PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Baie Ugue
Pilot
updated Feb 2025Compulsory. Houailou Western Passage: Official entrance for E coast ports: Moneo (Baie Ugue) - Poro - Kuaua - Canala (Boakaine) - Nakety - Thio.
Pilots available throughout 24 hours and is centralised through Noumea. Entrance width 1.5nm clear. Pilot boarding ground: 21°09.1'S., 165°44.4'E, 0.8nm E of green buoy marking W side of entrance. Pilot launch "Sir Frederick Samson" is based at Poro, 9.5nm from Houailou Passage. Pilots listen on VHF Ch 16 and 12 one hour before vessel's ETA.
Key data
updated Feb 2025Size limits
Max LOA 190.0m, beam 32.20m, draught 11.0m and 58,159DWT.
Water density
1035 max in dry season.
Load line zone
South Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Apr 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Mar 31.
Tides
Range 1.35m (semi-diurnal).
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cap Bocage | 11.00 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 Feb 2025Approach
Baie Ugue is entered 5nm NW of Cap Bocage.
From Houailou Western Passage steer 186° on Poro power station. When lateral starboard buoy marking W side of passage is 0.5nm abeam, course is altered to 276° on N edge of Baie Ugue. The distance from Houailou Western Passage to Moneo is 10.5nm.
Anchorages
Anchorage is available for small vessels in depths of 15.0m, swinging circle 0.1nm. Larger vessels anchor 1nm N of conveyor in depths of 34m.
Restrictions
No berthing at night.
Mooring
Vessels up to 32,000DWT and LOA 180m, either port or starboard alongside. Vessels 32,000DWT to 38,000DWT and LOA 180m to 190m, starboard side alongside. Daytime berthing only.
Due to the fact that the berth is open to E'ly winds, vessels are required to moor at the numerous mooring pontoons located throughout the port. These pontoons provide secure mooring options, ensuring that vessels can safely load and unload cargo while minimising the impact of wind and wave action.
Charts and publications
BA 339, 935, 2925. French 6537, 3475. Admiralty Pilot NP61.
Reporting before arrival
updated May 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Initial ETA should be sent 48 hours prior to arrival with further ETA sent 24 hours before arrival. Further messages should be sent if requested. The ETA message, in addition to date and time of arrival, should also include the passage to be used for entering (if applicable), LOA, draughts forward and aft, number of crew and passengers, Master's name, flag, port of arrival and port of destination.
Notice of readiness
NOR should be handed to the agent on berthing or at the anchorage.
Documents
The above forms are for Customs, Immigration and agency.
Health
Pratique accorded by pilot when boarding. Application can be made through the vessel's agent or through the Harbour Master.
The port has no special health regulations but the crew should be healthy and there should be no notifiable disease onboard.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificates can be renewed.
Customs and immigration
Customs allowances: The allowances for officers and crew are 200 cigarettes or 500gm of rolling tobacco and 1 bottle of alcohol. Penalties for non compliance are fines of the value of the local resale price of the goods.
Immigration: There are no specific Immigration procedures and formalities at the port. Agent liaises with the relevant authorities.
Flags
The French flag is to be displayed whilst the vessel is in port. Vessels not complying may be subject to a fine at the Custom's discretion.
Notices and regulations
There are no specific regulations but the Master should be advised by the agent.
Inspections
ISPS
For ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
About Baie Ugue
updated Feb 2025Where it is
Baie Ugue is located on the E coast of New Caledonia.
The port
The Port of Baie Ugue is a maritime facility that plays a role in supporting the nickel mining operations at the Cap Bocage mining centre. Since its establishment in 1969, the mine has been continuously operated by the Societe des Mines de Cap Bocage and has administrative authorisation to operate until 2039.
The port features a deep-water berth and is used to facilitate the loading and transportation of nickel ore extracted from the Cap Bocage mine. However, this berth is open to E'ly winds, which can pose challenges during adverse weather conditions. To mitigate these challenges, vessels are required to moor at the numerous mooring pontoons located throughout the port. These pontoons provide secure mooring options, ensuring that vessels can safely load cargo while minimising the impact of wind and wave action.
Questions about Baie Ugue
What are the pilot arrangements at Baie Ugue?
Compulsory. Houailou Western Passage: Official entrance for E coast ports: Moneo (Baie Ugue) - Poro - Kuaua - Canala (Boakaine) - Nakety - Thio.
What time zone is Baie Ugue in?
Local time at Baie Ugue is UTC+11. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Baie Ugue?
The deepest berth listed is at Cap Bocage: 11.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Baie Ugue?
1035 max in dry season.
Which load line zone is Baie Ugue in?
South Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Apr 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Mar 31.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Baie Ugue?
The UN/LOCODE of Baie Ugue is NCBUG.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Baie Ugue 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.