Geelong

Size limits

Max draught 11.9m, LOA 265m, beam 46m, 119,950DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

MHWS 1.0m; MHWN 0.7m; MLWN 0.5m; MLWS 0.1m.

Caution: Tidal heights are affected greatly by prevailing winds and variations in barometric pressure. In general low barometric pressure and/or W'ly winds increase the height of both HW and LW.

High barometric pressure and/or E'ly winds decrease the height of both high and low water. In the entrance the tidal stream runs strongest at HW and LW. The ebb stream may at times exceed 9kts. Vessels will be required to be in a position W of the tidal stream in the fairway when embarking a pilot.

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

Approach

The approach to Geelong from seaward is through three dredged channels which are well buoyed and charted. Once through the outer entrance the South Channel continues ESE to the port. The passing channels lead to the port are the Point Richards Channel, the Wilson Spit Channel and the Hopetoun Channel with depth of 12.3m and width of 200m.

Caution is advised when navigating within channels due to tidal influences.

Port limits

The port limits extend from the border with Melbourne port limits in the E and include the approach channels to Geelong, the piers at Point Wilson and Point Henry, and the commercial berths and inner anchorages at Corio Bay.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Vessels approaching Port Phillip should give ETA Pilot boarding area by telex 4 hours prior to arrival and contact "Port Phillip Sea Pilots" by VHF radio on Ch 16 two hours prior to arrival at the pilot boarding area. Traffic in all shipping channels within Corio Bay is controlled by the Harbour Master. Unless permission is granted by the Harbour Master, no Master of a ship shall permit his ship to enter any channel within the port and if inward bound shall not permit his ship to approach the seaward entrance to Point Richards channel.

Vessels at anchor should establish communication on the hour, also listen for signals from the pilot station. Messages received by telephone will be passed, without charge, to ships at anchor and messages from ships relayed likewise, but no responsibility will be taken for non-delivery or incorrect receipt or the consequences thereof, such messages are to be confined to operational matters.

Anchorages

Corio Bay: There are three anchorage areas, with limited space, within the bay, designated as Western, Eastern and Southern. The bottom is soft mud and holding is bad. Depths vary from 7.0 - 8.8m. All vessels within the port must anchor as directed by the Harbour Master and main engines may not be immobilized without permission.

Outer Anchorage: Vessels unable to anchor in Corio Bay due to draught restrictions may anchor to the S and E of Point Richards Channel Entrance Light Beacon (38°05.0'S 144°32.0'E), in depths of 12.7 - 15.2m.

Explosives: An explosive anchorage, with a depth of 6m, lies 1,280m NNE of the head of Point Wilson Pier (38°06.0'S 144°32.0'E). Vessels carrying explosives, when required to anchor, must do so within this area. The use of the anchorage is limited to vessels carrying less than 300t of explosives.

Masters of vessels are cautioned that the bottom of the inner harbour is soft mud and is not good holding ground; that vessels must not be immobilised and that vessels at anchor should be adequately ballasted. Vessels at anchorage are permitted to operate their own boats by suitable arrangement with Customs. Alexander Thomson Jetty is the usual terminus for such operations. This jetty has no vehicle access and therefore should such be required for stores or other purposes, boats should use the Fisherman's Jetty.

Restrictions

PORTS program for calculating max draught is in use at this port.

Draught: The movement of vessels with draught of 10.8m or more in the channels will be regulated by the duty Marine Controller, and is subject to the actual tidal rise.

Night navigation: All vessels over LOA 200m and woodchip vessels require daylight for navigation in the port, applicable from the entrance to the Wilson Spit Channel.

A speed limit of 8kts will apply to vessels with a draught exceeding 9.5m to keep squat to 0.6m or less. A further reduction in speed may be required when transiting sections of the channel where the channel profile, due to blockage, is likely to increase the squat effect. This applies in particular to vessels with a beam greater than 35m.

Tugs

Tug operations and provision of linesmen are under the control of the Harbour Master and orders must be placed at least 3 hours before the service is required between 0800-1600hrs weekdays. Application for services at other times must be made prior to 1600hrs. Application for service on Sat before 1900hrs should be made before 1600hrs on Fri. Orders for the period 1900hrs Sat to 1900hrs Sun must be lodged prior to 1700hrs Sat. Orders must be placed prior to 1700hrs on Sun for the provision of services between 1900hrs Sun and 1600hrs Mon. Towage providers in Port of Geelong operate by Svitzer AustralAsia and Engage Towage Geelong.

Tugs are equipped with radar, VHF, UHF and SSB radio and are confined to harbour towage. Ship's Master need to request the preferred towage provider through their agent. Tugs can use own or vessels tow lines.

If additional tugs are necessary, they can be ordered from the Port of Melbourne (at considerable expense).

Mooring

At the discretion of the Harbour Master, vessels may berth head-in or head-out.

Charts and publications

Aus 143. Admiralty Pilot NP14, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Geelong port maintains a daily updated list of expected shipping movements, up to a month in advance. Vessels need only send their ETA's to their agents, who will pass them on to Geelong port. All ETA requirements can be found in Country section.

Communications

VHF: Melbourne Radio: Ch 16, callsign "VIM" operates throughout 24 hours.

Port Phillip Sea Pilots: Ch 16, 12, 8.

Geelong Port controls the movement of traffic within the port, callsign "VL3KV Port of Geelong," 24 hour service.

These frequencies are the same as those operated by the Pilot Station, "Queenscliff", Point Lonsdale Signal Station and all Port Phillip tugs on commercial towage.

Commercial messages must be transmitted by the Coast Radio Station. Masters of vessels approaching from sea and wishing to communicate with Geelong Port may address messages through the port of Geelong via radio VIM, or by Fax: +61 3 5272 1560.

Geelong Port Marine Control: Tel: +61 3 5225 3565

Point Lonsdale Signal Station: Tel: +61 3 5258 1252

HC Melbourne: Tel: +3 9629 6044 or +61 3 9269 5920.

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.'

Notice of readiness

NOR usually tendered as per each vessel's applicable Charter Party terms.

Health

Radio Pratique application: Send answers to latest Request for Pratique (Health) Form to agent to be forwarded to the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS). In the case of Radio Pratique not being granted before arrival, the vessel may be allowed to berth providing the appropriate flag is flown and no one boards or disembarks before an AQIS inspector boards and conducts a pratique inspection.

Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates possible.

Customs and immigration

The Australian Customs Services acts on behalf of the Department of Immigration for everyday matters concerning vessels crew and passengers in the port of Geelong. Crew may come ashore providing they carry a form of ID, usually a company ID or photocopy of passport (preferably with photo) and that primary identification documents (passport or seaman's book) are kept onboard the vessel (usually left with the Master).

Customs allow one bottle of alcohol and one carton of cigarettes in each crew members' cabin, the remainder of such stores onboard will be kept in bonded store. The penalty for non compliance is forfeiture of the goods.

Flags

No special requirements to fly national flags, but customary to fly Australian flag in addition to vessels own state flag.

Notices and regulations

The movement of vessels in the channel with a draught of 10.8m or more will be regulated by the Duty Marine Controller and is subject to the actual tidal rise.

Traffic in all shipping channels within Corio Bay is controlled by the Harbour Master. Unless permission is granted by the Harbour Master, no Master shall permit his ship to enter the channel within the port and if inbound shall not permit his ship to approach the seaward entrance to Pt Richards Channel.

Geelong Port Marine Controller will provide Master with port guidelines pamphlet on arrival covering such topics as garbage disposal and pollution information in a brief overview.

Permits: In order to undertake bunkering, hot work and immobilisation of vessels, it is necessary to request permission from the Marine Services Dept, via the vessels agent. A Port Officer will inspect the vessel and if satisfied, will issue the necessary permit.

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.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available on request.

Bunkering: Oil fuel of most grades available by barge at all berths and at anchorage. Road deliveries possible to other berths. It is necessary to provide anti pollution equipment prior to bunkering and comply with directions from Geelong Port Officers.

Medical

Geelong Hospital, 5km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Tullamarine, 75km.

Airport facilities: Passenger and Airfreight, a direct service operates from Geelong.

Nearest railway: Geelong.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1500hrs, 1500-2200hrs, 0001-0700hrs.

Where it is

The port of Geelong occupies the W arm of Port Phillip Bay.

The port

The commercial berths stretch along the NW, W and SW shores of the bay. A petroleum refinery accounts for one third of the port's traffic, and bulk goods handled include crude oil, petroleum, chemicals, aluminium, grain, steel products, timber products and fertilisers. All commercial wharves and piers are owned and controlled by Geelong Port, with the exception of the Point Wilson Explosives Jetty, (Commonwealth Government) and the Bulk Grain Pier, Berth No 3, (Graincorp).

Traffic

Approx 13,000,000t of cargo handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Geelong?

Pilotage is compulsory within Port Phillip.

What time zone is Geelong in?

Local time at Geelong 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 Geelong?

The deepest berth listed is at Bulk Grain Piers: 11.70 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Geelong?

1025.

Which load line zone is Geelong in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Geelong?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Geelong?

The UN/LOCODE of Geelong is AUGEX.

What crews who called at Geelong 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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