Auckland

1. Auckland Boarding Position Alpha Pilot boards36°44.2′S 174°50.8′E
2. Auckland Boarding Position Bravo Pilot boards36°43.2′S 174°51.5′E
3. Auckland Boarding Position Zulu Pilot boards36°45.8′S 174°49.2′E
4. Auckland reporting point a Pilot36°38.5′S 174°56.0′E
5. Auckland reporting point b Pilot36°36.7′S 174°51.5′E
6. Auckland reporting point c Pilot36°45.0′S 174°58.3′E
7. Auckland reporting point d Pilot36°49.5′S 174°57.6′E
8. Auckland reporting point f Pilot36°41.7′S 174°56.7′E
9. Auckland reporting point g Pilot36°50.5′S 174°55.0′E

Size limits

Max. size limits imposed by the Harbour Master are as follows: LOA 320m, beam 43.0m, draught 12.7m. No vessel in excess of these dimensions may navigate within the Pilotage Area without the prior written permission of the Harbour Master. Any vessels exceeding either the Harbour Master's max. size, established POAL berth/size limits, or for any other vessel deemed necessary, will require further risk assessment and approval from the Harbour Master/GM Port Operations/Senior Pilots as required.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

MHWS 3.39m and MHWN 2.86m. Spring range 2.98m, neap range 1.91m.

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

Approach

Auckland Harbour is entered from E between North Head position (36°49.7'S 147°48.8'E) and Bastion Point, 1nm SSE.

Voluntary Code: (Refer to "Country Information").

From the N: Enter the Hauraki Gulf through Jellicoe Channel keeping at least 3nm off land, then at least 3nm off Flat Rock, then at least 3nm off Shearer Rock and then to the Pilot Station.

From the E: Enter the Hauraki Gulf through Colville Channel keeping to the N of Channel Island and then to the Pilot Station.

The controlling depth in the channel has been deepened to 12.5m. Once surveying is completed this will enable vessels with a 11.2m to transit at all times and vessels with a 13.9m draught on a 3.0m high tide.

UKC: In Rangitoto Channel a min UKC of 10% of draught is required. In approaches to and at all berths a min UKC of 0.4m is required at all times (Vessels with beam of 28.0m and over require 0.5m UKC).

Caution: Mariners are warned that the concentrated shore background lighting has an adverse effect on the visibility of navigational and other vessels' lights. The utmost vigilance is essential at all times, particularly in the inner harbour where the concentrated high lighting of the container terminal can seriously impair the value of other lights.

Port limits

The port of Auckland is the area of tidal waters within lines joining the harbour entrance points and the HW line between them, the area includes Waitemata Harbour and Tamaki River (entrance 36°51.0'S 174°53.0'E).

Traffic schemes and VTS

AIS station installed.

Anchorages

Vessels may transit to/from the Pilotage Limit to these anchorages, or to/from the Pilot Boarding Station to these anchorages without a Pilot on board, if advised to do so by Harbour Control.

Anchorage Nos. 10 & 11 are designated Quarantine Anchorages.

Restrictions

The following applies to all vessels over 100GT proceeding beneath Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Oil tankers: Cargoes may be discharged at night, but pipelines must not be disconnected without the permission of the Marine Services Manager.

Tugs

A 24 hours service is provided. Tugs ordered upon final ETA to Harbour Control. There are 4 bollard pulls tugs are available in Waitemate Harbour and 2 in Whangarei Harbour.

Mooring

Recommended moorings are 4 head/stern lines and 2 springs.

Charts and publications

NZ 5322, 5323, 532, 53, 43. Admiralty Pilot NP51, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

All commercial vessels arriving at Auckland must notify the following information (either directly with Harbour Control or via Agent to Harbour Control):

- 48hrs: ETA /arrival draught/any defects;

- 24hrs: ETA /arrival draught/any defects;

- Within 24hrs of notice given and the ETA varies by more than 1hr, Harbour Control is to be informed immediately (either directly with Harbour Control or via Agent to Harbour Control) so that modifications to daily shipping schedule can be amended accordingly.

- 4hrs: Vessels are to contact Harbour Control on VHF to confirm ETA, pilot boarding instructions, arrival draught and any defects.

ETA's received throughout 24 hours, 7 days, +64 9 348 5200 (or if using phone supplied by POAL, speed dial ‘2’), Email: [email protected].

Communications

Manukau Harbour Radio maintains a constant VHF and visual watch. Inmarsat communication is available.

VHF: Auckland Harbour Control: Ch 12, 16.

Pilots: Email: [email protected].

Tugs: Ch 09, 12.

Meteorological information: Ch 21. Available from the Meteorological Service Continuous Broadcast.

Standard messages

Agent/port company will advise pilot boarding time and berth details, port situation.

Notice of readiness

As per Charter Party or at arrival at the pilot station.

Documents

Special forms: Port company wishes to see Hazardous Cargo and Cargo Plan, 48 hours prior to arrival.

Agents will provide a full set of forms for next voyage or will send on request.

Health

Pratique can be applied for between 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate (SSCC) and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate (SSCEC) can be issued.

Customs and immigration

Normal Customs/Immigration formalities apply. Visas, if required can be applied for on arrival.

Allowances for officers and crew: 200 cigarettes, 1,125ml spirits and 4.5 litres of wine or beer. There are cash fines and confiscation for non compliance with these allowances.

Flags

Signal flags not used. Only New Zealand courtesy flag required.

Notices and regulations

Regional Council By Laws apply. MAF Bio-security New Zealand documentation required.

Traffic regulations: Waitemata Harbour Restricted Zone exists between a line drawn from North Head to Orakei Wharf and a line drawn across Auckland Harbour Bridge. Within this zone no power driven vessel should exceed a speed of 12kts or use an automatic steering device.

Defence Areas and Explosives Safety Zones are establish in Auckland Harbour around the naval base, including the S side of Ngataringa Bay, in Upper Waitemata Harbour around a Royal New Zealand Navy explosives depot at Onetaunga Bay and Hobsonville Royal New Zealand Air Force base jetty. No vessels may enter or remain in these areas when restrictions in accordance with New Zealand Defence Regulations are imposed by the Maritime Commander, New Zealand.

Port State Control here: Tokyo 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.

Inspection of ships in New Zealand

Maritime Safety Authority

PO Box 27006, 275-281 Upper Cuba Street, Wellington, New Zealand.

Tel: +64 4 382 8198.

Fax: +64 4 382 4934.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Maritime Safety Authority of New Zealand.

Contact person: Maritime Security Adviser.

Address: PO Box 27006, Level 8 Gen-I Tower, 109 Featherston Street, Wellington, 6005, New Zealand.

Tel: +64 4 471 5366.

Fax: +64 4 494 1270.

Website: http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Auckland has a wide range of marine servicing and repair facilities. Several private slipways are available within the port and shipwrights, marine electricians, marine diesel and petrol engine repair companies, marine engineers and divers.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all berths.

Bunkering: Primary bunkering service provided by Seafuel's owned bunker barge "Awanuia" that will bunker either alongside or at anchorage. The bunker barge carries up to 2,900t of HFO and 600t of MGO. All vessels wishing to conduct bunkering within port limits must complete a Bunkering Notification Form

and return to the Harbour Master.

Stores: Wide range of provisions are available. Ship provision and chandlery companies operate within the port and city.

Medical

Accident and Medical Centre - Quaymed, Auckland. Tel: +64 9 919 2555.

Crew change

Available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Auckland, 23km S of the port. There is also a local helicopter service.

Airport facilities: Crew change and airfreight.

Nearest railway: Railway on wharves.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours, 365 days a year.

Where it is

Auckland Harbour is located on the E coast of North Island. The port of Auckland is situated on the S side of Waitemata Harbour, on the shoreline of Auckland City.

The port

Auckland is New Zealand's major port consisting numerous commercial berths, handling most types of cargo and cruise ships.

The Port of Onehunga and Marsden Point Oil Terminal are under the Ports of Auckland authority, see separate entries.

Principal imports: Containers, phosphates, sulphur, iron and steel, fresh fruit, motor vehicles, machinery, chemicals, general cargo, wheat, raw sugar, fuel and vegetable oils.

Principal exports: Dairy produce, fruit and vegetables, wool, hides, meats, kiwi fruit, sugar, steel, timber, paper products and general cargo.

Traffic

Approx 1,100 vessels, 3,300,000t of cargo, 880,000TEU, and 330,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Auckland?

The pilot boards at Auckland Boarding Position Alpha, 36°44.2′S 174°50.8′E. Auckland has 9 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Auckland in?

Local time at Auckland is UTC+13. Back to UTC+12 on 3 Apr 2027. Clocks go to UTC+13 on 25 Sep 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Auckland?

The deepest berth listed is at Fergusson Container Terminal: 12.70 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Auckland?

1025.

Which load line zone is Auckland in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Auckland?

Port State Control at Auckland: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Auckland?

The UN/LOCODE of Auckland is NZAKL.

What crews who called at Auckland 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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