PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Merauke
Pilot
updated May 2010- Merauke pilot boarding place Pilot boards08°30.0′S 140°20.0′E
Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 150GT. The Harbour Master acts as pilot and boards in the vicinity of the Fairway Lightbuoy (08°30.0'S 140°20.0'E). Pilotage is compulsory within the limits of the roads (08°30.5'S 140°30.5'E) and the river banks. However it is not uncommon for vessels to ground on the bar and frequent fixes should be taken and a vigilant echo sounding watch maintained.
Key data
updated Jun 2026Size limits
Town jetty: LOA 135.7m, beam 24m and 10,819DWT.
Oil berth: LOA 91m,beam 20m, draught 6.0m and 5,791DWT.
Tides
Tidal Streams: From mid Mar to mid Apr the outgoing stream has been observed to flow for 7 hours at the mouth of the Sungai Merauke at a rate of 2kts. The incoming stream for 5 hours at 1kt. During Nov and Dec the stream runs in the direction of the coast, NW for 7 hours and SE for 5 hours. After heavy rains a flow of 5kts has been observed.
Temperature: The average monthly temperature is 26°C.
Waves: The wave height is 2m in the estuary, calm in the channel.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBM Merauke Terminal | 6.00 m | 91 m | 1 |
| Merauke Terminal | — | 136 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jun 2026Approach
The channel has a length of 6nm, min width 420m, min depth 1.5m LWS, max depth 2.7m LWS, with bottom of mud and sand.
Directions for Merauke Roads: Steer for Merauke Light structure, which is not easily seen against the dark background, bearing 066° but keeping in deep water until the pilot is embarked. No further directions can be given because of changes on the bar and the shifting of buoys.
Leading lights: Front light (white triangle, point up) 08°27.6'S 140°21.6'E. Rear light (white triangle, point down) 0.25nm NE of the front. (These lights are only shown when vessels are expected).
On the alignment (035°) the track leads NE over the inner bar into Sungai Merauke, passing:
NW of a light beacon (green metal framework structure, 10m in height, 3,25nm WSW (This beacon has been reported destroyed)
SE of a light beacon (red metal framework structure, 10m in height) 3,25nm W,
SE of a beacon (can topmark ) 3nm W.
SE of a light beacon (red metal framework structure, 10m in height) 2.5nm W,
NW of a light beacon (green metal framework structure, 10m in height) 2nm NNW and NW of a beacon (starboard hand), standing close W of Tanjung Haram at the S entrance to the river.
The entrance to Merauke River can be difficult to distinguish against the uniform jungle background and it is therefore advisable to rely on celestial navigation fixing until the inner buoy and leading light beacons are identified. These leading marks, although difficult to distinguish against the dark background, and an aero radio beacon tower 1.25nm ESE of Tanjung Haram, are the only good fixing marks. However care is necessary to avoid confusing this tower with others standing near the town. The sandbank off Tanjung Haram has extended W into the channel and it is necessary to keep to the W of the leading line when passing the point. Merauke River is navigable for a distance of 60nm by vessels of 3.2m draught and of approx 60m in length. The port has a basin with a min area of 740,800m² and depths from 3.0m to 7.0m.
Port limits
Between the parallels of 08°31.5'S and the N entrance of the river, the meridian of 140°16.5'E and a position 1.5nm upriver from the town jetty.
Anchorages
Outer anchorage: Anchorage may be obtained in the vicinity of the Fairways Lightbuoys (08°35'S 140°11'E) in depths of 10.0m, sand and stone, noting on approach a dangerous wreck marked by a lightbuoy (port hand) lying 3.75nm WNW of the Fairway Lightbuoy.
Anchorage area:
08°87.00'S 140°15.00'E
08°28.09'S 140°23.30'E
Anchorage may be obtained in front of Sewa Peninsula, in a depth of 6.0-7.0m.
Restrictions
Berthing and unberthing is carried out during daylight hours only.
Tugs
The port has one tug for berthing assistance
Charts and publications
BA 3799. Admiralty Pilot NP35, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Mar 2020ETA and pre-arrival notices
Notifications should be sent to the port 6 hours prior to arrival and 3 hours prior to departure.
Communications
Radio: Coast Radio Station: Merauke Radio, callsign "PKY 5" and "8 AT 5", frequency 10225kHz, 9925kHz and 6926kHz.
VHF: Merauke Radio: Ch 16, 10, 11, 12, 20, 21 and 26. Callsign "PKY 5".
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: Directorate of Marine Safety and Seafarers, Directorate General of Sea Communications.
Position: Director
Address: Karya Building, 12th Floor, JI Merdeka Barat 8, Jakarta Pusat 10110, Indonesia.
Tel: +62 21 350 5705.
Fax: +62 21 350 5705.
Mob: +62 811 960640.
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.
ISPS compliance: The US Coast Guard has determined (12/2012) that the Republic of Indonesia is now maintaining effective anti-terrorism measures in their ports. The Republic of Indonesia is removed from the list of the Countries Affected in paragraph B of the Port Security Advisory. Therefore, actions required in paragraphs C and D of this Port Security Advisory are no longer required for vessels that arrive in the United States after visiting ports in the Republic of Indonesia.
In a further effort to combat piracy, the Indonesian Government are allocating Piracy Anchor Safe Zones within some of their ports. These will be patrolled by the Indonesian Marine Police. Individual Port Authorities should be contacted about the latest information concerning these.
Port services
updated Mar 2020Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at Merauke berths 25tph.
Bunkering: Not available.
Medical
Merauker General Hospital, 0.45km and Port Doctor are available.
Transport
Nearest airport: Mopah International Airport, 6km.
Working hours
The port operates throughout 24 hours.
About Merauke
updated Jun 2026Where it is
Merauke is situated on the S coast of Irian Jaya, on the S bank of Merauke (Maro) River, approx 4nm from the estuary.
The port
Merauke, the capital of the S part of Irian Jaya, is a free port, open to foreign trade with the chief exports being copra, timber and crocodile hide. The port is mainly used by local traffic with a sizeable volume of local ferry passengers. There is an oil terminal approx 0.3nm further upriver.
The following cargoes are handled: Breakbulk, general cargo, container and Ro/Pax.
Traffic
Approx 50,000TEU handled annually.
Questions about Merauke
Where does the pilot board at Merauke?
The pilot boards at Merauke pilot boarding place, 08°30.0′S 140°20.0′E.
What time zone is Merauke in?
Local time at Merauke is UTC+9. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Merauke?
The deepest berth listed is at BBM Merauke Terminal: 6.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
Who carries out Port State Control at Merauke?
Port State Control at Merauke: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Merauke?
The UN/LOCODE of Merauke is IDMKQ.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Merauke 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.