Lautoka

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 330m, beam 39m, draught 10.4m, 70,000DWT.

Off Shore: LOA 184.95m, BCM 95m, draught 11.5m, 51,768DWT.

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 1.67m. Tidal streams set along the line of the wharves.

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

Approach

Directions for S approach to Lautoka: From the vicinity of Vuda Point (17°41.0'S 177°23.0'E) the track leads N and NE, passing (positions relative to Vuda Point):

E of Catlow Reef Beacon (3nm WNW) possibly missing, then W of Naikorokoro Light (1.75nm N), then NW of Naikorokoro Point (2.75nm N) which is densely wooded and marked by a beacon (triangle topmark), and SE of a group of straggling reefs (4.5nm NNW on which lie Pascoe Cay and Tivoa Islet), then NW of the seaward end of a submarine pipeline (4.5nm NNE).

Then the track leads either to the quarantine anchorages, situated approx 0.5nm E of Pinder Reefs (017°36.0'S 177°25.0'E), which dry and are marked at each end by a beacon, or NE into the inshore passage N of Viti Levu.

The fairway between Vio Island and Lautoka has a least navigable width of 140m and a least depth of 9.4m.

Directions for entry: S entrance: Approaching the berths from S, the track leads ENE and N, passing S of a beacon marking the reef's edge on the S side of Vio Island, then close E of a light beacon (concrete pile) marking the reef's edge off the SE extremity of Vio Island.

Then the track leads to the berths.

N entrance: Approaching the berths from N, the track leads round the N end of Vio Island, passing N of a light beacon (grey concrete pile) and a beacon (white triangular topmark) standing close together on the edge of the reef off the N extremity of Vio Island and S of a light beacon (white round concrete pedestal), possibly extinguished, (0.5nm NNE) marking the S end of Bekana (Mbekana) Island which is covered with mangroves.

Then the track leads to the berths; deep draught vessels should beware of shoal patches, with a least depth of 8.8m, which exist 0.1-0.2nm NNW of Queen's Wharf.

A dredged channel, 20m in width, runs E into the fishing port round the end of the breakwater. It is marked by 2 conical lightbuoys along its N side.

Port limits

The harbour limits of Lautoka extend:

N to Rava Reef (17°33.0'S 177°27.0'E), W to Covuli (17°35.0'S 177°25.0'E), Pascoe Cay (17°36.0'S 177°22.0'E) and Catlow Reef (17°40.0'S 177°20.0'E), S to a position 3nm S of Catlow Reef.

Anchorages

Quarantine anchorage, with a radius of 0.15nm and depths of 22.0-24.0m, lies approx 1nm W of the light beacon off the N extremity of Vio Island and 0.5nm E of Pinder Reefs.

Anchorage for vessels awaiting a berth can be obtained in depths of 13.0-19.0m, mud, in the channel between Bekana Island and the coast SE.

Restrictions

Discharge of explosives is to be carried out immediately after berthing and in daylight hours only.

Tugs

Two tugs, with bollard pull of 12t and 38t, are available. The services of more powerful tugs can be arranged from Suva by prior notice.

Charts and publications

BA 1670. Admiralty Pilot NP61, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA should be advised to the vessel's agent 72 hours prior to arrival. Further ETA's should be sent 48, 24, 12 and 6 hours prior to arrival. The messages, in addition to date and time of arrival information, should also include any requirements and health condition of crew and passengers.

Communications

VHF: Port: Ch 16, 12 and 84.

Pilots: Ch 16, 06 and 84. (RT: 2182/2638kHz).

Notice of readiness

Tendered as per vessel's Charter Party.

Documents

Cargo documentation: The Ports Authority of Fiji requires a copy of the manifest prior to vessel's arrival.

Health

Health Authorities require that the vessel cables details of ports visited within 50 days of arrival. This should be sent with the 48 hour ETA message. Details to be sent to Port Health Authority, Fax: +679 313568. Radio pratique will be granted to a vessel which has not visited a port in a malarial area within 50 days.

The Authorities will board, inspect and spray a vessel which has visited a malarial port. Such a vessel will not be allowed to berth at night. A Quarantine Officer will sight Maritime Declaration of Health and Ship Sanitation Control Certificate on boarding. Vessel must anticipate delays since Port Health board at quarantine anchorage from 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.

No further pratique formalities are required in Fiji other than at the first port of entry.

Flags

Vessels to fly Fiji's national flag.

Notices and regulations

Vessel operations are governed by the Port Authority and Maritime Regulations, copies of which are obtainable.

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: Maritime and Port Authority of Fiji (MPAF).

Position: Security Officer.

Address: PO Box 780, Suva, Fiji.

Tel: +679 331 2700.

Fax: +679 330 0064.

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

Only comparatively minor repairs can be effected, eg, welding jobs and repairs to pumps and other auxiliaries.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available by road tanker.

Medical

Lautoka Hospital, 2.5km.

Crew change

Crew change may be arranged through vessel's local agent.

Transport

Nearest airport: Nadi International Airport located at Nadi, 21.9km.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Stevedoring on the wharf is solely undertaken by Ports Terminal Ltd.

Where it is

Lautoka is situated on the NW coast of the island of Viti Levu, the largest island in the Fiji group.

The port

Lautoka handling bulk cargo, specializing in bulk sugar, molasses, woodchips, petroleum, gas and cruises.

Traffic

Approximate 3,350,000t of cargo, 38,000 TEU and 400 vessels are handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Lautoka?

Pilotage is compulsory.

What time zone is Lautoka in?

Local time at Lautoka is UTC+12. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Lautoka?

The deepest berth listed is at Vuda Point Terminal: 11.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Lautoka?

1025.

Which load line zone is Lautoka in?

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

Who carries out Port State Control at Lautoka?

Port State Control at Lautoka: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Lautoka?

The UN/LOCODE of Lautoka is FJLTK.

What crews who called at Lautoka 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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