PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Port Giles
Pilot
updated Mar 2024- Port Giles pilot boarding Pilot boards35°01.3′S 137°49.2′E
Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels exceeding LOA 35m unless exempt. The boarding ground is situated 2.5nm E of the seaward end of Port Giles jetty.
Pilot VHF Ch 16 and 12, callsign, "Port Giles". Once on board, the pilot will discuss a passage plan with the vessel master, review the vessel's pilot card and exchange pilot/master information.
Vessels should send request for pilot through Harbour Master at Adelaide 24 hours in advance and confirm ETA 4 hours in advance. Continuous listening watch on VHF Ch 12 should be maintained by vessels whilst within the port limits.
Pilot boards in position at 35°01.30'S., 137°49.16'E (2.5nm E of Port Giles jetty).
Key data
updated Jan 2021Size limits
LOA 230m, beam 32.2m, max draught 13.5m, 82,580DWT.
Water density
1027.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
MHWS 2.0m, MHWN 1.2m, MLWN 1.13m, MLWS 0.37m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Giles Terminal | 13.50 m | 230 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Mar 2024Approach
Port Giles is approached from a position N of the Tapley Shoal Light, through a charted preferred route in the MacDonnell Sound. Depth in approaches 13.5m CD.
Port limits
Port limits at a point HW mark 1nm S of the intersection of the centre lines of the Port Giles Jetty with HW mark; then a line bearing due E from HW mark 3nm; then line bearing due N for 2nm; then line bearing due W to HW mark; then S'ly along HW mark to the point of commencement.
Traffic schemes and VTS
Scheduling of vessel traffic is provided by CSO/MT (Central and Regional). The service is provided throughout normal business hours as well as weekends and public holidays. All other instances the Communications Tower must be contacted.
Anchorages
Macdonnell Sound Anchorage, (35°01.7'S., 137°50.6'E), depth 15.6m.
Quarantine anchorage is a rectangular area, length 2.0nm in an E/W direction, width 1.0nm, with its centre approx 3.7nm ESE of Port Giles jetty.
Restrictions
The depth in the approach channels is 11.6m below CD.
Berthing can only take place in daylight on slack tide, sailing day or night.
Mooring
Vessels exceeding the maximum dimensions given may be handled with permission of Flinders Ports. The GMMO and duty pilot are at the discretion to decide and may be restricted to HW, additional tugs, daylight only, minimum cross currents and a maximum of 15kts wind speed.
Berthing: One line launch is required whilst the vessel is berthing alongside. In the event that the approach channel has limited manoeuvrability and/or visibility then a launch may be required. Arrangements may be made in advance.
Charts and publications
Aus 125, 345, 444, 780, BA 1762. Admiralty List of Lights Vol "K". Admiralty Pilot NP13, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Mar 2024ETA and pre-arrival notices
The vessel's ETA should be advised to the agent 72, 48, 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival.
The vessel's ETA at the pilot station must be given to the Harbour Master via radio, 24 and 4 hours prior to arrival, with details of the ship's arrival draught.
Communications
Flinders Port Signal Station contact info
Telephone: +61 8 8447 0611
Facsimile: +61 0 8 8447 0606
VHF: Ch 06, 08, 12, 13, 16, 67
Call Sign: "Adelaide VTS"
Email: [email protected]
Flinders Ports Communication Tower contact info
VHF 16, 12
Call Sign: "Port Giles Port Control"
Port Manager contact info
Telephone: +61 8 8632 1455
All radio communication within the port should be conducted in standard marine navigation vocabulary and should be preceded by the identification of the channel the operator is using.
Coast radio, "VIM", Melbourne Radio, Inmarsat communication is available.
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.
unquote
Notice of readiness
According to charter party, NOR should be tendered at the pilot station or alongside.
Health
If a vessel is making the first entry to Australia, pratique is carried out at Semaphore anchorage, Port Adelaide.
Free pratique should be applied for by radio.
Customs and immigration
Customs and Immigration Officers are available from Wallaroo or Adelaide.
Inspections
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
Port services
updated Mar 2024Repairs
Vessels must inform Flinders Ports and request permission to carry out diving activities. Vessels must signal when divers are working.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available. Rate of flow 6-8tph. International ship-to-shore connection available.
Bunkering: DO available by road tanker.
Provisions: Available from Adelaide.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Southern Yorke Peninsula Health Service (Yorketown) (15km), The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (71.45km) and Royal Adelaide Hospital (75.5km).
Transport
Nearest airport: Adelaide Airport (70km).
Working hours
Conventional vessels 0800-2200hrs, self trimming vessels 0800-2300hrs. Overtime is possible for 1 hour to complete vessel including Sat, Sun and public holidays.
About Port Giles
updated Mar 2024Where it is
Port Giles is situated on the E side of the Yorke Peninsula, 217km by road from Adelaide, Australia.
The port
Port Giles, operated by Flinders Ports, is used to export grain and seeds from the lower section of the peninsula. The port was established in 1970 and recent dredging has increased the grain berth depth to 14.7m LAT.
Principal commodities handled: Barley and wheat.
Traffic
Approx 860,000t of cargo, 685,000t of grain and 28 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Port Giles
Where does the pilot board at Port Giles?
The pilot boards at Port Giles pilot boarding, 35°01.3′S 137°49.2′E.
What time zone is Port Giles in?
Local time at Port Giles is UTC+10:30. Back to UTC+9:30 on 3 Apr 2027. Clocks go to UTC+10:30 on 2 Oct 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Port Giles?
The deepest berth listed is at Port Giles Terminal: 13.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Port Giles?
1027.
Which load line zone is Port Giles in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Port Giles?
Port State Control at Port Giles: Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Giles?
The UN/LOCODE of Port Giles is AUPGI.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Port Giles 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.