Kimbe

1. Kimbe pilot boarding place Pilot boards05°30.5′S 150°13.4′E

Size limits

Max draught 11.4m.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 1.0m.

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

Approach

From a position approx 3nm NW of Kimbe Island (05°12'S 150°23'E), on which stands a light (white hut, elevation 110m), the track leads 210°, passing (positions relative to Kimbe Island):

Close NW of Laurabada Shoal (1.75nm NW), then WNW of Oto Reef (8.5nm SSW) marked by a beacon (black; cone, point up, topmark).

Then the track leads 196° towards the pilot boarding place for Kulungi Roadstead and Kimbe Wharf, situated 2nm SSE of Grabo Reef Light Beacon No 1 (triangle topmark) (05°29'S 150°13'E).

From a position approx 1nm E of Grabo Reef Light Beacon No 1 (05°29'S 150°13'E), the track leads 223°, passing (positions relative to Grabo Reef Light:

SE of Mowen Reef (0.8nm SW), then SE of Varley Shoal (3.25nm SSW), then SE of Light Beacon No 2 (4nm SSW) marking the SE extremity of Mangana Reefs which extend approx 5nm NW to the coast.

Then the track leads W into the SE entrance to Kulungi Roadstead, passing (positions relative to Kimbe Wharf (05°33'S 150°09'E)):

N of Light Beacon No 6 (1.5nm ENE), then S of Light Beacon No 3 (1.25nm NE), and N of No 5 Light Beacon (0.6nm ENE).

Then the track leads SW to Kimbe Wharf, passing SE of Light Beacons No 4 and 7.

Anchorages

No recommended areas for large vessels.

Quarantine anchorage lies 2nm ENE of Kimbe Wharf, off Light Beacon No 2.

General anchorage can also be obtained between 1 and 2nm ENE of the wharf.

Tugs

Two tugs available.

Charts and publications

Aus 395/840/674. Admiralty Pilot NP60, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA to be advised 48 hours in advance through Rabaul with confirmation 4 to 5 hours prior to arrival.

Communications

VHF: Pilots & Port: Ch 12 and 16. Call Kimbe Port Control, listening watch is maintained during working hours of 0600- 2200hrs, and when vessels are expected.

Port Authority: Tel: +675 983 5134, Fax: +675 983 5134.

Health

Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates available.

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.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Department of Transport

Address: PO Box 1489, Port Moresby, NCD PNG

Tel: +675 325 7500

Fax: +675 323 3339

Mobile: +675 6813745.

For ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Not available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Road tankers from Shell or BP available.

Medical

Kimbe General Hospital, 0.5km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Hoskins Airport, 98km.

Airport facilities: One terminal; mainly passengers, but airfreight companies are available.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1200hrs/1300-1600hrs/1600-2359hrs.

Where it is

Kimbe is situated on the N coast of New Britain Island.

The port

The port has one main wharf for multipurpose cargo operations, and two wharves inside the main wharf for small coastal craft. Services include fresh water and bunkering, but there are no repair facilities

Traffic

Approx 300,000t of cargo, 13,000TEU, 500 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Kimbe?

The pilot boards at Kimbe pilot boarding place, 05°30.5′S 150°13.4′E.

What time zone is Kimbe in?

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

What is the water density at Kimbe?

1025.

Which load line zone is Kimbe in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Kimbe?

Port State Control at Kimbe: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Kimbe?

The UN/LOCODE of Kimbe is PGKIM.

What crews who called at Kimbe 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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