Adelaide

Size limits

LOA 348m, beam 49m, draught 13.2m, 168,666DWT.

Water density

1025-1027.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 2.4m (springs), 1.3m (neaps).

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

Adelaide outer harbour and river are approached from the W and entered at the entrance light beacon through a dredged channel marked by light beacons and leading lights.

Outer harbour entrance channel: From the Pilot boarding position (34°47.4'S 138°22.1'E), the entrance channel is approached passing N of the entrance light beacon (34°47.0'S 138°25.0'E), then the track leads ESE.

Inner harbour: Entered from the outer harbour through a dredged channel, marked by light beacons to the Birkenhead Bridge, approx 5nm S.

Controlling Depths in Approach Channels (LAT):

From Entrance Beacon to a line between No 20 and No 21 Beacons, 14.2m.

From Outer Harbour to Inner Harbour up to Berth No 12 (Port River Expressway Bridges) 9.3m. Limited to vessels LOA 206m.

From Hindmarsh Reach to Birkenhead Bridge 8.4m.

Above Birkenhead Bridge 6.3m.

Port limits

The limits of Adelaide extend from Point Grey, 2.6nm WNW, 3.0nm W, 3.0nm S and then E to North Haven breakwater.

Traffic schemes and VTS

The Port Signal Station is located in the Outer Harbour area and controls all movement within the port.

Anchorages

Outer anchorage: Vessels waiting to enter harbour, anchor clear of the channel and navigation aids near the approaches, according to draught. The usual anchorage for vessels requiring pratique is in the quarantine anchorage, close N of the Fairway beacon.

Semaphore anchorage is an open roadstead off the W side of Lefevre Peninsula, between Wonga Shoal, (34°50'S 138°27'E) and the harbour entrance, where the holding ground is good, hard sand and weed.

Largs Bay is situated in the S part of this anchorage and is protected in some measure from SW to S by Wonga Shoal. A good scope of cable should be used and it is preferable to lie to a single anchor. In the event of dragging, a second anchor should be let go since veering more cable is of little use owing to the weed on the seabed.

The best anchorage for small vessels is NNW of the head of the Semaphore jetty and approx 0.75-1.5nm from it, in depths of 6.1-7.9m.

Prohibited anchorage: No anchoring in approaches to entrance channel or in the dredged channel along Port Adelaide River and outside the dredged channel S of Snapper Point. Anchoring is prohibited within 90m of the submarine pipelines mentioned above.

A submarine trim dive mooring has been established approx 4.5nm W of the entrance light beacon. Anchoring is prohibited within 300m of the centre of the mooring marked by 2 white mooring buoys and 2 yellow pillar buoys.

Vessels are not permitted to anchor opposite Outer Harbour Wharf or Container Terminal, or to obstruct the channel in the river.

Restrictions

UNDER KEEL CLEARANCE (UKC): Outer harbour: All vessels navigating the Outer Harbour Channel to have an UKC of not less than 10% of draught.

Inner Harbour: All vessels navigating the Inner Harbour Channel to have an UKC of not less than 7.5% of draught except vessels over 200m and all tankers to have an UKC of 10% draught.

All vessels to maintain 0.3m UKC at all berths at all times.

TURNING BASINS: Number 6 Turning Basin: Vessels over 230m with a draught of 11.0m or more shall only turn if in flood tide rise less than 0.3m/hr, in ebb tide fall less than 0.2m/hr, vessels over 230m with a draught of 12.0m shall only turn in slack water.

Number 3 Turning Basin: Berth 'K', within the designated turning area, to be unoccupied when vessels in excess of 191m are to be turned.

RIVER TRANSIT: The following vessels require the river to be clear of other vessels during port transit: Vessels over 183m and/or having a draught of 9.0m or over, Accolade II at night, tankers if not gas free, hampered vessels.

SPEED LIMITS: There is a max speed limit of 7kts in the portions of Port Adelaide River which lie between No 6 and No 12 Channel Beacons, S of No 27 Channel Beacon and between No 12 and No 22 Light Beacons, in that part of the river S of No 35 Light Beacon. Passing any moored vessels - max 4kts.

BRIDGE OPENING TIMES:

Port River Expressway road and rail bridges open simultaneously at following scheduled times and only by request. Weekdays 0600hrs and 18.0hrs.Weekends and Public Holidays 1000hrs, 1500hrs and 1800hrs and additionally at 2200hrs during Daylight Saving time. Requests to open these bridges should be made via the duty Bridge Operator on VHF Ch 68 or Tel: 1800 018 313 at least ten minutes before the scheduled opening time. Fines may be levied for failure to cancel bookings.

Birkenhead Bridge: Manned for opening of its central span between 0600hrs and 1830hrs (2030hrs during Daylight Saving Time). At least two hours' notice must be given, Tel: 1800 018 313 or VHF Ch 68, callsign "Birkenhead Bridge").

HISTORIC WRECKS: There is an historic wreck within a protected area approx 0.5nm E of No 15 Light Beacon. Also, the wreck of the "Norma" approx 2nm S of No 7 Light Beacon, also within a protected area and marked by a light buoy.

Tugs

There are 4 tugs available with 63, 65, 60 and 49mt bollard pull.

Mooring

The maximum working depth at the berths should always be confirmed as maintenance dredging is required to maintain stated depths.

When a vessel is berthed at a wharf the mooring lines must be positioned by mooring gang employees of Flinders Ports and additional lines must not be placed on shore bollards by crew members, except in an emergency involving the safety of the ship.

Should such an emergency arise, the Duty Pilot and/or the Operations Supervisor must be advised immediately in order that either officer may inspect such lines to determine whether a need exists for mooring gang employees to attend and, if so, the number required.

Mooring lines to shore bollards must not be moved, shortened up or cast off by your crew unless a mooring gang is in attendance.

If it is necessary for mooring lines to be handled for any reason, the Duty Pilot or the Operations Supervisor must be advised in sufficient time for arrangements to be made for mooring gang employees to be in attendance to fulfil this function.

Upon preparing for departure, or should a vessel be required to warp along the wharf or jetty, the Master should direct the appropriate officers and ships personnel, that under no circumstances should any lines be slackened off, let go, slipped or handled in any other way unless instructed to do so by the Pilot or Operations Supervisor.

CONTAINER Berths OH6 and OH7: When vessels are berthing at OH 7 and another vessel is working alongside OH 6, the container crane booms will only be lifted if requested by the pilot/master to the Signal Station. A vessel occupying OH6 shall have its own cranes stowed inboard as another vessel manoeuvres passed.

SWING BASIN, Outer Harbour: 460m diameter.

Charts and publications

Aus 130, 137, 138, 444, 780, 345, 444, 781. Australia Pilot Volume No 1 (Pages 125-130). Admiralty Pilot NP13, NP286(4).

Horizontal Datum WGS84. See also Flinders Ports Port Rules (website http://www:flindersports.com.au)

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notice of ETA: Vessels should send ETA 24 and 4 hours prior to arrival at the Entrance Beacon.

See Country Information for electronic pre arrival information required for cargo and crew/passengers.

Standard messages

Note: To be lodged at Customs Marine Centre, with a copy of the Crew List, 96 hours prior to the vessel's arrival.

Health

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates issued.

Notices and regulations

REPORTING OF INCIDENTS: It is the responsibility of the Master to report any incidents via the Signal Station on VHF Ch 16 or Ch 12, or by telephone, that occur on or near their vessel or malfunction that can cause risk or damage to their vessel or port infrastructure.

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

Repairs

Various structural and engineering repairs can be undertaken by local engineering firms. Five slipways, the largest capable of lifting vessels of 1,500t and LOA 76m, 2 mechanical lift docks, the larger with a lifting capacity of 5,500t. Divers are available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all berths. Rate of flow at most berths 15tph. Inner harbour berths vary from 6-12tph depending upon time of day, outer harbour Berth Nos 1 - 4: 120tph.

Bunkering: Diesel and heavy fuel from road tankers available at some berths.

Permission to bunker is given by the Client Services Officer/Marine Traffic or Duty Pilot on receipt of a bunker application form.

Medical

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville.

Crew change

Agent should be contacted regarding crew change.

Transport

Nearest airport: Adelaide International, 13km.

Airport facilities: International and domestic.

Nearest railway: Adelaide.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Port Adelaide is the capital port of South Australia and is situated 14km NW of Adelaide on the Port Adelaide River.

The port

South Australia's capital city port is the major cargo handling centre of the state. The port consists of an Inner and Outer Harbour.

The motor vehicle terminal handles Ro-Ro trade and other facilities including a passenger terminal and facilities for livestock and general cargo.

Imports: Timber, phosphate rock, sulphur, refined petroleum, limestone, super phosphates, paper and paper products, textile yarns and fabric, iron and steel, motor vehicles and parts.

Exports: Livestock, meat, wheat, barley, wine, malt, fruit, wool, cement clinker, iron and steel scrap, tallow and non ferrous metals, motor vehicles.

Australia's biggest naval shipbuilding hub, Techport, is under construction 3km SE of the Outer Harbour berths which will also offer services for commercial vessels. When finished, a new freeway and river crossing will connect the area's facilities.

Work has been completed to dredge and widen the main channel by 40m, to 170m, and extend the Turning Basin. Adelaide has an expanding tourist industry and larger cruise vessels are now able to berth as well as those carrying cargo.

Traffic

Approx 9,000,000 of cargo (including 1,900,000t of grain), 300,000TEU and 1,000 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Adelaide?

Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels over LOA35m and is available throughout 24 hours.

What time zone is Adelaide in?

Local time at Adelaide is UTC+10:30. Back to UTC+9:30 on 3 Apr 2027. Clocks go to UTC+10:30 on 2 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Adelaide?

The deepest berth listed is at Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal (FACT): 13.20 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Adelaide?

1025-1027.

Which load line zone is Adelaide in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Adelaide?

Port State Control at Adelaide: Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Adelaide?

The UN/LOCODE of Adelaide is AUADL.

What crews who called at Adelaide 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.

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