Melbourne

Size limits

LOA 349.99m, Draught 14.9m, Beam 50m, 165,293 DWT.

Water density

1000 to 1015.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Mean Max Range 0.8m. Mean Min Range 0.1m. Prevailing winds have an influence on the tidal range.

Due to the restriction of the tidal range within Port Phillip caused by the relatively narrow entrance, the tidal stream in the vicinity of the Heads does not turn at high and low water.

The force of the tidal streams depends upon the relative water levels inside and outside Port Phillip. The greatest difference in levels occurs at about the time of high and low water at Port Phillip Heads. This is when the streams run at their strongest, up to 6kts under normal conditions and may exceed 9kts in extreme conditions.

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

Approach

From the vicinity of Fawkner Light Beacon (37°57.0'S 144°55.0'E), Port Melbourne Channel leads N for 5.5nm along the line of bearing of the direction light, passing (with positions from Gellibrand Shoal Light Beacon (37°52.7'S 144°54.8'E):

W of R2 Lightbuoy (special) (2.25nm SSE). Then E of Gellibrand Shoal Light Beacon (port hand). It marks the remains of a demolished light tower with a depth of 2.3m over it. An abandoned submarine cable leads N from this obstruction. Then E of Point Gellibrand (0.55nm NW) the W entrance point of Hobson's Bay. The point is bordered by rocks and foul ground extending 0.3nm S and 0.5nm E. Between Point Gellibrand and Breakwater Pier, 0.7nm NE, a drying reef fronts the shore. Then E of the entrance to Williamstown Channel (0.7nm ENE) to the swinging area off Station Pier and Princes Pier.

Useful mark: Timeball Tower (stone and brick, 10m in height, disused) (37°52.0'S 144°54.8'E).

Port limits

The port limits are set at 3nm seaward from Point Lonsdale Lighthouse.

Traffic schemes and VTS

The Port of Melbourne Corporation provides traffic information services and traffic organisation services.

All vessels navigating or at anchor within the port of Melbourne, which are fitted with VHF radio, should keep a continuous listening watch on VHF Ch 12.

When approaching the port, radio communication should be made with Harbour Control initially on VHF Ch 12 then on a channel as directed for berthing instructions and information regarding the movement of other vessels.

Vessels entering the port shall not pass Fawkner Beacon, Bolte Bridge or Shepard Bridge without permission from Harbour Control. (Not applicable to passenger vessels of less than LOA 20m).

Vessels anchored or berthed in the port shall not leave their anchorage or berth without permission from Harbour Control and then must act within 15 minutes of permission being given. Inward and outward bound vessels should report their position where applicable, when passing Fawkner Beacon, Breakwater Pier and Westgate Bridge. If vessels are departing from Webb Dock or Port Melbourne, they are also to report when leaving berth.

Anchorages

Various areas are available for vessels to anchor within the port boundaries, location dependent on vessel details.

Quarantine anchorage is located SW of Nicholson Knoll to the W of Portsea. Vessels should anchor in the white sector of Quarantine Light bearing 180° and in the Point Lonsdale Light red sector bearing 278° in 15.0m of water.

Port of Melbourne's inner anchorage (A1 to A3) is located S of Point Gellilbrand and to the W of meridian 144°55.1'E, with restrictions to max LOA 240m and max draught of 9.0m

Port of Melbourne's outer anchorage (S1 to S13) is located 2nm ESE of Point Cook, depths range from 12.7-17.2m.

Port of Melbourne - Hobsons Bay anchorage: Shallow draught vessels may anchor in the fork between Williamstown and port of Melbourne Channels. Water depth is between 6.5 and 7.5m.

Caution: Vessels should not anchor in any fairway, channel or river.

A Transit Only Zone has been established which includes Port Melbourne Channel, Eastern By-pass Channel and Western By-pass Channel. the zone extends into Williamstown channel as far N as Breakwater Pier Light (37°51.86'E 144°55.07'E) and into the Shipping Fairway from South Channel as far S as T1/T2 Light Buoys (Special) (37°00.00'E 144°55.38'E). The zone is marked by light buoys (special). The purpose of the zone is to minimise interaction between recreational boating and commercial shipping. Anchoring, drifting and fishing are prohibited within this area.

Vessels should not anchor in any fairway, channel or river. A prohibited anchorage area extends across the pipeline and sewer crossing area at 37°50.04'E 144°53.84'E on the River Yarra, close to the Korevaar, Shell and BP bunker jetties.

Tugs

Tugs available: 3 x 5,600hp, 1 x 4,800hp and 1 x 3,200hp.

Tug operations are co-ordinated by the Victorian Channels Authority Harbour Control Officers and orders must be placed for services at least 24 hours prior to arrival and at least 3 hours before departure.

Mooring

A gross UKC of 1.5m is required at all times when navigating in the channel S of the junction of Williamstown and Port Melbourne Channels (manoeuvrability margin 0.9m and squat allowance 0.6m).

A gross UKC of 1.5m is required at all times when navigating in channels N of the junction of Williamstown and Port Melbourne Channels (manoeuvrability margin 0.6m and squat allowance 0.6m).

A gross UKC of 0.6m is required when manoeuvring within swinging basins, docks and berths (manoeuvrability margin: 0.6m and no allowance for squat, due to low speed).

Vessels must remain afloat at all times when berthed.

Patrick East Swanson Dock: Port side berthing is preferred.

Charts and publications

Aus 143. Admiralty Pilot NP14, NP286(4).

Standard messages

Note: To be lodged at Customs Marine Centre, with a copy of the Crew List, 48 hours prior to the vessel's arrival.

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Notice of readiness

NOR usually tendered as per each vessel's applicable Charter Party terms.

Documents

Form DUKC can be downloaded from the Ports Victoria website.

For further information refer to the Country section.

Health

Radio Pratique application: Send answers to Request For Pratique (health) Form to agent, to be passed onto Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates issued.

Customs and immigration

The Australian Customs Services acts on behalf of the Department of Immigration for everyday matters concerning vessel's crew and passengers in the port of Melbourne. Crew may come ashore providing the crew members carry some form of ID, usually a company ID or photocopy of Passport (preferably with photo) and that primary identification documents (Passport or Seaman's Book) are kept onboard the vessel, (usually left with the Master). Customs allow one bottle of alcohol and one carton of cigarettes in each crew member's cabin, the remainder of such stores onboard will be kept in bonded store. The penalty for non-compliance is forfeiture of the goods.

For full details please refer to the Country section.

Flags

National flag of Australia, single letter code flags "G" and "H" where appropriate.

Notices and regulations

Dangerous goods: Notification is needed 48 hours before arrival to transport or handle dangerous cargoes or oils or bunker in the port.

Bunkering: All bunkering procedures are subject to inspection. The vessel's agent arranging the bunkering must inform the vessel's Master to notify Port Bunker Inspector (Tel: +61 3 96818044, 24hrs), 1 hour prior to the bunkering operation so that an inspection can be undertaken.

Hot Work: Before any hot work can be undertaken within the port a permit application must be obtained from the Port of Melbourne Corporation's Health and Safety Department. Hot work includes welding, thermal or oxygen cutting or heating and other related heat producing or spark producing operations.

Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean 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 Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

Contact person: The Secretary.

Address: GPO Box 594, Canberra ACT 2601 Australia.

Tel: +61 2 6274 7114.

Fax: +61 2 6274 7994.

Mob: +61 0417 273 185.

24 hour contact: Office of Transport Security Operations Centre.

Tel: +61 2 6274 8187.

Fax: +61 2 6274 6089.

Email: [email protected]

ISPS Compliance: ISPS compliance is 100% for Australian ports, Australian port facilities and Australian flagged ships.

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

Repairs

Most types available.

Dry docks

BAE Shipyard servicing repairs, conversions and shipbuilding constructions for commercial and naval fleet.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available.

Stores: Available.

Medical

The Alfred Hospital, 8.2km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Melbourne AIrport, 25.4km.

Airport facilities: All facilities available.

Nearest railway: Spencer Street Terminal.

Working hours

Port: Normally 0001-0730hrs, 0730-1430hrs and 1430-2130hrs.

Patrick East Swanson Dock: 0700-1500hrs, 1500-2300hrs, 2300-0700hrs.

Stevedore Labour providers in the port of Melbourne are DP World and Toll Stevedores Capital Stevedores and Patrick Stevedores. For example Patrick Stevedores require weekday labour to be ordered by 0930hrs the previous day, weekend labour to be ordered by 0930hrs Fri.

Where it is

Melbourne is situated in SE Australia, in the State of Victoria, at the N end of Port Phillip Bay.

The port

The main port area of Melbourne is approx 35nm NE from the entrance to Port Phillip Bay at Point Lonsdale. The bay is nearly surrounded by shoreline, except for this 2nm wide opening.

The port has facilities for most cargoes and is an important transport link for Bass Strait and Tasmania. The container facilities at Swanson Dock have ensured Melbourne's position as one of Australia's prime container ports.

Melbourne has 41 commercial berths including 2 modern purpose built four berth international container terminals.

Multipurpose berths handle a number of cargoes including timber and motor vehicles. There are also specialised berths for dry cargoes, including cement, grain, sugar and gypsum, and facilities for a variety of liquid cargoes. There are also specialised cruise ship berths.

Bunkers, water and provisions are available throughout the port.

Traffic

Approx 114,000,000t of cargo, 3,400,000TEU, 3,000 vessels and 300,000 passengers handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Melbourne?

Pilotage company: Port Phillip Sea Pilots Pty Ltd.

What time zone is Melbourne in?

Local time at Melbourne is UTC+11. Back to UTC+10 on 3 Apr 2027. Clocks go to UTC+11 on 2 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Melbourne?

The deepest berth listed is at Williamstown Terminal: 14.90 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Melbourne?

1000 to 1015.

Which load line zone is Melbourne in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Melbourne?

Port State Control at Melbourne: Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Melbourne?

The UN/LOCODE of Melbourne is AUMEL.

What crews who called at Melbourne 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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