Kouaoua

Size limits

Max harbour: LOA 161m, beam 26m, draught 8.7m and 28,428DWT.

Max offshore: LOA 199.99m, draught 13.4m and 66,560DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

South Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Apr 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Mar 31.

Tides

Range 1.35m (semi-diurnal).

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

Approach

Entering the bay, the route is as follows:

W of a buoy (port hand) marking the edge of the coastal reef fringing a salient point on the E side of the bay, then E of a buoy (starboard hand) marking a 6.6m patch, lying 0.3nm S of the same point.

Anchorages

Large ore carriers anchor 0.4nm off Pointe Pentecost in depths of 20.0m, ground mud. Vessels in these anchorages are loaded by lighters. Vessels unable to find room in Baie de Kouaoua should anchor in Baie Laugier in depths of 28m. Anchorage also may be obtained 0.45nm S of Pointe Me Kauciri; the swinging room in this anchorage is restricted. Coral heads in the vicinity of the anchorage are marked by red buoys.

Vessels with a draught of less than 9.0m may anchor a little farther S.

Small vessels may obtain anchorage NE of the mouth of the S tributary of Riviere Kouaoua, protected from E through to S to W in depths of 6.0-8.0m, in good holding, mud.

Restrictions

A shoal flat extends from the W shore. It is also worth stating that the head of the bay is foul for about 1.3nm from the mouth of a stream which discharges into it. There are also some shoals in the bay, which are marked by buoys.

Depths within the harbour may be less than chartered due to the silting that may occur.

Tugs

There are no tugs for berthing, however two mooring launches are available.

Mooring

No berthing or sailing is permitted at night from Berth No 1.

Vessels are required to moor at the numerous mooring pontoons located at Berth No 1. These pontoons provide secure mooring options, ensuring that vessels can safely load and unload cargo while minimising the impact of wind and wave action.

Charts and publications

BA 339, 936, 2928. French 6529, 6553. Admiralty Pilot NP61.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA should be sent 48 hours prior to arrival with further ETA sent 24 hours before arrival. Further messages should be sent if requested. The ETA message, in addition to date and time of arrival, should also include the passage to be used for entering (if applicable), LOA, draughts forward and aft, number of crew and passengers, Master's name, flag, port of arrival and port of destination.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be handed to the agent on berthing or at the anchorage.

Documents

The above forms are for Customs, Immigration and agency.

Health

Pratique accorded by pilot when boarding. Application can be made through the vessel's agent or through the Harbour Master.

The port has no special health regulations but the crew should be healthy and there should be no notifiable disease onboard.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: The allowances for officers and crew are 200 cigarettes or 500gm of rolling tobacco and 1 bottle of alcohol. Penalties for non compliance are fines of the value of the local resale price of the goods.

Immigration: There are no specific Immigration procedures and formalities at the port. Agent liaises with the relevant authorities.

Flags

The French flag is to be displayed whilst the vessel is in port. Vessels not complying may be subject to a fine at the Custom's discretion.

Notices and regulations

There are no specific regulations but the Master should be advised by the agent.

ISPS

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

Medical

Nearest hospital: Centre medicale et sociale de la PROVINCE NORD (0.3km) and Dispensary De Houailou (24.85km).

Transport

Nearest airport: La Tontouta International Airport (79km) and Noumea Magenta Airport (116km)

Where it is

Kouaoua is located in Baie de Kouaoua, on the E coast of New Caledonia.

The port

The Port of Kouaoua, located on the eastern coast of New Caledonia, serves as a vital hub for the export of nickel ore, primarily sourced from the nearby Mea quarry.

One of the features of the Port of Kouaoua is its connection to the Mea quarry via the "Serpentine," the longest curvilinear conveyor in the world. Commissioned in 1979, the 11km conveyor system transports nickel ore from the quarry to the port. In addition to servicing the Mea quarry, the Port of Kouaoua also accommodates exports from several smaller peripheral deposits in the region.

Vessels are required to moor at the numerous mooring pontoons located throughout the port. These pontoons provide secure mooring options, ensuring that vessels can safely load and unload cargo while minimising the impact of wind and wave action.

What are the pilot arrangements at Kouaoua?

Pilotage arrangements are made at Noumea, pilots are compulsory and available throughout 24 hours.

What time zone is Kouaoua in?

Local time at Kouaoua is UTC+11. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Kouaoua?

The deepest berth listed is at Societe Le Nickel (SLN) Terminal: 13.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Kouaoua?

1025.

Which load line zone is Kouaoua in?

South Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Apr 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Mar 31.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Kouaoua?

The UN/LOCODE of Kouaoua is NCKOU.

What crews who called at Kouaoua 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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