Cairns

1. Cairns Pilot Boarding Position A Pilot boards16°47.5′S 145°53.5′E
2. Cairns Pilot Boarding Position B Pilot boards16°48.6′S 145°50.6′E
3. Cairns Pilot Boarding Position C Pilot boards16°50.3′S 145°49.0′E
4. Cairns Pilot Boarding Position D Pilot boards16°46.0′S 145°50.0′E
5. Torres Strait Pilotage — Cairns, Cairns Fareway Pilot boards16°45.0′S 145°50.0′E
6. Torres Strait Pilotage — Cairns, Yorkeys Knob Pilot boards16°44.0′S 145°45.0′E

Size limits

LOA 294m, beam 32.26, draught 10.1m, 57,399DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

HW: 2.61m

LW: 0.68m

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

Approach

Additionally large vessels with draughts exceeding 7.0m cannot sail on an ebb tide as control is difficult when turning from the harbour into the sea reach. Whilst at berth, a UKC of 300mm must be maintained.

Port limits

The seaward limit of Cairns Pilotage Area lies between Taylor Point (16°47.00'S 145°42.00'E) and Cape Grafton, 14nm ESE. The Port Authority's area of responsibility extends farther to seaward to include Green Island (16°46.00'S 145°58.00'E) and the area W of Fitzroy Island, 10nm S.

Traffic schemes and VTS

A Vessel Traffic Service is provided and vessels are not to move within the pilotage areas in the port unless satisfactory two way communications are maintained with Cairns VTS.

Anchorages

Both of these positions are inside the quarantine line; vessels should have radio pratique.

Prohibited anchorage: Anchoring is prohibited within the entrance channel, Trinity Inlet, swing basins and Smith's Creek to the N of the Tingira Street boat ramp, without the approval of Cairns Harbour Master.

Restrictions

All vessels navigating in either Smiths Creek and/or the Duck Pond are to maintain minimum UKC at all times.

All equipment and operation son on Bert No 10 are to be compliant with International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals (ISGOTT) procedures and other appropriate standards. all equipment and procedures are to be fully audited with records available to Ports North.

It is an offence for a person to posses or operate a source, or potential source, of ignition within 30m above, below or alongside Berth No 10 whilst a tanker is moored to the wharf. Prior to entry on Berth 10 while a ship carrying flammable cargo is moored at Berth 10, ignition sources including lighters, matches, firearms, mobile telephones and other electronic devices (unless intrinsically safe) are to be left with the watchman at the entrance of Berth 10. A register recording each person’s name and organisation is to be signed at the time of entering and leaving Berth 10.

It is an offence to fail to comply with this procedure.

Tugs

Towage services are provided by Svitzer Australia. There are two tugs available for towage stationed at Cairns.

Mooring

It is an offence for an owner, Master or person while in control of a vessel to moor inside the Port without first notifying Ports North. Mooring of vessels must be to bollards, hooks, rings, dolphins, anchors or mooring piles.

Charts and publications

Aus 262, 263, 264, 830. Admiralty Pilot NP15, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels bound for the port are required to advise their ETA to the Seaport Operations Centre 72 hours prior to arrival and again at 48 hours and then every 12 hours.

Vessels arriving off the port chould call Cairns Harbour on VHF Ch 16 to advise final ETA 2 hours before that ETA.

All exempt vessels and vessels LOA 35m should notify Cairns Harbour and "All Ships" on VHF Ch 16 prior to departing or shifting berth.

Communications

Radio communication with the Pier Master's Office is available on VHF.

Harbour Master: Tel: +61 7 4052 7400, Fax: +61 7 4052 7460, Email: [email protected].

Cairns Port Control (Piermaster): Tel: +61 7 4052 7470, Fax: +61 7 4052 7460, Email:[email protected]

VHF: Cairns Port Authority: Ch 16, callsign "Cairns Harbour", Tel: +617 4051 2558. Email:[email protected]

Cains Port Control: Ch 12, 74, 81.

Duty pilot: Ch 16, Tel: +61 7 4041 4214, Email: [email protected].

Tugs: Ch 06, 08.

Cairns Vessel Traffic Service (VTS): Ch 16, 12, callsign "Cairns VTS".

Port Authority Operations Office: Ch 13

Australian Reef Pilots: Ch 79

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.

unquote

Health

According to World Health Organisation, people from yellow fever areas or visitors to these areas require a vaccination certificate if entering Australia within the 6-day incubation period.

Radio pratique may be granted.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates issued.

Customs and immigration

For further information see Country section or contact Australian Customs Services direct on Tel: +61 7 4052 3540.

Notices and regulations

Passenger restrictions: Passengers are not permitted to take food, drinks, plants or animals off the vessel.

Arrival: All casinos and bars must be sealed whilst in the port, unless permission is arranged from Customs through the agent. All shops and areas containing goods requiring duty or sales tax must also be sealed whilst in the port.

Arrival/departure report: All agents, owners or masters are required to complete the Arrival/Departure Report and lodge it with the Regional Harbour Master's office 48h before a vessel's arrival. The report is to be emailed or faxed to the Regional Harbour Master (Cairns) office on +617 4052 7427.

Dangerous goods: Must not be brought into or handled in the pilotage area until notification has been sent to the Regional Harbour Master at least 48h prior to arrival.

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

Cairns seaport has an extensive, highly experienced shipbuilding and repair industry with a growing export list for vessels such as trawlers, naval patrol vessels, luxury yachts and high speed catamarans.

Dry docks

A drydock is available for vessels up to 60m in length as well as two travel lifts, a floating dock and five slipways, the largest with a capacity of 3,000t. For larger vessels, voyage repairs of any kind can be undertaken alongside by experienced local repair companies. BSE Cairns slipway provides 360m wharf with alongside maximum depth 5m.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Fresh potable water is available at all wharves.

Bunkers: Available by road tanker.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Medical and dental facilities are located close to the port and Cairns has two major hospitals.

Crew change

Arrangements with Customs and the Department of Immigration through agent should be made in advance.

Transport

Direct overland transport is available to southern and western Australia for all southbound cargoes.

Airport Facilities: Cairns International Airport is located 8km from the Seaport. Cairns International Airport, the sixth busiest in the country, with services provided by 6 international airlines and 5 domestic airlines. Flights are available to numerous destinations including Japan, North America, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Europe, Indonesia.

Nearest Railway: Cairns rail freight terminal is located 4km from the port whilst the passenger station is within 1km of the port.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Cairns is situated 1750 km north of Brisbane and is adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef Marine

Park. With its strategic location in north Queensland and its protected location, the port creates

an ideal haven for pleasure craft.

The port

The port has eleven berths for cargo, container, cruise liners and tourist vessels.

Exports: Include sugar, molasses, petroleum products and minerals.

Imports: Petroleum products, fertiliser, LPG and general cargoes.

Traffic

Approx 1,360,000t of cargo and 1,600 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Cairns?

The pilot boards at Cairns Pilot Boarding Position A, 16°47.5′S 145°53.5′E. Cairns has 6 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Cairns in?

Local time at Cairns is UTC+10. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Cairns?

The deepest berth listed is at Cairns: 8.70 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Cairns?

1025.

Which load line zone is Cairns in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Cairns?

Port State Control at Cairns: Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Cairns?

The UN/LOCODE of Cairns is AUCNS.

What crews who called at Cairns 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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