PORT: EL BLUFF

COUNTRY: Nicaragua

CODE: NIELB

1. LOCATION: On the southern tip of a peninsula on the Caribbean coast, 275 km. east of Managua. The Bluff port is located in the Nicaraguan Caribbean, within Bluefields Bay, at the mouth of the Escondido River, 11 km from the city of Bluefields.

2. OVERVIEW: Fluvial port within Bluefields Bay. El Bluff handles limited cargo and has basic facilities. It is also a base for fishing vessels going out to sea. There are no road links to the mainland. A boat service connects to Bluefields.

3. MAXIMUM SIZE:

Break bulk:  LOA 102 m., draft 4.0 m.

Tankers:  LOA 102 m., draft 4.0 m.

4. TRAFFIC: Handles Containerized cargo.

5. PILOTAGE: Compulsory for all vessels crossing the El Bluff Bar and for navigating the Escondido River. Pilots provided by Port Authority. Pilots board vessel at Southern Approach to Bluff Sea Buoys at pilot station.

6. TUGS:  2×300 h.p. tugs. Service is provided by the Port Authority.

7. BERTHS:

Berth	Length	Depth	LOA	Draft	Cargo
	(m.)	(m.)	(m.)	(m.)
Multipurpose	159	4.0	102	4.0	General, products, fish

8. CONTAINER FACILITIES: Loading/discharging by ship's gear.

9. CRANES: 1×20 ton Liebherr crane.

Crane capacity can accommodate single lifts up to 15 tons. 3×3.5 ton forklifts also available.

10. WASTE DISPOSAL: Not available.

11. SLOPS DISPOSAL:  Not available.

12. WATER: Delivered to vessels at berth by Petronic Company. Hoses supplied by vessels.

13. FUEL: Private firms with berth available by prior arrangement through Agent.

14. CHANDLERY: Not available.

15. CONTACT: Empresa Portuaria Nacional (EPN), Administracion Portuaria de El Bluff, Bluefields, Nicaragua. Tel: +505 2572 2632, 2572 2668. puertobluff@epn.com.ni http://www.epn.com.ni