CIRCULAR 012/2018: DRAFT RESTRICTIONS AT SAN NICOLAS PORT

Please be advised that there has been a recent change in draft restrictions for the access channel to San Nicolas New Port / Fiscal berths to 8.2m (subject to daily height of the river.)

Reportedly, various Pilots would have been complaining that vessels were touching bottom when entering to the New Port of San Nicolas. Therefore, the Port Administration carried out a sounding survey which showed the following results:

Place:                                             Access channel to Port of San Nicolas

Place of restriction:                         Km 1,050 -1,150 

Depth at Cero level:       

          In channel’s width 150M:               6.80M

          In channel’s width 100M:               6.90M

Source: bathymetric chart issued on 06/07/2018

The cause of the depth reduction seems to be a shoal formation due to sedimentation between the islands abeam the Port and port, which should be resolved by dredging.

The shoal was found at the entrance of Puerto Nuevo affecting fiscal berths mainly used for discharge of fertilisers, Central Termica for discharge of coal or liquid cargoes and Elevator berth for grains loading. 

The reduction of the depth at Cero is more noticeable nowadays due to the drastic reduction of the river level, i.e. below 2 meters.

In order to avoid incidents when entering/departing Central Terminal AES, Grain Elevators (ex JNG) and Puerto Nuevo at San Nicolas port, the Coast Guards indicated that vessel’s draft should never exceed the result of the following equation: minimum depth of 6.90 meters, minus the safety margin of 0.60 cm., plus the local port water height on the day of the date of vessel’s arrival/departure.

For all of the aforementioned, some vessels have changed discharge ports’ rotation calling first San Lorenzo and/or Rosario and last San Nicolas.

Please note that the abovementioned shoal does not affect vessels berthing at Siderar Factory berths, nor the navigation on the main channel, as per max permissible draft which is under the management of concessionary Hidrovia S.A.

We suggest to your Members and their Masters to discuss draft restrictions with their agents when calling San Nicolas port.

We remain at your disposal if further information is needed.

Yours Faithfully,

PANDI LIQUIDADORES SRL

Notice: the content of this circular is for information only. Even though it has been issued carefully, and to the best of our knowledge, it has a general purpose and we can accept no liability whatsoever for any particular action taken upon it. © Pandi Liquidadores SRL 2018. All rights reserved.