Anchorage
Vessels can anchor NW of the sea buoy in 9m (5 fm), bottom mud.

River anchorages at Suzannasdaal in 7 m depth and at Chatillion above Paranam in 8 m depth and Road of Paramaribo in 7 m depth. Bottom soft mud. Very limited swinging room.
Vessels awaiting a berth can anchor off Paramaribo in depths from 5 – 10 m avoiding submarine power cables laid across the river WNW from Hoek van Meerzorg (05 48’ N 055 09’ W). Vessels leaving Paramaribo can anchor 5 nm below town if required to await HW avoiding submarine cables laid across the river NE from Leonsberg (05 55” N 055 06’ W).
Care should be taken to prevent water snakes, which are poisonous, from getting on board.
Restrictions
Loading at anchorage only possible upstream from Paranam, approximately 45 miles upstream from outer buoy. 

Arrival

Upon approaching Suriname Ports vessels are requested to send arrival messages 36, 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival at the Sea Buoy, and if necessary to amend their estimated time of arrival in local time (i.e. 3 hours earlier than GMT) after the 12 message, via Paramaribo Radio or via Harbour Master on VHF channel 12, 16.
The arrival message should include forward and aft drafts. The pilot will be ordered only after receipt of the confirmed (12 hours) and/or amended ETA.
Vessels should also announce their air draft on arrival and departure.
Notice of readiness: N.O.R. to be tendered upon arrival at the pilot station.
Flag: Surinam flag must be displayed at all time.

Density

At the entrance to Suriname River 1,015 – 1,025 and at load berths 0.997 (fresh water). Near the New Harbour the density is between 1000 – 1015.

Entrance

Suriname pilot buoy (06 04’.5 N – 055 12’.8 W) marks the outer and of a 10 mile long, buoyed and lighted entrance channel leading over the bar which is formed by soft mud. There is a depth of at least 4.3 m over the bar.

Harbour Authorities

Maritime Authority Suriname
Fax No: 597 472940/ 597 472845
Email: info@mas.sr
VHF Channel 12 and 16.

Maximum Size

The river is accessible to vessels up to about 47,000 tdw, a maximum length of abt. 210 m and a maximum draft of 7.3 m (24’) at spring tide. The draft is subject to the water depth at the outer bar and should always be checked locally.
Large vessels load to maximum draft and complete cargo at Trinidad.

Draft Limitation:
Suriname river chart datum is 4.3 metres keel clearance; from spring to neap 12” and from neap to spring 6”.
At Paranam (Alumina Dock) the maximum beam is 106’ due to the reach of the loader and air draft of 40’.
Miscellaneous

Paranam
Vessels above 35,000 DWT may occasionally touch bottom, which consist of very soft mud (sling mud).

Obstructions

A bridge with 41.20 m vertical and 137 m horizontal clearance crosses the river just above Nieuwe Haven in the Road of Paramaribo in the following positions:

05 48’ 34”.74 N; 055 09’ 26”.10 W
05 48’ 33”.72 N; 055 09’ 30”.96 W
05 48’ 32”.76 N; 055 09’ 35”.58 W
05 48’ 31”.98 N; 055 09’ 39”.90 W
05 48’ 31”.62 N; 055 09’ 43”.08 W
05 48’ 31”.14 N; 055 09’ 47”.34 W
05 48’ 31”.20 N; 055 09’ 50”.40 W
05 48’ 31”.00 N; 055 09’ 53”.40 W

Pilotage

Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 50 GT, and is available on a 24 hours basis. Request for pilotage must be made 48 hours in advance via the Maritime Authority Suriname (MAS), on VHF channel 12.
Vessels should send ETA 36 hours, 24 hours and 12 hours prior to arrival at the Light Buoy, and if necessary vessels should amend their ETA after the 12 hours massage. The pilot will be ordered only after receipt of the confirmed 12 hours and/or amended ETA. Vessels arriving and departing from the Road should report their air draft.
Pilot will board the vessel 1 mile north of the sea buoy. The master to maintain contact with is Pilot Station on VHF Channel 12 for exact pilot boarding time and the instructions. To facilitate safe embark/disembarking of pilots vessels are required to provide proper pilot ladders meeting international safety standards.

Situation

(06 00’ N – 055 10’ W)
Suriname River is the principal river of the country.
Tides and Currents

Spring rise 2.7 m (8’10”), neap rise 2 m (6’07”). HW occurs at Smalkalden/Paranam 1 hour after HW at Paramaribo. After loading, vessels have to anchor at Suzannasdaal for 12 hours awaiting tide for crossing the outer bar.
Average rise of tide is 2.5 metres.

Wind and Sea

Prevailing winds: NE’ly – velocity – 3 – 4 beaufort.
Rollers may occur off the entrance between December and March.