PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Abbot Point
Pilot
updated Nov 2022Pilotage company: Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ)
Port(s) served: Abbot Point and Lucinda.
Pilots are compulsory for all vessels over LOA 35m and available 24hrs a day. Prior notice confirming ETA to be sent to agent 48hrs before arrival.
Pilots can be called on VHF Ch 16 and work on VHF Ch 06. A vessel is expected to make VHF contact when close to the port limits.
English is used for all communications in the port.
To contact by mail, telephone, fax or email, refer to "Address section".
The pilot boarding area is situated at 19°48.2'S 148°03.5'E, pilot boards by launch. Vessels awaiting a pilot should anchor within 1nm of the pilot boarding place.
Reef pilotage is compulsory for all sections of the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait with the exception of the Grafton and Palm Passages.
It is recommended that a ship's Master unfamiliar with the southern sector of the inner route including Grafton and Palm Passages, should employ a licensed pilot in these waters.
For outbound vessels taking a pilot through Hydrographers Passage, the pilot will remain onboard to pilot vessel through Lihou/Diamond Passage and Jomard Entrance before disembarking at new pilot vessel station off Torlesse Island in Papua New Guinea.
For berthing, the pilot will board in position 19° 48.12âS, 148° 03.6âE.
Key data
updated Jul 2026Size limits
LOA 300m, beam 50m, draught 18.4m, 211,149DWT.
Any vessels over this size may be able to enter the harbour at the discretion and determination of the Regional Harbour Master upon written application
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
The spring range is 2.0m and neap range is 0.8m. Tides run approx parallel with the wharf face at 1-2kts.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adani Abbot Point Terminal (AAPT) | 18.40 m | 300 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Apr 2026Approach
There is no dredged channel to the offshore berth but the minimum depth of the recommended approach is 17.2m LWD. The coal terminals may be approached from the Inner Route as required from NE or NNW using a series of leading lights.
Port limits
The area comprised within a line commencing at the intersection of the HW mark and meridian of 147°59'E and bearing 000° along that meridian to its intersection with parallel of 19°48'S, then bearing 090° along that parallel to its intersection with meridian of 148°08'E.
Then by a line to the N extremity of Gloucester Head on Gloucester Island.
Then by the HW mark along the W edge of Gloucester Island to Edgecombe Bay. Then by a line to the port entrance beacon to Bowen Boat Harbour to the S extremity of Dalrymple Point, then to Abbot Bay.
Traffic schemes and VTS
The Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) centre is operated by Maritime Safety Queensland and is situated at the Regional Harbour Masterâs office in Townsville. The centreâs call sign is âAbbot Point VTSâ. The VTS should be contacted in relation to ship traffic scheduling, pollution/marine incidents and reporting defective navigation aids. The service is provided by Maritime Safety Queensland and provides a 24hrs/7 days a week marine operations service to the port community. Note: VHF coverage at Abbot Point is limited to VHF CH12 and 16. Ships may also contact Abbot Point VTS through Reef VTS on VHF CH14.
Anchorages
Abbot Point has 18 designated anchorages located outside the compulsory pilotage area. Please refer to Map C2-370 for their locations.
Restrictions
The departure UKC is 6% of the vessel's max draught plus 1.0m.
Vessels in ballast must have their propellers fully immersed but with trim not exceeding 2.5m by the stern and forward draught not less than 2% of LOA.
Access to the wharf and the loading plant is restricted. Persons needing access, including crew members or visitors, must wear safety hard hats, safety shoes and suitable eye protection, as well as comply with all safety regulations. APB is not accountable for accidents incurred by personnel who use their wharf gangway. Pedestrian access along the wharf approach is not permitted. Special dispensation is required for private vehicles and visitors within the port for wharf access. Access to the remainder of the port site is strictly prohibited.
Tugs
There are two ASD 80 TBP and one 65 TBP tugs available. Up to 3 tugs can be deployed upon request. Tug's lines are always used. Tugs are based at Bowen and take 2.5-4hrs to reach Abbot Point, therefore masters are advised to order tugs in sufficient time, particularly taking into account that weather conditions may become unsafe at the wharf, requiring the vessel to unberth ahead of schedule.
Mooring
Vessels normally berth starboard side alongside.
Charts and publications
AUS826. Admiralty Pilot NP15, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jan 2021ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessel's ETA should be sent 10 days in advance, or through their agents, stating name and type of vessel, cargo quantity required, total cargo quantity required and hatch loading sequence. Confirmation of ETA should be send 5, 2 and 1 day prior to arrival.
Communications
Perth Radio "VIP" and Townsville Radio, "VIT" can be used for passing ETA's.
VHF: Pilot/boat: Ch 16, 06.
Tugs: Ch 13.
Abbot Point VTS: Ch 12, Ch 14 (Reef VTS). Tel: 1300 721 263, Fax: +61 7 4721 0633, Email: [email protected].
Telephone: +61 7 4421 8100
Facsimile: +61 7 4721 2028
Standard messages
Note: To be lodged at Customs Marine Centre, with a copy of the Crew List, 48 hours prior to the vessel's arrival.
unquote
Notice of readiness
NOR to be tendered by agent on Master's behalf to shipper in accordance with Charter Party.
Health
Pratique is available by telex or cable to agent 24 hours prior to arrival.
Customs and immigration
Customs should be contacted at least 48 hours prior to arrival.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.
Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
Contact person: The Secretary.
Address: GPO Box 594, Canberra ACT 2601 Australia.
Tel: +61 2 6274 7114.
Fax: +61 2 6274 7994.
Mob: +61 0417 273 185.
24 hour contact: Office of Transport Security Operations Centre.
Tel: +61 2 6274 8187.
Fax: +61 2 6274 6089.
Email: [email protected]
ISPS Compliance: ISPS compliance is 100% for Australian ports, Australian port facilities and Australian flagged ships.
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Jan 2021Repairs
There are no repair facilities, only light engineering and welding services available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Bunkers: No facilities are available.
Fresh Water: No facilities are available.
Stores: Available by arrangement.
Medical
Bowen Hospital, 30.2km.
Crew change
Not recommended, only emergency changes.
Transport
Nearest airport: Collinsville Airport, located at Collinsville, 99.7km and Whitsunday Coast Airport located at Gunyarra QLD, 103km (domestic only).
Nearest railway: Bowen.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Abbot Point
updated Jul 2026Where it is
Abbot Point, Australia's most N'ly deepwater coal port, is situated on the NE coast of Australia, 25km north of Bowen.
The port
Abbot Point is most northern coal export port and one with remarkable potential for trade growth, located at the coal mines of Newlands and Collinsville. The port comprises of a rail supplied loading facility, coal handling and stockpile areas, and a trestle jetty with two berths, each connected to a shiploader. The port is leased by North Queensland Export Terminals (NQXT) and operated by Abbot Point Operations (APO).
Traffic
Approx. 33,000,000t cargo and 300 vessels are handled annually.
Questions about Abbot Point
What are the pilot arrangements at Abbot Point?
Pilotage company: Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) Port(s) served: Abbot Point and Lucinda.
What time zone is Abbot Point in?
Local time at Abbot Point is UTC+10. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Abbot Point?
The deepest berth listed is at Adani Abbot Point Terminal (AAPT): 18.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Abbot Point?
1025.
Which load line zone is Abbot Point in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Abbot Point?
Port State Control at Abbot Point: Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Abbot Point?
The UN/LOCODE of Abbot Point is AUABP.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Abbot Point say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.