Newcastle

1. Newcastle Pilot Boarding Ground Alpha Pilot boards32°57.8′S 151°51.8′E
2. Newcastle Pilot Boarding Ground Bravo Pilot boards32°59.0′S 151°52.3′E
3. Newcastle Pilot Boarding Ground Charlie Pilot boards32°55.8′S 151°52.3′E

Size limits

LOA 300m, beam 50m, 210,000DWT and draught 16.1m.

Water density

1000 to 1023.

Following periods of considerable rainfall in the Hunter catchment the average river density may fall below 1015 with a layering of fresh water at the surface.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 2.1m springs, 0.1m neaps. Current sets are generally less than 2kts except when river is in fresh where sets on the ebb tide may exceed 3kts.

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

Approach

The approach to the port from seaward is clear of off lying dangers except for one group of rock patches (32°53.8'S 151°50.9E).

The entrance to the harbour lies between 2 breakwaters, the outer sections of which are 460m apart, reduced to approx 430m abeam of Nobby's Head.

The entrance channel is splayed, providing a channel of 240m between the breakwaters, decreasing to 185m abeam of Nobby's Signal Station.

The entrance channel has been dredged to a depth of 17.7m from a position 1,220m seaward of the northern breakwater, there is a gradual transition depth to abeam of Nobby's Signal Station, where the channel depth becomes 15.2m. The remainder of the entrance channel from abeam of Nobby's Signal Station to the Pilot Station has a width of 185m with a uniform depth of 15.2m continuing through the Horseshoe and the Steelworks Channel. The Steelworks Channel is 180m wide.

The Swinging Basin is located at the northern end of the Steelworks Channel and has a diameter of 580m with a min depth of 12.8m.

The basin is entered from the Horseshoe via the Basin Cut which has a depth of 12.8m and a width of 122m. The basin is dredged to 12.8m.

Note: The port is subject to siltation from the Hunter River that requires a regular program of maintenance dredging. Depths are subject to constant change. The depths below are for guidance only and latest information should be obtained from the Harbour Master.

Reduced Depth Notice (19/03/13): Newcastle Port Authority advises that the main channel depth is revised to

14.3 metres. The normal channel depth at zero tide is 15.2m. Capesized vessels are expected to be restricted in their ability to load a full cargo until the area is restored to its design depth.

Intensive and targeted dredging and sweeping is underway to restore the depth in the Horseshoe. The area will be surveyed regularly and the channel depth will be revised in increments until it has been returned to its design depth.

Port limits

To seaward: a line radius 3.0nm from Nobby's Head Light House (32°55.1'S 151°47.9'E). Inner limits: Tourle Street Bridge (32°52.7'S 151°44.0'E) and Hexham Bridge (32°49.0'S 151°41.0'E) in the S and N arms respectively of Hunter River.

Traffic schemes and VTS

A VTS with radar surveillance is maintained at a port radio and signal station at Nobby's Head (32°55.0'S 151°48.0'E) for the control of movements of all sea-going vessels other than fishing boats. Participation is mandatory in the port limits.

Note: Nobby's Head Signal Station is equipped with radar (max range 64nm).

Anchorages

As of Feb 2010 no vessels will be permitted to anchor at the port for more than 48hrs prior to estimated loading time.

There are no recommended anchorages off the port for all weathers, however, good fair weather anchorage exist S of the pilot boarding ground, at a distance greater than 3.0nm from shore. Do not anchor on or close to the pilot boarding ground or on the restricted area shown on chart AUS207. Mariners are warned that "East Coast Lows" in the Tasman Sea can quickly generate significant swells that are sufficient to cause vessels to drag anchor or be unable to heave up the anchor. During periods of heavy swell the Harbour Master recommends that Masters weigh anchor and proceed seaward to drift until conditions improve.

Note: Vessels at anchor are not permitted to jettison any garbage or waste materials overboard.

A good anchor watch should be maintained and main engines should not be dismantled or immobilised in any way whilst at anchor. Weather conditions may deteriorate in a short period. During S'ly weather, sea and swell conditions become confused. Vessels at anchor should weigh and proceed to sea until the weather moderates.

Prohibited anchorage: Little Redhead Point (32°58.1'S 151°44.3'E) an area of 0.4nm radius is prohibited for anchoring, trawling and fishing.

Restricted area: Lies between bearings 057° from Northern Breakwater Head Light (32°54.8'S 151°47.9'E) and 127° from Southern Breakwater Head Light (0.3nm SE) out to the port limit. Vessels should not enter or anchor in this area unless so directed by the Harbour Master.

Restrictions

The maximum size conventional vessel acceptable for entry in the Port of Newcastle is LOA 300m, beam 50m.

The maximum size vessel acceptable for entry to The Basin area is LOA 265m, beam 35m.

The entrance to the port is subject to swell conditions and on an average of 3-5 days a year the port may be closed due to bad weather. Vessels are piloted day and night subject to the pilot code and depending on the wind conditions.

Vessels over LOA 290m are restricted to entering harbour in daylight only.

Vessels LOA 250-300m scheduled to enter at night are subject to low swell and wind conditions.

Minimum UKC: All vessels moving within the channels of the port shall have a min UKC of 10% of the vessels deepest draught.

Whilst occupying a berth within the port the UKC of the vessel shall not be less than 0.3m. It is the responsibility of the vessel's Master to ensure the above clearances are maintained.

Ballast condition: All vessels in ballast or part cargo condition, requiring a pilot and navigating within the port shall be ballasted and trimmed to ensure, where practicable, minimum draughts are ford 2% of LOA and aft 3% of LOA, that the propeller is fully immersed and total trim should not exceed 1% of LOA.

Vessels up to LOA 240m are generally handled in winds up to 35kts, vessels over 240m may not be handled in winds over 25kts. For vessels over LOA 250m, ballast condition is deemed not to exceed 11.0m deepest draught.

Stockton Bridge (32°53.1'S 151°47.2'E), a fixed span road bridge, crosses the N arm of the Hunter River between Kooragang Island and the Stockton peninsula. The navigation span of the bridge is located centrally between piers 11 and 12 where there is a navigable width of 60m between fenders and a vertical clearance of 30m.

Tourle Street Bridge (32°52.7'S 151°44.0'E) with a vertical clearance of 2.8m.

Speed limits of 8kts within the heads of the breakwaters and 6kts W of Pirate Point and in Stockton Channel N of Stockton Crossing are in force. In Basin Cut the speed limit is 4kts.

Tugs

Tugs are available and should be requested at least 2 hours before entry.

Mooring

In the Steelworks Channel and Kooragang area where vessels may surge from passing ships the standard mooring requirement is 4 headlines/sternlines: 2 breastlines; 2 back springs (16 lines in total). Vessels moored in the Steelworks Channel must take particular care to keep moorings tight at all times due to increased hydraulic interaction effects as large ships pass.

Vessels over LOA 170m tying up at the West Basin 3 (grain berth) are required to utilise a mooring buoy at the southern end of the berth. When tying up vessels LOA 200m or less are supplied with one mooring boat; those over LOA 200m are supplied with 2 mooring boats.

Charts and publications

Aus 207, 809. Other publications: List of Lights Vol "K"; Australian National Tide Tables. Admiralty Pilot NP15, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

The Crew Report (Form 3B) and the Ship Pre-Arrival Report (Form 13) must be lodged more than 96 hours prior to arrival.

Vessel Arrival System (VAS): This involves the port in tracking vessels by LRIT and AIS systems and calculating an estimated loading time for each vessel. This gives vessels the option of reducing speed for a timely arrival and also the port to reduce the number of vessels waiting at anchor. As of Feb 2010 no vessel may anchor at the port for more than 48hrs prior to the estimated loading time given by the port.

Note: The port (NPC) has implemented a variation to the issuing of NAT's for some vessel's (10/13).

If when the NAT would normally have been issued at 7 days from Newcastle, the Master's ETA is within 48 hours of the estimated time of loading as advised by the relevant terminal, the vessel will not be issued an NAT at this time.

The vessel will be required to make its best speed to 10nm from Newcastle where the NAT will be assigned at this time. This variation is in line with Rule 4.6 which states;

"4.6 If in relation to a vessel that has complied with Rule 3, NPC fails to:

(a) Notify a vessel of its 7 day Notified Arrival Time and its ETL in accordance with Rule 4.1; or

(b) Establish a vessel's Priority in the queue in accordance with rule 4.3.(unless one of the Rules in Part 7 applies).

Then the affected vessel may arrive at 10nm off the Port and notify NPC of its arrival as soon as possible. Having so notified NPC as its arrival time such a vessel with be allocated a position in the queue based in the actual time of its arrival at 10 nm off the Port and Rule 7 will not be applied to that vessel for arriving at this point."

This variation has been implemented due to the low queue environment that presently exists and due to observations that some vessels which would be loading on arrival have slowed and have not been available to load as initially scheduled.

Communications

VHF: Pilots: Ch 09, 06.

All shipping movements are controlled from Vessel Traffic Information Centre on Ch 09. Callsign "Newcastle Harbour", communications on Marine VHF Ch 06, 08, 09, 11, 72 and 77.

Note: VHF Ch 06, 08, 11 and 72 are port working channels and are not to be used for inter-ship communication.

Port: Tel: +61 2 4985 8222, Fax: +61 2 4926 4596.

Notice of readiness

In accordance with the terms of the Charter Party.

Health

Newcastle is a first port of entry; the quarantine line is drawn between the heads of the 2 breakwaters.

There is no quarantine anchorage for the port; vessels requesting pratique will usually be given permission to berth for examination alongside by the Quarantine Medical Officer, but no one may board or leave the vessel until free pratique is granted.

Customs and immigration

Section 64 of the Customs Act requires the Master to communicate to Customs an impending Arrival Report, Passenger and Crew Reports for his vessel not later than 96 hours prior to arrival at the port. From January 1st 2008 all sea crew will need a visa for Australia, see Country Section or www.immix.go.au/sea for details.

Notices and regulations

Operations Permits: NPC permits may be obtained through the ship's agent and are required before commencing the following operations:

Bunker permit required before any fuel or lub oil transfer operations.

Dangerous goods permit required before loading/discharge of dangerous goods.

Work permit required before any lifeboat drill, hot work, painting, immobilisation of engine, anchor handling or underwater operations.

Vessel crew working in cargo holds prior to and during coal loading should be authorised by terminal staff in advance.

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

Major repairs can be effected.

Slipways: Lifting capacity of 1,250t. Vessels up to LOA 60m, 11.0m beam, 3.5m draught and 1,000DWT can be accommodated.

Multiple yards are available for general repairs and maintenance.

Dry docks

Marine Services Precinct is approximately 8 Ha in size, allowing for commercial vessel access, providing ship repair services. This yard include the development and expansion of marine services in shipbuilding constructions, boat repair, storage and mooring.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all berths. Requires use of International Shore Connection.

Bunkers: Diesel and lube oil by road tanker.

Stores: Provisions are plentiful.

Medical

Lingard Private Hospital, 3.8km and John Hunter Hospital, 8km.

Crew change

Crew members are required at all times to carry the appropriate photo ID. Ships agents can prepare the necessary arrangements for this to occur.

Transport

Nearest airport: Newcastle Airport located at Williamtown, 26.5km.

Nearest railway: Newcastle Railway Station, approx 4km.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Newcastle is located 62nm N of Sydney at the entrance to the Hunter River.

The port

It is a major bulk export port. The harbour area covers 450ha and provides 6,000m of wharfage. In addition to coal and ore berths the port has facilities for handling containers, parcel bulk, general cargo vessels and tankers.

Imports: Alumina, cement, fertilisers, inorganic chemicals, petroleum coke, phosphate rock, steel and general cargo.

Exports: Aluminium, steaming coal, coking coal, grain, iron and steel, woodchips, zinc ore, mineral concentrates and general cargo. Newcastle Agri Terminal (NAT), the new grain facility at Dyke 2 Berth in the Carrington area, has now commenced operations.

Considering that coal is the main cargo handled at Newcastle, latterly the port has benefitted from the windfarm industry. Vestas V117-4.2 MW turbines blades, which arrived by ship at the port, are stored for several months before being transported almost 500Km by truck to the project site in Collector, located about halfway between Goulburn and Canberra.

Traffic

Approx 160,000,000t of cargo (including 144,000,000t of coal (given in revenue tons)), 800TEU and 2,100 vessels are handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Newcastle?

The pilot boards at Newcastle Pilot Boarding Ground Alpha, 32°57.8′S 151°51.8′E. Newcastle has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Newcastle in?

Local time at Newcastle 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 Newcastle?

The deepest berth listed is at Kooragang Precinct Terminal: 16.10 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Newcastle?

1000 to 1023. Following periods of considerable rainfall in the Hunter catchment the average river density may fall below 1015 with a layering of fresh water at the surface.

Which load line zone is Newcastle in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Newcastle?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Newcastle?

The UN/LOCODE of Newcastle is AUNTL.

What crews who called at Newcastle 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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