Hobart

1. Hobart boarding ground — N approach (D'Entrecasteaux Channel) Pilot boards43°03.7′S 147°23.4′E
2. Hobart boarding ground — River Derwent Pilot boards42°55.5′S 147°22.9′E
3. Hobart boarding ground — S approach (D'Entrecasteaux Channel) Pilot boards43°26.3′S 147°03.8′E

Size limits

LOA 348m, 63,476DWT, Beam 41.20m

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Tides at Hobart are irregular, the max rise and fall being 1.37m. Annual tidal predications for Hobart and Spring Bay are available from the Marine Board and predicted times and heights are also published in the Australian National Tide Tables.

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

Approach

The main navigation channel leads through the central span of Tasman Bridge, width 73m, height 44m. Navigation within this channel is subject to certain regulations.

The N and S ends of this channel are indicated by pairs of beacons on the sides of the river:

S limit: E side, pair of orange light beacons, W side, pair of light beacons, (orange, orange topmarks), both pairs approx 0.3nm S of the ends of the bridge.

N limit: W side only, pair of orange beacons 0.35nm NW of Pavilion Point.

Reciprocal leading lights indicate the direction of the main channel:

North Pair: Rear light, fixed green (fixed yellow day) exhibited from a position 0.2nm N of Beltana Point, (42°51.2'S 147°20.5'E). Front light, 0.25nm S of the rear light.

These lights in line bearing 354° lead through the main channel and the central span of Tasman Bridge from the S.

South Pair: Rear light, fixed blue (fixed yellow day), exhibited from a position 0.2nm W of Sandy Point. Front light, in the form of a green neon triangle exhibited from the centre of the centre span.

These lights in line bearing 174° lead through the main navigation channel and the centre span of Tasman Bridge from the N.

Port limits

The harbour limits with respect to the port of Hobart means much of the waters of the River Derwent and its estuary as lies to the N of a line drawn from the Derwent Light (on the Iron Pot Islet) to Kelly Point, on North Bruny; together with much of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel as lies to the N of a line drawn from the S end of Partridge Island to Southport Island and together with all bays and estuaries opening either into the River Derwent or the D'Entrecasteaux Channel.

Anchorages

Anchorage may be obtained in any part of the River Derwent, clear of the prohibited anchorages. The safest anchorage is always to be obtained on the W side of the river for the E side is unsafe, especially for small vessels.

Restrictions

Navigation under pilotage within the Ports of Hobart (inclusive of Risdon) operates throughout 24 hours basis with the following exception:

Navigation through the Tasman Bridge is prohibited to all vessels exceeding 35m in length, on normal week days during 0700-0915hrs and 1600-1830hrs.

The following cable crossings exist within the port, the use of anchors within 90m either side of these cables is prohibited

Tugs

There are 3 tugs operated by TasPorts to assist vessels when berthing and unberthing.

Normal tug working frequencies are VHF Ch 06 and 08.

Charts and publications

BA AUS 171, 172, 796, Admiralty Pilot NP14, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels ETA should be sent up to 48 hours in advance. Customs require Pre arrival Report for all crew and passengers at least 96 hours before arrival in an Australian port, see Country section for full details.

A vessel approaching Hobart (inclusive of Risdon) should advise the ETA at least 24 hours in advance. Confirmation or amendment of this ETA must be made not less than 2 hours prior to vessel's arrival at the Pilot Station.

Vessels navigating through the Main Navigation Channel or the Western Secondary Navigation Channel of the Tasman Bridge should call Port Control on VHF Ch 12 or 16 or by telephone.

Navigating either end of the Denison Canal, the port should be notified 24 hours prior to transit.

Communications

VHF: Hobart Port: Ch 16, 12, callsign, "Hobart Port Control", manned throughout 24 hours. Vessels can usually establish contact on Ch 16 at ranges in excess of 50nm from Hobart. This range is extended for vessels passing to the E of Tasmania where contact can be established near Maria Island.

Hobart VTS: Ch 16, 12, 67. Tel: +61 3 6235 1000. Fax: +61 3 6231 0693. Email: [email protected].

Pilot Vessel: Ch 16, 06, 08, 12.

Shipping Movement Information Service: Tel: +61 3 6235 1078.

Denison Canal: Ch 16.

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

A vessel approaching the port and requiring pratique, should reply to a radio questionnaire to the Quarantine Office, not more than 24 hours and not less than 12 hours prior to arrival.

On arrival the health report should be given to the Quarantine Officer, two copies being furnished on the prescribed form "Q360", one of which will be signed by the Quarantine Officer and returned to the Master. A passenger list, together with a list of passengers disembarking including their permanent address within the country is also required.

The facsimile number of the Quarantine Department is +61 2 346785.

Radio Pratique will be granted to vessels which forward satisfactory answers to the radio questionnaire. Vessels granted radio pratique may berth on arrival without requiring the boarding of a Quarantine Officer. Radio Pratique is granted for the first port of entry. The vessel and persons onboard are released from Quarantine. All goods remain subject to quarantine. A complete health report is required before free pratique is granted and this is obtained whilst the vessel is in port.

If radio pratique is not granted the vessel will be boarded on arrival. The appropriate day or night quarantine signal should be displayed until clearance is obtained.

Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificate is possible.

Customs and immigration

Requests for the services of Customs Officers should be made through vessels Agents.

Vessels wishing to lower their own lifeboats must receive permission from Customs Boarding Officers.

Flags

A vessel having a diver down must exhibit Flag "A" of the International Code of Signals.

Vessels under pilotage during the hours of daylight proceeding inward/outward shall exhibit the International Code of Signals flag "H".

Notices and regulations

By laws are made by Marine and Safety, Tasmania and administered by local port corporations.

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. No main engine repairs shall be commenced whilst alongside a wharf without the prior permission of the Harbour Master. Permission from the Harbour Master is also required before any welding is carried out.

Dry docks

INCAT Shipyard located in Risdon, servicing repairs and shipbuilding constructions for Fast craft and local ferries, all weather facilities to maximize the productions.

Tasport owns and operates 3 slipways, the largest is available for vessels up to 1,200t displacement.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available alongside.

Bunkering: There are facilities available at Self's Point Oil Berth for vessels to obtain supplies of marine fuel and marine diesel oil for bunkers through pipelines. The pipes are connected direct to the oil company's storage installations. Bunkers can be supplied at other berths by road tankers, subject to permission from Tasports.

Stores: There are several refrigerated stores owned by private business companies situated in Hobart, details can be obtained from vessel's agent.

Medical

The Royal Hobart Hospital 1km, together with specialised ancillary accommodation, has approx 600 beds. All associated medical and surgical facilities are available.

A number of private hospitals are also situated in Hobart.

Transport

Nearest airport: Distance from the city 13km.

Nearest railway: Nil.

Where it is

Hobart is located on the Derwent River in the S of Tasmania.

The port

The port has facilities for general cargo, tanker, container, and bulk cargo vessels.

Exports include: timber, fish and general cargo.

Imports include: petroleum products, iron and steel products, ores and general cargo.

Traffic

Approx 1,746,000t of cargo, 3,000TEU and 400 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Hobart?

The pilot boards at Hobart boarding ground — N approach (D'Entrecasteaux Channel), 43°03.7′S 147°23.4′E. Hobart has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Hobart in?

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

What is the water density at Hobart?

1025.

Which load line zone is Hobart in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Hobart?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Hobart?

The UN/LOCODE of Hobart is AUHBA.

What crews who called at Hobart 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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