PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Napier
Pilot
updated Sep 2013- Napier Pilot Boarding Station No. 1 Pilot boards39°28.5′S 176°59.9′E
- Napier Pilot Boarding Station No. 2 Pilot boards39°24.5′S 176°59.4′E
The pilotage district comprises all port waters between the parallel of 39°25.0'S and 39°29.0'S, to the W of Long176°59.0'E. Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over LOA 40m.
Inbound vessels should contact Napier Pilot Control 1 hour prior to arrival on VHF Ch 16 for conformation of pilot boarding position ad time.
The pilot boards vessels less than 7.3m draught at Anchor Berth No 1, 2nm E of the breakwater and vessels drawing more than 7.3m at Anchor Berth No 2, 4nm NE of the breakwater unless instructed otherwise by Napier Harbour Control.
Pilot ladders: Pilots and officials embark and disembark on pilot ladders in accordance with New Zealand pilot ladder regulations. Ladders should be rigged 1.5m above water level with a lee from the swell.
Key data
updated Aug 2023Size limits
LOA 348m, draught 11.3m, beam 42.8m, 80,454DWT
Water density
1027.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Mean spring range 1.4m; mean neap range 1.3m. Rate is negligible.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Wharf | — | 294 m | 1 |
| Cassidy Quay | 11.30 m | 200 m | 1 |
| Higgins Wharf | 11.30 m | 348 m | 2 |
| Napier Container Terminal - Kirkpatrick Wharf | 11.00 m | 295 m | 2 |
| Herrick Wharf | 9.80 m | 219 m | 1 |
| Geddis Wharf | — | 150 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 May 2022Approach
From the N and S: Keep at least 5nm off any charted danger and then to the Pilot Station.
Vessels with a draught less than 7.3m approach the port S of South Pania Buoy at the southern end of Pania Reef. If draught is over 7.3m or LOA greater than 200m vessels approach N of North Pania Buoy to the N of Pania Reef and then down the W side of Pania Reef to the fairway. This channel is 300m in width increasing to 340m in width at the turn into the harbour. The outer fairway has a depth of 12.0m and the basin has a depth of 11.0m.
Port limits
Radius of 3.5nm from E Pier Green Light (39°28.8'S 176°53.7'E).
Anchorages
Anchor berths: Berth No 01 (39°27.1'S 176°58.9'E), depth 21.0m, fine sand and mud, approx 1.75nm ENE of Breakwater Harbour, on the alignment of Southern Leading Lights.
Berth No 02 (39°24.4'S 176°58.3'E), depth 21.0m, fine sand and mud, approx 4.75nm NE of Breakwater Harbour, on the alignment of Northern Leading Lights.
Quarantine anchorage is available at Anchor Berth No 01.
The anchorages are often affected by swell, which is heavy, even with offshore winds.
Napier Roads, situated NW of Breakwater Harbour and N of the Inner Harbour, is unsuitable as an anchorage because the sea breaks heavily there during N and E winds.
Restrictions
Vessels up to 10.0m draught can berth and sail at any state of the tide, movement for a vessel drawing more than 10.0m is dependent on the height of tide.
Maximum approach speed is 16kts and 5kts in the harbour.
Tugs
3 tugs available.
Mooring
Mooring arrangements for all vessels is 4 head/stern lines and 2 springs fore and aft.
Charts and publications
NZ 5612, 56. Admiralty Pilot NP51, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Sep 2013ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels should send ETA 5 days prior to arrival with updated ETA to be sent 24 hours prior to arrival. Vessels must give 2.25 hours notice of a change of a provisional arrival time to a new confirmed time. Final confirmation of arrival times (18.30-11.00hrs) are to be advised at 16.15hrs (Mon-Fri) or by 08.45hrs (Sat, Sun & public holidays).
Communications
VHF: Napier Harbour Control: Ch 16, 09, 12. Ch 12 available 24 hours.
Pilots and Tugs: Ch 16. Tel: +64 6 833 4471. Email: [email protected].
Standard messages
Agent/port company will advise pilot boarding time and berth details, port situation.
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 can be applied for between 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival.
Customs and immigration
Normal Customs/Immigration formalities apply. Visa, if required can be applied for on arrival.
Allowances for officers and crew: 200 cigarettes, 1 litre spirits, 750ml wine, there are cash fines and confiscation, for non compliance with these allowances.
Notices and regulations
Regional Council By Laws apply. Vessels must comply with ballast water discharge restrictions and be free from Asian Gypsy Moth.
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.
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
Port services
updated Oct 2018Repairs
Available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at all berths, rate 20m³/hr.
Bunkering: Fuel oil is available except quay at No 02 South, No 03 East.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Hawker's Bay Hospital, 22.2km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Napier Airport which also known as Hawke's Bay Airport located at Napier, 6.3km (domestic only).
Airport facilities: All facilities available.
Nearest railway: Railway on to wharf.
Working hours
Receiving and delivery, containers, Mon-Fri 0630-1830hrs, Sat 0630-1230hrs, break bulk, Mon-Fri 0700-1700hrs and Sat 0700-1200hrs.
About Napier
updated Dec 2025Where it is
Napier is located on the E side of North Island, on the SW coast of Hawke's Bay.
The port
Napier is an artificial harbour formed by a 1,500m breakwater on the E and N sides, with a breakwater and reclamation on the western side. The Port of Napier has 8 overseas berths. Direct road and rail links mean that the port of Napier is well placed to handle cargo from the South as well as the North Island.
Principal imports: Petroleum products, phosphate, sulphur, fertilisers, steel, cement, motor vehicles, machinery and general cargo.
Principal exports: Meat, wool, hides, tallow, timber, woodpulp, woodchips, logs, fruit, vegetables, sulphuric acid and general cargo.
Traffic
Approx. 5,000,000t of cargo, 230,000TEU , 500 vessels and 110,000 passengers are handled annually.
Questions about Napier
Where does the pilot board at Napier?
The pilot boards at Napier Pilot Boarding Station No. 1, 39°28.5′S 176°59.9′E. Napier has 2 pilot boarding places.
What time zone is Napier in?
Local time at Napier 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 Napier?
The deepest berth listed is at Cassidy Quay: 11.30 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Napier?
1027.
Which load line zone is Napier in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Napier?
Port State Control at Napier: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Napier?
The UN/LOCODE of Napier is NZNPE.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Napier 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.