José Ignacio is not a port but rather an oil erminal loated in position 34º 53′ 52 S, 054º 42′ 55 W belonging to the National Oil Administration (ANCAP). The East Terminal receives the crude oil arriving in tankers and comprises:
- A mooring buoy (SBM) wich connects the vessels with the Terminal;
- A tank complex for the storage of crude oil;
- An oil pipe which transfers the crude oil to the refinery in Montevideo
The mooring buoy is located aout 2 miles from the coast, in a depth of 18m. Vessels should contact Punta del Este Control on VHF channel 16 when withing range.
A floating hose of approximately 250m long, painted black with orange bands and marked by a light, extends from the buoy.
A prohibited area, shown on the chart, surrounds the SBM. Only vessels under pilotage naigating to and from the oil terminal may enter this area. A berthing master, to assist ships securing to the buoy will board.
Two terminal vessels are involved int the mooring operations and other manoeuvres: ANCAP VII and ANCAP VIII, wich also have fire-fighting equipment, a mechanical foam generator and anti-pollution equipment to control crude oil spills at sea of up to 1,000 m3.