The shipping platform

Location: Port Rhoades is located in Discovery Bay, St Ann on the N coast of Jamaica. 140 Nautical Miles from Kingston Lat 18º 29’ N Long 77º 25 W General overview: The port handles shipments of alumina and bauxite for the Kaiser Jamaica Bauxite Company. Traffic figures: Approx 4,210,000t of cargo handled annually. Load line zone: North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31. Water Density: 1025 Fresh water Available alongside: Yes Bunkers alongside: Occasionally/Special arrangement Hours work: 24 The Terminal is ISPS Certified and operates at Level 1 The Caribbean Maritime Authority was recently established to track all Vessels and crews entering and leaving our ports. Captains of Vessel calling Port Rhoades are therefore required to submit relevant information to them. In order to facilitate compliance the port Agent will make the first submission on the Vessel’s behalf, during its first voyage. The Captain must email a copy of the “Ship’s Particulars” and Crew List at least four days prior to arrival to Port Agent who will make submission on Vessel’s behalf. Tanker facilities: Two fuel lines (MFO), hose 8 in. (pipeline 12 in.) Diameter. Back pressure 10.3 Bar. Tankers use same berth as bauxite vessels. It maybe necessary at times for tankers to wait on bauxite vessel loading, or arriving, and bauxite vessels may have to vacate the berth to make way for tanker which may have absolute priority due to cost attached. Stevedores: All arrangements are made by Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Ltd for loading/unloading of vessels. Pilots: Pilots will board about 1.5 to 2 miles NE of the entrance. Some Pilots do not like docking vessel at nights and some delays may be encountered. If awaiting berth drifting 8-12 n.m. off to the NNE seem to be most satisfactory. There is about a 0.5 knot west drift depending on weather conditions. Vessels: Vessel having a 28.4 m beam can be loaded without much difficulty but care must be taken so as not to develop a starboard list that will be very difficult to correct.