Province of Buenos Aires
At the mouths of Quequen River, Quequen on the east side and Necochea on the west Lat 38°35’5 S Long 58°42’0 W
Charts Arg H-200, 252, 253
BA Charts 531, 556, 3065
US 23141, 23131, 23030
The cities of Quequen and Necochea constitute an urban conglomerate of abt. 120.000 inhabitants divided by the Quequen Grande River. Necochea is an important tourist resort, and during the summer season the population is greatly increased. There is an intense commercial activity as the city is in the middle of one of the richest farming areas in the country. There are also important agro-industrial plants (vegetable oil and seeds by-products) and fish processing plants. Also, there is a medium-sized agriculture equipment industry.
Port general description: The port is situated at the mouth of the river Quequen, in recent years, an average of 300 ocean going vessels called.
Trade consists mainly in important quantities of maize, barley, soya beans, wheat, sunflower seed, also pellets and vegetable oil being exported elsewhere. A total of 7 million ton of grain and agri by-products are usually exported per year. Imports are almost entirely confined to the reception of bulk fertilizers, which in the last years amounted to 350.000- 400.000 tons, per year.
Anteport: There is an anteport immediately inside the breakwaters. The least width in the anteport is approximately 500 m, average depth 12,50 m (41.01 ft); anchoring is not allowed.
On entering, and weather permitting, vessels are swung in the anteport to enable them to berth bow out ready for sailing. Should this not be possible vessels berth bow in with the need to be swung on completion of loading and the possibility of delay depending on weather conditions.
Tides ranges: MHW 1,53 m – MLW 0,52 m
Port and Berth Description: The port has two protecting breakwaters, the northern breakwater measuring 572 m and the southern extended on 2006 to breakwater 1594 m, to provide greater protection from the southern swell.
The entrance between breakwaters is 220 m and the channel is dredged to average depth of 15,60 m (51 ft) in a width of 120 m. It is proposed in the near future to shorten the northern breakwater by 50 m.
Roads: Quequen/Necochea has an open roadstead delimited as follows:
North: by an imaginary line running parallel to coast. Distance 5 miles.
South: by parallel 38°46'W
West: by meridian 58°51'W
East: by meridian 58°21'W
Pilot boards about 1,5 miles SE of southern breakwater.
Anchorage: Holding ground not good. Masters are advised to anchor at least 5 miles off the port and warned that weather conditions can on occasion change rapidly. A falling barometer can indicate the approach of a cold front from the south with consequent S'ly gales. Under these circumstances, vessels are advised to weigh anchor and put to sea without delay to avoid dragging anchors and possible stranding on the beach. A considerable number of anchors have been lost in this area due to anchors having fouled on rock- like outcroppings when dragging. The PNA regularly broadcast gale warnings in Spanish.
Restrictions:
-Maximum permitted LOA to enter/leave port 230 m, basis channel width of 120 m. N.B.: Coastguard have granted a tolerance of 5% up to LOA 241,5 m on submission of special requests. Should channel width be reduced for any reason then maximum permitted LOA is decreased by 10 m for every 5 m reduction.
-Whilst there is no maximum stipulated draft at Port, the recommended maximum is 13,50 m (44,3 ft) and this is the maximum recorded draft BY PILOTS to date.
-When the wave height exceeds 1,80 m (5,3 ft) the port is restricted (closed) by Coastguard preventing ships from entering or leaving, but not stopping operations (loading/discharging) in Terminals.
-Ships entering/leaving must do so with a visibility of not less than two nautical miles.
-For vessels entering/leaving trimmed by the stern, the unsighted distance forward of the bow shall not exceed 400 m.
-Wind velocity when entering/leaving shall not exceed 39 km/h (21 knots).
-Crossing is not permitted in the access channel, nor are maneuvers inside the port when another vessel is entering/departing.
-Vessels are normally required to berth bow out, however they are permitted to berth bow in if conditions do not permit vessels to be swung or if special cargo conditions so require.
-Masters are warned that a high tension electrical cable is strung above the river between berths 6 and 8. Height is 40 m (131 ft) at datum.
-Local regulation stipulates that loading beyond the vessel's summer draft mark is not allowed. despite the FWA being an internationally recognized regulation; it is not applicable at the Quequen port. Theorefore, based on the current regulations, if a vessel exceeds its summer draft mark, it will be considered overloaded by the local Authority (Prefectura) and will not be authorized to depart.-
Local communications: Radio communications 24 hours a day via Argentina Radio. Quequen Prefectura Naval Radio, L5B and VHF Ch# 12 16. Also VHF for Pilots and launches, but the vast majority of communications, even via VHF, go through the agents.
Water density: Brackish water, depending on tide and rate of river flow.
Varies at different berths and convenient to check prior completion loading.
Usually between 1018/1020 for low and high tides respectively.
Berth assignment: Agents should notify Consorcio de Gestión del Puerto de Quequen (Port Administration) harbor master and grain elevator / shippers at least two working days beforehand of vessel's ETA with confirmation holds ready. It should be noted that vessels loading vegetable oil have priority at berth 1 and any other vessel requesting this berth, in theory, must be prepared to accept vegetable oil loaders second off if need be. Regulations state combined beams both vessels plus fenders must not exceed 50 m.
However, usual practice dictates that the vessel on the berth is requested to work a minimum of 18 hours per day to ensure prompt termination and freeing of the berth.
Pilots: Compulsory. Since privatization of pilot services in 1992, pilots offer their services individually or in association with others. Pilots board about 2 miles SE of southern breakwater head.
Free pratique: granted only alongside, not at anchor For safety reasons, since it is an open-sea anchorage.
Tugs: Use of two tugs for entrance and departure is compulsory, with the following exceptions:
1) Vessels up to LOA 80 m – no tugs required.
2) Vessels of LOA over 80 m up to 100 m – one tug required.
3) Vessels of LOA up to 140 m berthed bow out can sail with one tug except from berths 7, 8, 9 and 10. (With special coastguard permission).
4) Vessels of LOA up to 160 m with bow thruster of adequate HP and immersion can enter/sail with one tug except to/from berths 7, 8, 9 and 10. (With special coastguard permission). A tolerance of 5% on the above figures is normally granted by PNA. Two towing companies operate with two tugs each, all of about 3500 HP.
Nbr. 3215 – 62 Street – ZC 7630 | Necochea / Buenos Aires / Argentina
Phone: +54 9 2262 431200 / 421842
brisamar@brisamar.com.ar / administracion@brisamar.com.ar