PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Lae
Pilot
updated May 2010- Lae – Pilot Boarding Station Pilot boards06°45.5′S 147°01.0′E
Compulsory for berthing and unberthing and in the area W of longitude 147°00'E and N of latitude 06°44'S. Pilot boards between 0.5nm and 1nm S of Voco Point (06°44'S 147°01'E).
Key data
updated Jul 2022Size limits
LOA 211.85m, beam 36m, draught 14.10m, 52,816DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 1.2m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Pacific International Container Terminal (SPICT) | 12.00 m | 230 m | 1 |
| Oversea Wharf | 11.30 m | 200 m | 7 |
| General Cargo Wharf | — | 119 m | 2 |
| PNG Taiheiyo Terminal | — | 137 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jul 2022Approach
The port is approached through Huon Gulf and entered through Markham Bay. Clear with unrestricted depths.
Port limits
The seaward limit is a line joining Voco Point (06°44'S 147°01'E) to Burnung Point (17nm SSE).
Anchorages
Anchorage off this stretch of coast is not recommended as the holding ground is poor and frequent squalls approach from seaward.
Quarantine anchorage: The quarantine anchorage, with a depth of approx 27.0m in it, lies approx 4nm SW of Voco Point, approx 1.5nm SW of Voco Point, approx 1.5nm offshore.
Directions: The track from the quarantine anchorage to the main wharves leads N, passing (positions relative to Voco Point):
E of a coral pinnacle with a depth of 9.8m over it (3.75nm SW), then E of a shoal area extending 1nm SE from Labu Point (3nm WSW) situated 0.5nm SSW of the S entrance point of Markham River.
Labu Bay: Anchorage is afforded, in depths of 24-37m, in Labu Bay (06°45.9'S 146°57.6'E) close N of Labu Point.
Prohibited area: Vessels with a masthead height exceeding 18m are prohibited from entering an area 0.1nm wide extending 0.5nm SE from the seaward end of Lae airfield (06°44'S 147°00'E).
Restrictions
Berthing and sailing are normally restricted to 0600-2200 hours.
Tugs
Two tugs of 500-750bhp, bollard pull of 6t, available.
Charts and publications
PNG643, PNG523. Admiralty Pilot NP60, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Should be advised 12 hours in advance via Port Moresby or Rabaul and confirmed not more than 5 hours and not less than 4 hours prior to arrival.
Communications
VHF: Pilots & Port: Ch 12 and 16. Call "Lae Port Control", listening watch is maintained during working hours and when a vessel is expected out of working hours.
Port Authority/Pilots: Tel: +675 472 2477.
Health
Ship Sanitation Control Certificates available.
Inspections
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
Port services
updated Jul 2022Repairs
No repairs available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available. Diesel, fuel oil and light grades are available from Shell, Mobil and Caltex.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Angau Memorial General Hospital (1.5km).
Transport
Nearest airport: Lae Nadzab Airport (34km).
Working hours
Normally 0800-1200hrs, 1300-1700hrs, 1800-2200hrs, 2200-0200hrs, 0300-0800hrs.
About Lae
updated Jul 2017Where it is
Lae is located facing the Houn Gulf in NE New Guinea.
The port
Lae has two wharves for overseas cargo operations, which includes the handling of general, containers, bulk grain as well as oil and gas cargoes. Bunkers and water are available, but nearest repair facilities are at Port Moresby.
Traffic
Approx 3,300,000t of cargo, 150,000TEU and 1,000 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Lae
Where does the pilot board at Lae?
The pilot boards at Lae – Pilot Boarding Station, 06°45.5′S 147°01.0′E.
What time zone is Lae in?
Local time at Lae is UTC+10. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Lae?
The deepest berth listed is at South Pacific International Container Terminal (SPICT): 12.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Lae?
1025.
Which load line zone is Lae in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Lae?
Port State Control at Lae: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Lae?
The UN/LOCODE of Lae is PGLAE.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Lae 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.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.