PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Ardrossan
Pilot
updated Aug 2011- Ardrossan pilot boarding Pilot boards34°27.4′S 137°56.8′E
Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels. Pilot boards in position at: 34°27.40'S 137°56.80'E.
Key data
updated Aug 2026Size limits
Max LOA 189m, draught 6.4m, beam 32.2m, 46,673DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range 3.1m.
Mean Maximum Range:2.5m. Mean Minimum Range: Negligible.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viterra Ardrossan | 6.40 m | 190 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jul 2011Approach
The dredged exit channel has a bottom width of 125m and a depth of 9.2m at MLWS. The bottom is mud.
The directions are as follows:
From a position SE of Ardrossan the track leads NW to the pilot boarding area, approx 1nm E of the BHP jetty, then the track leads WNW towards the approach channel.
Leading lights: Front light, (34°26.5'S 137°54.8'E) the rear light is situated 650m from the front.
The alignment 247.5° of these lights leads through the approach channel towards the BHP jetty.
The alignment 226° of 2 beacons (orange daymarks), situated near the head of the jetty assist the final approach to the berth.
The southern approach channel has a depth of 7.2m.
Restrictions
An UKC of 10% of draught or 1m (which ever is greater) is required when transiting the channel and a minimum of 0.3m when alongside berth.
Tugs
Compulsory for vessels over LOA 150m. On arrival, vessels between 150m require 1 tug and 185m require 2 tugs, the latter with pilotage approval. Vessels over LOA 150m or with draught of 7.3m or over require 1 tug for departure.
In poor weather conditions, at the advice of the Pilot, towing requirements may change for safety reasons.
Mooring
Agents are requested to inform Masters of requirements prior to the vessel's ETA.
If steel cable is to be used, the Port Operator must be consulted prior to berthing.
Charts and publications
Aus 139, 781. Lights NP Vol "K", Australian Tide Tables AHP 11. Admiralty Pilot NP13, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010Communications
VHF: Port: Ch 06, 12 and 16, callsign "Ardrossan Port", operating Mon-Fri 0730-1600hrs.
Standard messages
unquote
Health
Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates is possible.
Notices and regulations
Vessels of LOA 35m or more must have at all times at least one person onboard for communication purposes.
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 May 2010Repairs
There are no repair facilities available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Small quantities of fresh water can be made available by special arrangement, rate of flow 3tph.
Bunkers: Not available.
Transport
Nearest airport: Adelaide.
Working hours
Twenty four hour loading operations available 7 days per week excluding public holidays.
About Ardrossan
updated May 2010Where it is
The port of Ardrossan is situated on the western shore of the Gulf of St Vincent, South Australia, about 35nm NNW of Adelaide.
The port
Ardrossan has one small jetty owned by the port authority and one privately operated bulk berth.
Provisions and bunkers are available across the Gulf at Adelaide.
Exports include dolomite, grain and salt.
Questions about Ardrossan
Where does the pilot board at Ardrossan?
The pilot boards at Ardrossan pilot boarding, 34°27.4′S 137°56.8′E.
What time zone is Ardrossan in?
Local time at Ardrossan 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 Ardrossan?
The deepest berth listed is at Viterra Ardrossan: 6.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Ardrossan?
1025.
Which load line zone is Ardrossan in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Ardrossan?
Port State Control at Ardrossan: Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Ardrossan?
The UN/LOCODE of Ardrossan is AUARD.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Ardrossan 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.