Bell Bay

Size limits

Max draught 11.5m, LOA 261.4m, beam 38.0m, 88,200DWT.

Water density

1019-1023.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Low Head - average 2.3m

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

Port limits

A circle of 3.0nm radius, centred on Low Head Lighthouse (41°03.0'S 146°47.0'E).

Anchorages

Sea anchorage, located at 41°01.5'S 116°45.7'E, depth 25m exposed holding unreliable.

Bell Bay anchorage, located at 41°08.2'S 146°52.5'E, depth 14m, sheltered, good holding.

Anchorage may be obtained, in a depth of about 15.0m, on the E side of the reach 1.25nm SSW of Point Rapid Light (41°10.8'S 146°55.6'E).

Egg Island: Anchorage may be obtained, in a depth of about 11.0m, 0.4nm WSW of Egg Island (41°14.6'S 146°57.9'E).

Restrictions

Lower Reaches:

Draught limitations: These are determined by a 1.4m UKC giving max draught at LW of 9.0m (zero tide) and max draught at HW of 11.5m.

Size limitations: For vessels exceeding 250m in length and or 45m beam with draught in excess of 9.0m, contact Harbour Master.

Time limitations: Vessels over 170m in length enter on flood tide only and depart 1 hour either side of HW or LW depending on draught. Earliest entry is LW at George Town. Vessels then enter according to draught through to 30 minutes after HW at George Town. Pilots board approx 15 minutes before these times.

Vessels over 170m in length single up for departure within the following limits:

Large vessels berthed at Woodchip Berths, from 1 hour before up to HW or LW (George Town) depending on draught and tide. Vessels berthed at all other down river berths, from 1 hour before to 1 hour after HW or LW (George Town) depending on draught of vessel and tide.

The shifting of vessels of any size from berth to berth within the port will be undertaken throughout 24 hours, subject to any special requirements at the berth.

Upper Reaches: The upper reaches are navigable to the city of Launceston, max length 100m; draught 5.5m.

Tugs

There are other tugs available at several hours notice from other ports.

Tugs can be ordered through port control.

Mooring

Owing to the narrowness of the channel passing vessels cause a considerable scend making it necessary for vessels alongside to keep a close watch on their moorings.

Charts and publications

BA 4601. Admiralty Pilot NP14. NP286(4). Australian National Tide Tables, Tasmanian Tide Tables, Admiralty List of Lights Vol "K".

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessel's ETA should be sent 24, 4 and 2 hours prior to arrival, the message should include fore and aft draughts and last port. Initial contact should be made with Bell Bay Port Control on VHF Ch 16, then at 4 and 2 hours using Ch 12 to confirm ETA.

Communications

VHF: Port Control: Ch 16, 12 and 67, callsign "Bell Bay Port Control", manned throughout 24 hours. Vessels to maintain a listening watch on Ch 16 and 12 while at anchor or transiting the river.

VHF Frequency: Ch 12, 16, 06, 08, 12, 16, 67.

Telephone: +61 3 6380 3075

Telefax: +61 3 6380 3043

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.

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Health

Quarantine service available. Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificate possible.

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

Available.

Dry docks

Southern Marine servicing repairs, maintenance and other shipbuilding construction for local small fleet.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at a max rate of 30tph per connection at the following berths; Inspection Head Wharf, No 1 and 2 Woodchip Berths. Freshwater is available at 50tph per connection at No 1 Comalco Berth, Berth No 2, No 3 Bell Bay Wharf and Berth No 4 (Petroleum Products Berth).

Bunkering: Facilities are available at all berths except Long Reach Nos 1 and 2. Supply is via pipeline at Bell Bay Berth No 4, road tanker at all other berths.

Berth No 4 (Petroleum Products Berth): Fuel oil 4in and 6in connections, rate of 50/60tph. Diesel oil by road tanker, 3in connection at 18t per 1.25 hours.

Medical

George Town Medical Centre, 5km.

Transport

Nearest airport: George Town Tasmania Airport, 7km; Launceston Airport, 56km.

Airport facilities: Interstate, Passenger, Air Freight.

Nearest railway: Bell Bay.

Working hours

Bulk Cargo throughout 24 hours. General cargo, 0830-1530hrs and 1530-2230hrs. Midnight shift, 2300-0700hrs.

Where it is

Bell Bay, including the port of Launceston, is a major Tasmanian port with multiple berths in the River Tamar, located on the N coast and separated from mainland Australia by the Bass Strait.

Bell Bay is located on the eastern bank of the Tamar River, 48km N of Launceston, adjacent to a major Tasmanian industrial estate.

The port

Bell Bay also known as Port Dalrymple is the largest port in Tasmania and major port for handling domestic and international bulk goods as well as container services. The major industries located at Bell Bay include Temco (the only ferro-manganese plant in the S hemisphere), Comalco Aluminium Smelter and more recently the Starwood Medium Density Fibreboard Plant. Woodchip export facilities are located at Long Reach, just S of Bell Bay. On the W side, Beauty Point harbour within 7nm of the entrance, includes Inspection Head Terminal for small cruise vessel and lay up berth for tugs.

Traffic

Approx 3,558,000t of cargo, 34,000TEU and 300 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Bell Bay?

The pilot service is provided by the Port Authority and is compulsory for all vessels over LOA 35m, unless a valid pilot exemption certificate is held.

What time zone is Bell Bay in?

Local time at Bell Bay is UTC+11. Back to UTC+10 on 3 Apr 2027. Clocks go to UTC+11 on 2 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Bell Bay?

The deepest berth listed is at Bell Bay Terminal: 11.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Bell Bay?

1019-1023.

Which load line zone is Bell Bay in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Bell Bay?

Port State Control at Bell Bay: Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Bell Bay?

The UN/LOCODE of Bell Bay is AUBEL.

What crews who called at Bell Bay 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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