Marsden Point

1. Northport / Whangārei pilot boarding ground (approx. 2 M SE of Fairway buoy) Pilot boards35°54.9′S 174°34.6′E

Size limits

Draught 15.2m, LOA 300m, Beam 50m, 164,714DWT.

Water density

1025 at Marsden Point, 1023 at Whangarei berths.

Load line zone

Summer.

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

Approach

Mandatory Code: (Refer to "Country Information" for details of Exclusion Zone). From the N: Pass 5nm to the E of the Poor Knights Islands and High Peak Rocks, then midway through Parry Channel and then to the Pilot Station.

The approach to Marsden Point has a shallowest depth of 14.6m at chart datum between the Fairway Buoy and No 1 buoy. The least width of 190m is between No 3 and No. 6 buoys. Tidal streams are strongest in the area of No. 7 buoy where rates of over 3 knots may be experienced.

For vessels proceeding to Northport from 0-390m, the controlling depth is 13m at chart datum and from 390-570m it is 14.5m. The swinging basin has a maximum width of 400m. For vessels proceeding to Northport Marsden Point Jetty berth, the controlling depth is 7.1m at chart datum.

From One Tree Point up to Whangarei the channel is shallower and narrower with a charted channel minimum depth at chart datum of 7.0m. The minimum width for most of its length is 90m.

The minimum charted depth to Portland is 4.7m at chart datum.

The port is well lit with buoys, beacons and leading lights. Vessels may enter by day or by night. There is no shore-based control of vessels.

The channel is well marked from the Fairway Buoy to Whangarei with buoys, beacons and leading lights.

Port limits

Whangarei Harbour comprises all tidal waters enclosed by a line drawn:

From Tutukaka Head (35°37.0'S 174°33.0'E), 0.5nm E, then:

S through positions 0.5nm E of Bream Head (35°51.0'S 174°35.0'E) and 05nm E of Sentinel Rock (36°05.0'S 174°36.0'E), then:

SW to the coast 0.5nm S of Sentinel Rock.

Traffic schemes and VTS

All traffic in the approach channel is controlled by the pilot of the day.

Vessels are not allowed to pass in the channels inward of No 3 Lightbuoy (35°52.0'S 174°31.7'E), moored off the harbour entrance, unless permission has been obtained from the harbour control authority.

Restriction: A minimum of 10% UKC is required by the port.

Anchorages

Outer anchorage is between NE and SE of Fairway Lightbuoys, distant 1nm, in depths from 22.0m to 37.0m, fine sand, good holding ground; or as directed by Harbour Master.

Vessels can anchor close within the narrows of the harbour entrance, in depths of approx 20.0m, 0.2nm W of Passage Island, as shown in the chart. To allow maximum swinging room, draught is restricted to 7.3m.

Small vessels can also anchor on the E side of the harbour entrance, between Home Point (35°51.0'S 174°31.5'E) and Calliope Bank, 0.2nm N, in depths of approx 8.0- 11.0m at the entrance of Urquharts Bay. The bay should not be entered farther than is necessary to obtain shelter from S winds, and care should be taken to ensure a vessel will swing clear of drying rocks which fringe the shore NE of Home Point.

Quarantine anchorage is an area of navigable water in the roadstead enclosed by a circle radius 3nm, centred on Frenchman Island (35°51.7'S 174°31.6'E), or as directed by the Harbour Master.

Caution: An area of foul ground consisting of rock and sand, exists S of fairway Lightbuoy.

Prohibited anchorage. Anchoring is prohibited in the vicinity of submarine power cables laid:

Between Marsden Point (35°50.5'S 174°30.0'E) and Marsden Point Front Leading Beacon, 0.8nm SE.

Between the shore and a number of the lights exhibited in the harbour.

Across Hatea River approx 1nm N of Port Whangarei.

Some of the landing places of the cables are marked by beacons.

Tugs

Six tugs are available.

Mooring

Crude oil carriers at the refinery, always berth port side alongside the jetty. All other refinery traffic berths according to tidal flow. Vessels for Port Whangarei usually swing on arrival.

General berthing information: Whangarei Harbour is a tidal port. Accurate draughts are required for arrival and departure. Vessel arriving in ballast should make sure they have their propeller fully immersed.

Mooring Arrangements

The optimum mooring arrangements for all vessels is 4 head/stern/breast lines and 2 springs fore and aft.

Minimum Separation between ships for berthing should be not less than 15m.

Mooring lines at the east and western end of the berths should be squared off.

Marsden Point Jetty - Mooring arrangements are to be discussed with Northport prior to the vessel's arrival.

Storm Bollards - the pilot will make the master aware of the storm bollards which are to be used in the event of strong winds. Northport will advise of expected strong winds and the vessel must comply with any requirement to run out additional lines. Should the master require assistance, contact Whangarei Harbour Radio VHF Ch 19.

Fumigation - When a ship is undergoing fumigation or is undermanned for any reason, extra lines must be run to the storm bollards and turned up on the ship's bitts (Not winch drums).

Weather Criteria

Charts and publications

NZ 5214, NZ 5215, NZ 521. Admiralty Pilot NP51, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notice of ETA should be sent via shipping agent 72 and 24 hours prior to arrival, then 4 hours prior to arrival via Whangarei Harbour Radio.

Communications

VHF: Whangarei Harbour Radio: Ch 16, 19. (callsign "ZMH 56"), continuous 24 hour watch is maintained. It is normal practice when calling or answering to use the official name of "Whangarei Harbour Radio".

Pilot boat: "Jack Guy", Ch 16. 19.

Standard messages

Anchoring instructions from Whangarei Harbour Radio.

Notice of readiness

As per Charter Party or at arrival at the pilot station.

Documents

Special forms: Port company wishes to see Hazardous Cargo and Cargo Plan, 48 hours prior to arrival.

Agents will provide a full set of forms for next voyage or will send on request.

Health

Pratique request to Health Department via a coastal radio station. Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates is possible.

Customs and immigration

Officials from Customs and Immigration will meet the vessel on arrival.

Flags

New Zealand national flag. Courtesy ensign.

Notices and regulations

"Northland Regional Council Bye Laws" delivered by the pilot on boarding.

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.

Inspection of ships in New Zealand

Maritime Safety Authority

PO Box 27006, 275-281 Upper Cuba Street, Wellington, New Zealand.

Tel: +64 4 382 8198.

Fax: +64 4 382 4934.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Maritime Safety Authority of New Zealand.

Contact person: Maritime Security Adviser.

Address: PO Box 27006, Level 8 Gen-I Tower, 109 Featherston Street, Wellington, 6005, New Zealand.

Tel: +64 4 471 5366.

Fax: +64 4 494 1270.

Website: http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz

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

Repairs

Available. Lay up and repair possible at Marsden Point Wharf.

Dry docks

A small slipway is available for vessels up to 1,524DWT, LOA 88m and beam 15.2m. The slip is operated by Macrae Engineering.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available.

Medical

Whangarei Base Hospital.

Crew change

Is possible with a good airport service to Auckland.

Transport

Nearest airport: Whangarei, 50km.

Airport facilities: Domestic flights to Auckland International Airport.

Nearest railway: Whangarei.

Working hours

Cargo: From 0700-1530hrs, 1st work period; 1530-2300hrs, 2nd work period; 2300-0700hrs, 3rd work period.

Where it is

Marsden Point is situated on the E coast of the N part of North Island in Bream Bay.

The port

Marsden Point deep water port, at the entrance to Whangarei Harbour, has two oil jetties and 0.5nm upstream Northland Port, a timber/general cargo quay with 3 berths. Portland has one jetty serving the cement works. It is reported that Whangarei Harbour closed in 2007 with all cargoes transferred to Northland Port.

Cargoes handled include coal, clinker, bulk fertiliser, fruit, bagged cement, meat products, gypsum, timber products and crude/refined fuel oil products.

Traffic

Approx 5,000,000t of cargo handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Marsden Point?

The pilot boards at Northport / Whangārei pilot boarding ground (approx. 2 M SE of Fairway buoy), 35°54.9′S 174°34.6′E.

What time zone is Marsden Point in?

Local time at Marsden Point is UTC+13. Back to UTC+12 on 3 Apr 2027. Clocks go to UTC+13 on 25 Sep 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Marsden Point?

The deepest berth listed is at Marsden Point: 15.24 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Marsden Point?

1025 at Marsden Point, 1023 at Whangarei berths.

Which load line zone is Marsden Point in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Marsden Point?

Port State Control at Marsden Point: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Marsden Point?

The UN/LOCODE of Marsden Point is NZMAP.

What crews who called at Marsden Point 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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