Bluff

Size limits

Max draught 9.7m, LOA 246.8m, beam 40m, 65,125DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

MHWS 2.7m; MLWS 0.6m; MHWN 2.3m; MLWN 0.9m. (Chart Datum taken as 0.0m).

Tsunamis may affect Bluff Harbour. Warnings are given verbally.

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

Approach

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

Directions: The harbour is best approached from S and entered by South Channel, controlling depth 12.5m, (46°37.7'S 168°21.2'E), which leads through the entrance, between Stirling Point (46°36.8'S 168°21.6'E) and Tiwai Point (0.65nm N), into harbour.

The entrance can also be approached by vessels of moderate draught from E, through North Channel (controlling depth 7.2m), between Davey Shoal (46°36.6'S 168°21.9'E) and the N coast. This entrance should only be used after advice from the Harbour Master.

Vessels generally enter from 30 minutes before HW until the time of HW, or from 45 minutes before LW so as to berth at slack water. Entry should not be attempted during the full strength of the tidal streams.

Port limits

The seaward limit is the arc of a circle, radius 3nm, centred on Stirling Point (46°36.8'S 168°21.6'E).

Anchorages

Waiting anchorage: In fine weather, a recommended anchorage, for inbound vessels waiting for the tide or a berth, is at Saddle Point (46°44.0'S 167°59.5'E) and Murray River (46°47.0'S 168°01.5'E).

Good anchorage for vessel delayed longer than 6 hours is from 5-6nm E of Dog Island in depths from 14.0 -18.0m, plenty of cable and both anchors may be needed. In the event of the anchors not holding a vessel is recommended to heave-to on a line joining Dog Island Light Waipapa Point Light, 18nm E. Both Lights are usually visible in the driving rain of a gale, day or night, for a distance over 6nm. In Toetoes Bay, N of the line, a vessel will be out of the ocean swell.

Other good anchorages, with shelter from the most severe W weather, are available under the lee of Stewart Island, less than 20nm from Bluff Harbour.

Quarantine Anchorage is in the open roadstead within 3nm of Stirling Point, or as directed by the Port Authority.

Explosives Anchorages for vessels carrying more than 5t of explosives will be designated by the Port Authority.

Harbour anchorage. Vessels may only anchor in the harbour in emergency. The area available for ocean going vessels extends a 0.5nm NW of the harbour entrance and is generally narrow and confined.

Caution. An abandoned submarine telegraph cable exists between Dog Island and the coast N.

Restrictions

Draught may be increased to 10.0m, depending on the height of HW, and up to 8.0m depending on the height of LW. For vessels entering and leaving harbour at HW in daylight, length may be increased to 225m and beam to 34m on a reduced draught as determined by the Harbour Master.

UKC: A vessel should maintain an Under Keel Clearance (UKC) of at least 1.2m in No 3 reach and 10% of draught in the Inner Harbour.

Visibility: Under no circumstances will a transit of No 3 Reach be considered in restricted visibility.

Maximum draught for shifting a vessel in the harbour at LW is 8.0m.

In general, limiting wind speed is approximately 30-35kts.

For Panamax and wood chip vessels limiting wind speed is approximately 20kts.

Tugs

Fire fighting and deepsea salvage facilities available.

Mooring

Minimum recommended moorings are 4 head/stern lines plus 2 springs either end. Additional shore moorings may be used on high windage vessels such as woodchip carriers.

Vessels usually berth bows W, except at No 1 Ro-Ro berth.

Charts and publications

NZ 68, 681, 6821. Admiralty Pilot NP51, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify vessel's agent, charterer and vessel owners of ETA 7, 5, 3 and 1 day prior to arrival. Message to include draught fore and aft and any requirements. Notify any changes to the final ETA. A Notice of Arrival, copy of the Crew List, arrival draught and any dangerous cargo onboard should be sent 48 hours before arrival, and ETA confirmed 12 hours before arrival or not later than 1600 LT on last working day before arrival.

Communications

Perth Radio/Tairoa Head available throughout 24 hours on 2182kHz, 4125kHz, 6215kHz, 8291kHz, 12290kHz and 16420kHz.

VHF: Port: Ch 16, 14, 06, 12, callsign "Bluff Harbour Radio". Pilot: Ch 16, callsign "Bluff Pilot".

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

Local Customs will accept ship's forms, provided Bluff is the only NZ port, NZ forms will be attached to the front of the ship's forms and the Master will be asked to sign the NZ form in the appropriate place.

CS = Customs; IM = Immigration; HA = Health Authorities.

The Port company requires the 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.

Certificates

If there are any additional forms required at any time, the agent will generally deliver these onboard as and when required.

Health

Pratique can be applied by radio 24 hours prior to arrival.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

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

Allowances for officers and crew: 200 cigarettes, 1 litre spirits, 9 litres of beer, 750ml wine, there are cash fines and confiscation, for non compliance with these allowances.

Crew and passengers, (other than Australians and New Zealanders) require a permit to leave the vessel, some nationalities require a visa.

Notices and regulations

Regional Council Bye Laws apply. Vessels must comply with ballast water discharge restrictions and be free from Asian Gypsy Moth.

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

Major repairs can be effected, divers available for inspections only.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Gas oil is available at Berths No 11 and 12 and by road tanker at all others. Road bunkering is available at Island Harbour berths only.

Medical

Invercargill, 30km.

Crew change

Available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Invercargill, 30km (domestic). Christchurch, 320km (international).

Airport facilities: Crew change and airfreight facilities.

Nearest railway: Freight railway at Bluff; passenger railway at Invercargill, 30km.

Working hours

Hours of work are varied depending on specific trade and may be of consist of day work (8 hours), 2 shifts (7.5 hours each), 24 hours (3 x 8 hours), or other variations of these.

Where it is

The port of Bluff is New Zealand's southernmost port, located 27km from Invercargill, the capital city of Southland.

The port

Bluff is the port for Southland and benefits from being a natural harbour with surge free conditions and is well protected from prevailing winds. It is a commercial and customs port, the terminus for the Foveaux Strait ferry service and base for local fishing fleet.

Exports: Aluminium, Meat, fertilizers, fish, wool, grain, wood chips, logs, lumber and refrigerated products. Imports: Bulk materials for the aluminium smelter, petroleum products, raw fertilizer, acid, fish, stock food and cement.

Traffic

Approx 3,500,000t of cargo, 50,000TEU and 300 vessels handled per year.

What are the pilot arrangements at Bluff?

Compulsory for all vessels in excess of 100GT, vessels over 198m in length or 29m in beam are restricted to HW.

What time zone is Bluff in?

Local time at Bluff 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 Bluff?

The deepest berth listed is at Island Harbour Wharf: 9.70 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Bluff?

1025.

Which load line zone is Bluff in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Bluff?

Port State Control at Bluff: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Bluff?

The UN/LOCODE of Bluff is NZBLU.

What crews who called at Bluff 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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