "96h prior to arrival", "how_to_report": null, "what_to_report": [ "Should ETA change by more than 6h, the Master shall promptly advise the corrected ETA" ] }, { "report_name": "Third Notice", "when_or_where_to_report": "24h prior to arrival", "how_to_report": null, "what_to_report": [ "Should ETA change by more than 3h, the Master shall promptly advise the corrected ETA" ] }, { "report_name": "Fourth Notice", "when_or_where_to_report": "12h prior to arrival", "how_to_report": null, "what_to_report": [ "Should ETA change by more than 1h, the Master shall promptly advise the corrected ETA" ] } ] } ] }, "widget_3_tugs": { "contact_details": [ { "provider_name": null, "vhf_channels": [ "Ch 14" ], "telephones": [ "+1 979 2331120" ], "emails": [ "office@brazospilots.com" ] } ], "availability_hours": "H24", "notes": [ "Tugs VHF Frequency: Ch 14" ] }, "widget_4_port_and_notes": { "port_and_terminal_contacts": [ { "station_call_name": "Port Authority", "vhf_primary_watch": "16;10 14", "vhf_secondary_working": null, "telephones": [], "faxes": [], "emails": [], "websites": [], "operating_hours": null }, { "station_call_name": "LNG Terminal", "vhf_primary_watch": null, "vhf_secondary_working": null, "telephones": [ "+1 979 4158700", "+1 979 4158750" ], "faxes": [ "+1 979 4158733" ], "emails": [ "flngmarineops@freeportlng.com" ], "websites": [ "www.freeportlng.com" ], "operating_hours": null } ], "standalone_general_notes": [ "LNG vessels may enter and depart Port Freeport HJ only." ] }, "formatted_text_original": "PILOTS CONTACT DETAILS: Pilots Call: Brazos Pilots VHF Frequency: Ch 14 Telephone: +1 979 2331120 Fax: +1 979 2337071 E-mail: office@brazospilots.com Website: www.brazospilots.com PROCEDURE: (1) Pilotage is compulsory for all foreign vessels and US vessels under register in foreign trade. (2) Pilot ordering: Orders for Pilots will be accepted H24 by telephone. (3) Vessels should send request for Pilots at least 2h in advance of all arrivals, 1h in advance of departures and 2h in advance of all shifts. (4) Vessels should contact the PV 1h before arrival, on VHF Ch 14, for Pilot ladder instructions. (5) Pilot boards in position 28°52.17ґN 95°12.77ґW. NOTE: Pilotage is provided by the Brazos Pilots Association. ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________ PORT CONTACT DETAILS: VHF Frequency: Ch 16; 10 14 Telephone: +1 979 2332667 Fax: +1 979 2335625 Website: www.portfreeport.com LNG Terminal Telephone: +1 979 4158700 (Administration) +1 979 4158750 (LNG Terminal Control Room) Fax: +1 979 4158733 E-mail: flngmarineops@freeportlng.com Website: www.freeportlng.com Tugs VHF Frequency: Ch 14 HOURS: H24 PROCEDURE: (1) Notice of ETA: Vessels bound for the LNG Terminal should advise ETA as follows: (a) First Notice: On departure from the loading port, stating: (i) Date and time of completion of loading (ii) Volume (in cubic metres) of LNG loaded (iii) ETA (iv) Any operational deficiencies in the vessel (b) Second Notice: 96h prior to arrival. Should ETA change by more than 6h, the Master shall promptly advise the corrected ETA. (c) Third Notice: 24h prior to arrival. Should ETA change by more than 3h, the Master shall promptly advise the corrected ETA. (d) Fourth Notice: 12h prior to arrival. Should ETA change by more than 1h, the Master shall promptly advise the corrected ETA. (2) LNG vessels may enter and depart Port Freeport HJ only. ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________" }

..... Port (24hrs): VHF: Ch 16, 10 and 14. Tel: +1 979 233 2667. Fax: +1 979 973 0023. Website: www.portfreeport.com Brazos Pilots' Association: VHF: Ch 14. 16. (Pilot Boats 0800hrs to 1700hrs). Call: "Brazos Pilots". Tel: +1 409 233 1120 (24 hrs). Fax: +1 409 233 7071. Email: office@brazospilots.com Website: www.brazospilots.com Port Freeport Security: Tel: 979 233 3565 (24 hrs). LNG Terminal (24 hrs): Tel: +1 979 415 8700 (Administration) Tel: +1 979 415 8750 (Control Room) Fax: +1 979 415 8733. Email: flngmarineops@freeporting.com Website: www.freeporting.com Tugs: VHF: Ch 14.

For crew not to be detained onboard each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.

Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.

Vessels bound for the LNG Terminal should advise ETA as follows: ..... FIRST NOTICE (on departure from Loading Port) stating: 1. Date and time of completion of loading. 2. Volume (in cubic metres) of LNG loaded. 3. ETA 4. Any operational deficiencies in the vessel. ..... SECOND NOTICE (96hrs prior to arrival). Should ETA change by more than 6 hours, the Master should promptly advise the corrected ETA. The Second Notice should state: 1. ETA. 2. Average cargo temperature in the vessel's cargo tanks. 3. Cargo tank vapour space pressure (in millibars) in each of the vessel's cargo tanks. ..... THIRD NOTICE (48hrs prior to arrival). This Notice should state: 1. ETA. 2. Average cargo temperature in the vessel's cargo tanks. 3. Cargo tank vapour space pressure (in millibars) in each of the vessel's cargo tanks. ..... FOURTH NOTICE: 24hrs prior to arrival. Should ETA change by more than 3 hrs, the Master should promptly advise the corrected ETA. This Notice should state: 1. ETA. 2. Average cargo temperature in the vessel's cargo tanks. 3. Cargo tank vapour space pressure (in millibars) in each of the vessel's cargo tanks. 4. Confirmation that the vessel's deck cargo lines will be cooled and drained back to the cargo tanks, before, but as close as possible to, the time at which the Pilot will board the vessel. ..... FIFTH NOTICE: 12hrs prior to the ETA set out in the Fourth Notice (as corrected) confirming or amending such ETA. Should ETA change by more than 1 hour, the Master of the Vessel shall promptly advise the corrected ETA. LNG Vessels may enter and depart Port Freeport in daylight hours only. Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.

Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information. Speed: Should be restricted to 7kts in the channels and 4.5kts when passing wharves or moored vessels.

No action initiated unless there is illness onboard. Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information. Health officials usually inspect vessels at their berths.