The shipping platform

Location: The port of Buenos Aires, which forms part of the city, is situated on the south shore of the River Plate at Km 0, all distances seaward are calculated from this point. Access is by the Punta Indio channel which starts near the Recalada Lightship to the SE of Montevideo. General overview: Buenos Aires is the federal capital of Argentina and all government offices and consuls are situated in the city. The port is divided into two main commercial sections: New Port (Puerto Nuevo), entered via the North Channel and South Port (Puerto Sur) the old port area, entered through the South Channel. A third section, Darsena Norte (the North Basin), is the docking area for Argentina's Navy Ships and licenced sectors, like the Buquebus yacht Club and certain ferry lines. On entering the North Port area, New Port (Puerto Neuvo) is located to the W and the North Basin is located to the the S. New Port is divided into six dock basins (darsenas). The General Ports Administration (AGP) leases these dock areas out as concessions to several major private operators for periods ranging from 18 to 25 years. A new passenger terminal has been built here to accommodate an increasing number of cruise liners which call in to New Port. The North Anteport leads to the North Basin, which houses the Naval Dockyard and a hydrofoil ferry terminal. This is linked to the South Basin via four long dock basins which mainly accommodate small and recreational vessels. The area to the E of these four basins is known as Madero Port (Puerto Madero) which has latterly undergone a substantial amount of new development. Beyond this to the E is a nature reserve (Reserva Ecological) which borders the coastline. At the entrance to the South Port (Puerto Sur) on the S shore there is an LPG jetty (Darsena de Propaneros) and the Flammables Basin (Darsena de Inflamables). On the N bank there is No 2 Dock (Darsena 2) and the East Basin (Darsena Del Este) with a floating drydock and shipyard, also the power station with an oil tanker berth. Inside the South Anteport past the Eastern Basin is the South Dock (Dock Sud), with a container terminal and berths and dolphins for tankers. To the SW of the South Anteport is the entrance to the Riachuelo, a narrow winding river used by coastal vessels with drydocks, building slips and repair yards. Traffic figures: Approx 2,200 vessels, 11,800,000t of cargo, 1,150,000TEU, and 1,000,000 passengers handled annually. Load line zone: Summer. Max size: No max draught is stipulated for the port of Buenos Aires and vessels should proceed, or not, according to existing conditions. In this respect draughts of around 9.75m (FW), taking advantage of the tide, are not uncommon. However, due to varying conditions of tides and winds and depths in the channels and alongside, Masters should exercise great care and consult agents and pilots as necessary. No max length is stipulated for vessels entering the port but PNA and agents should be consulted with regard to vessels over approx LOA 230m . In this respect, Panamax type vessels regularly operate without difficulty, and recently the new cruise terminal can accept vessels of LOA 300m. It should be noted and taken into account that not all berths are suitable for vessels of the above LOA and draughts.