Port Hedland

1. Port Hedland PBG +2NM (Foxtrot Approach) Pilot boards20°08.0′S 118°33.0′E
2. Port Hedland Pilot Boarding Ground (PBG) Pilot boards20°10.0′S 118°33.0′E
3. Port Hedland pilot boarding Pilot boards20°12.5′S 118°35.6′E

Size limits

Max LOA 340m, draught 18.6m, beam 60.0m, 320,000DWT

Water density

1026.

Load line zone

South Indian Ocean Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical May 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Apr 30.

Tides

Port Hedland tidal movements are predominantly semi-diurnal. Wind conditions are generally moderate, mainly affecting surface currents only. However, the effect of wind depends on its direction and duration. Wave action is relatively calm, typically less than 1.0m swell. However, during cyclone season, which occurs from 1st Nov. to 30th Apr. extreme winds, waves and storm surges occur.

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

Approach

The turning basin in the Inner Harbour is dredged to 14.0m. The perimeter of the turning basin is marked by buoys which exhibit a flashing yellow light at night. The channel is marked by beacons which are set back 23m from the toe line of the dredged channel. Leading lights are established to assist with navigation in a number of channel sections.

From the departure basin to Hunt Point Beacon (No 47) the channel has a large bend for most of its length, involving vessels turning through an angle of some 70°. The channel width is generally greater than 300m, narrowing to 183m in the Newman and Goldsworthy straights and 240m at Hunt Point. Depths up to Hunt Point are 14.6m.

The current pattern is complex but on the flood tide a pronounced set to the western bank is experienced.

From Hunt Point to Beacon Nos 36/37 is a bend involving a single curve with a radius of 2,540m. Depths of 14.3m LAT are available in this area. Channel widths are up to 240m and currents generally follow the line of the channel.

From Beacon Nos 36/37 to Beacon Nos 30/31 the channel section is known as the Goldsworthy Straight. The depths in this section are 14.4m CD and the channel width is 193m. In the section closest to Beacons No 36/37 the current is parallel to the channel. In the northern half of the section, the current on the flood tends to set SE'ly and NW'ly on the ebb.

The section between Beacons 30/31 and 19/20 is known as the Newman Straight and depths are 14.4-14.6m CD with widths varying from 183m to 229m. The current again sets SE'ly and NW'ly. From Beacon Nos 19/20 to the end of the channel at Beacon Nos 15/16 the depth is 14.6m CD with a width of 220m.

The Outer Channel is outside port limits but within the pilotage area. The width of the channel varies from 250m at Beacons C13/C14 to 470m at Beacons C1/C2 and is well marked by 13 beacons.

Drying coral ledges covered with a thin layer of sand extend from the shoreline near the harbour entrance, for a distance of up to 0.75nm. To seaward of these ledges there are some detached sand banks extending up to 1.5nm. A spoil bank extends seaward from the foreshore and is situated to the E of the dredged channel. It dries for most of its length, acting as a breakwater during E'ly winds.

Port limits

The port is defined as the area of water within a radius of 10nm off Hunt Point Beacon. The Inner Harbour commences from a line drawn between Hunt Point Beacon (No 47) and Airey Point Beacon (No 46).

Traffic schemes and VTS

Separate inward and outward routes exist in the approaches to Port Hedland.

A VTS is in operation on VHF Ch 16 for the control of shipping.

Vessels inbound should contact Shipping Control Tower on VHF for details of movements of Vessels Outbound and should also report at the beginning of the recommended inward passage track in position 19°56.4'S 118°27.8'E.

Vessels navigating the buoyed approach channel should maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF Ch 16.

Radar assistance: Vessel's bearing and distance from the control tower is given on request (max range 40nm).

Anchorages

Vessels are advised of their Designated Anchorage position prior to reaching the First Reporting Point (FRP) (located 19° 57.210'S 118° 28.500'E) by the on duty Vessel Tracking Service Operator (VTSO). The Designated Anchorages are located on both the W and E side of the marked channel and vessels are required to drop their anchors as close as possible to their designated position. Anchored vessels are not to change their positions without prior approval form the Shipping Control Tower. The Tower is to be notified immediately if anchors drag or vessels have difficulty in maintaining their designated positions.

When vessels are required to anchor they should do so clear of the main channel but inside port limits. The holding ground is reported as being good on both eastern and western sides of the channel. Vessels should not anchor in the designated spoil ground dumping areas or in the prohibited anchorage area as indicated on AUS charts 52 and 53.

Anchorage can be obtained 2nm E of No 16 Light Beacon, 20°10.0'S 118°31.0'E, near the pilot boarding place. The bottom is sandy and the holding ground is good.

Deep draught vessels: To provide safe UKC for deep draught vessels, during extreme spring tidal ranges, vessels of more than 9.5m draught are permitted to anchor N of the pilot boarding place, within the 15m depth contour, but not N of a line drawn E from "C10" Light Beacon, 20°06.0'S 118°28.0'E.

Prohibited anchorage: Lie within the areas between Spoil Ground Lightbuoy (special), 20°13.0'S 118°34.0'E and the dredged channel, also in the spoil grounds centred 1.25nm ENE and 4nm N respectively of this lightbuoy.

Channel escape areas: Prohibited anchorages also lie within channel escape areas Nos 1E and 1W, lying on either side of the dredged channel, centred 0.7nm N and NW respectively, of No 16 Light Beacon, 20°10.0'S 118°31.0'E and the channel escape area No 2, lying W of the dredged channel, centred 4.5nm SSW of Port Hedland approach "C1" Light Beacon, 20°00.0'S 119°26.0'E.

Restrictions

All berths are subject to siltation. Available depths alongside are published regularly in Australian Notices to Mariners or can be found on the Port Hedland website http://www.phpa.com.au

Departure restrictions: Vessels less than LOA 260m and 100,000DWT may depart at any time.

Flood Tide: All vessels may sail on the flood tide.

Ebb tide: Vessels up to 180,000DWT may sail on ebb tides up to a range of 6m, day or night and on ebb tides of greater than 6m range once the tide has fallen to a height of 3.2m.

Vessels greater than 180,000DWT may sail on ebb tides with a range of up to 3.5m.

Local magnetic anomaly: Local deflection of the compass is reported to occur E of the approach channel, about 5nm N of Cooke Point (20°18'S 118°38'E).

The Master of any vessel berthed within Port Hedland Harbour shall not, other than testing engines prior to departure, allow a propeller to be worked without prior approval and clearance from the Shipping Control Tower (Harbour Master). If approval has been provided to do so, prior to conducting the test the Master must visually confirm that the water areas by the vessel are clear of any obstructions such as small craft or persons, and notify the Masters of vessels at adjacent berths of the intention to start the propeller.

Life Boat Drills: Approval should be sought prior to these from the Shipping Control Tower, VHF Ch12.

The computer program also maintains the min UKC at each of the channel control points if the vessel is 15% faster or 20% slower than the above transit times.

This is required because it is not necessarily known at departure whether a vessel will be a "fast" or a "slow" vessel. The above lower and upper bounds on transit times were derived from the analysis of actual transit times for large vessels departing Port Hedland over a 3 year period and is an ongoing analysis.

Double Shuffles: Means a vessel manoeuvre requiring an incoming vessel to enter the Inner Harbour prior to the departure from the berth of the vessel it is replacing. No double shuffle permitted for NPD or AP3 and there are restrictions applying to NPC and AP2. Double shuffle permitted at all other berths.

Tugs

Two companies now operate tug services in the Port.

Pilbara Marine, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortescue Metals Group, use new 32m ART 85-32W rotor tugs for operations at Port Hedland. The tugs feature a 'Rotor Tug' propulsion system with three azimuth thrusters to deliver the full 85 tons of bollard pull over both the bow and the stern and 65% from amidships, which delivers additional benefits regarding maneuverability, braking, and engine and winch redundancy. Fortescue now have a fleet of eight, managed by KOTUG.

BHP Billiton (Towage Services) Pty Ltd has a non-exclusive licence for towage services at the Port and operates 18 tugs. The Fleet includes 11 Rotor Tugs with Bollard Pull of up to 85 tons and 7 ASD tugs. The propulsion system of these tugs makes them particularly suitable for working with the very large vessels which call at the port.

Mooring

Masters should ensure their mooring lines are properly attended to at all times because of the tidal range and the movement of large vessels within the port.

Generally priority is given to iron ore vessels.

Note: Wire ropes are no longer acceptable at the port.

There is a swinging basin within the port with a maintained depth of 14m.

Charts and publications

AUS53, 326, Admiralty Pilot NP13, NP286(4).

US74485, 74018. US Sailing Directions No 175 (North, West and South Coasts of Australia).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessel's ETA should be sent 8 day, 96, 48, 24 and 2 hours in advance.

Inbound vessels should contact Shipping Control Tower on VHF for details of movements of outbound vessels and should also report at the beginning of the recommended inward passage track, in position 19°56.37'S 118°27.77'E.

Vessels navigating the buoyed approach channel should maintain a continuous watch on VHF Ch 16.

Tankers: Prior notification of a Tanker's arrival/berthing draught is required by PHPA Ship Schedulers to ensure that a minimum of 3m under keel clearance (UKC) is maintained during the vessels transit through the 2E and 3E Sarus Towers. In addition, the vessels berthing draught will also determine the entry point of the channel and window of opportunity for berthing, paying particular regard to Tidal Movements and Under Keel Clearance required during the transit to/from the berth.

Communications

Port Hedland's Vessel Traffic Services Centre (VTSC) is the port's main communications centre and is operational 24hrs a day, seven days a week (except if closed due to cyclone). The VTSC maintains a continuous listening watch on all channels listed in the below table (except VHF Ch88) and all VHF communications are recorded.

Vessels are to establish communications with "Port Hedland VTS" prior to arrival at the First Reporting Point (19° 57.210'S 118° 28.500'E) and are not to move within VTS area unless satisfactory two-way communications have been established and maintained.

Upon arrival and within VTS area, all vessels must maintain a listening watch on VHF Chs12 and 16 at all times. VHF channels identified in the below table are registered port working channels and must not be used for inter-ship communications.

To ensure efficient communications are maintained, Port Hedland VTS will advise vessels to monitor channels specific to operations as and when required.

Standard messages

Note: To be lodged at Customs Marine Centre, with a copy of the Crew List, 96 hours prior to the vessel's arrival.

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Notice of readiness

Accepted when vessel anchors.

Documents

Details of Online Berth Application can be found on the Pilbara Ports website: www.ww.pilbaraports.com.au/Port-of-Port-Hedland/Port-operations/Berth-application

For full details of pre-arrival and documentation requirements see Country section.

Health

If the answers to the above are acceptable, "approval to berth" or "radio pratique" will be granted.

Vessels from overseas which do not submit health reports must anchor at the Quarantine Line and await Quarantine clearance. Until clearance is received, no persons other than the pilot, Port Health officials and Customs and Excise Officers will be allowed to embark or disembark. Until cleared, vessels must show the appropriate day or night quarantine signals.

Whilst alongside in Port Hedland rat guards must be placed on all lines.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates can be issued.

Customs and immigration

Port Hedland is an official port of entry.

The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service requires the Master/Owner/Operator of a ship to report their impending arrival and all crew and passengers on board no less than 96 hours prior to the vessel's estimated arrival. This is to be notified using the Customs Form 13 - 'Ship Pre-Arrival Report' and the Form 3B - Crew Report and Forms 2A and 2B - Passengers Report.

At these times a vessel must also report its arrival using the Customs Integrated Cargo System (ICS). Further information on this can be found on the Australian Customs website http://www.customs.gov.au

Deserters: Masters are to inform the Customs Boarding Officer or agent at the time of the vessel's departure if any members are absent without leave from the vessel. This applies even if the vessel is continuing on to an Australian port. Customs require that all crew members identity documents be held by the Master at all times whilst in Australian waters. The Master will be required to complete a declaration as to the crew member's absence. Customs may also examine the absent crew member's personal effects.

Repatriation and hospitalisation: No crew member may be signed off any vessel trading between Australian ports and overseas ports without prior permission of the Sub Collector of Customs.

Agents will be required to sign maintenance guarantees covering crew members landed for hospital treatment and repatriation.

Crew members may be hospitalised without Customs permission if a medical emergency arises. Customs must be informed of this as soon as possible after hospitalisation. If a crew member does not rejoin a vessel on departure, procedures will be identical to repatriation.

Stowaways: Cases of attempted stowaway have occurred. Masters should take all necessary care and precautions to prevent stowaways. No unauthorised person should be allowed aboard the vessel.

Any stowaways onboard on arrival should be reported to the Customs Boarding Officer to prevent their unauthorised landing. It should be noted that all responsibility for the repatriation of stowaways is to the account of the vessel concerned.

Quarantine: Radio pratique may be available on request.

Flags

The Shipping Control Tower displays no visual signals. Vessels should display appropriate flags in accordance with the International Code of Signals.

Notices and regulations

Where a vessel's tonnage falls between any of the figures above, Masters are urged to interpolate when calculating draughts.

All vessels should advise their intended arrival draught to the Harbour Master 24 hours prior to arrival. Vessels which do not meet these min draught requirements may have their berthing delayed. Vessels which have difficulty in meeting the above draughts should notify the Harbour Master accordingly.

Vessels over 100,000DWT may be instructed to vary their draughts from the above prior to berthing because of tidal conditions which may affect airdraught under the ship loaders.

Explosives regulations: Port Hedland Port Authority regulations concerning the "Regulation of Ships, Handling of Cargo, Inflammable Liquids and Oils, Noxious, Dangerous and Inflammable Goods and Explosives" are obtainable from the Port Authority.

It is a requirement of the Port Authority that a copy of these regulations be displayed on each vessel carrying inflammable, noxious, dangerous and explosive goods.

Deep draught vessels which need to use the main fairway inwards must obtain permission from Shipping Control before arrival at C1 and C2 Light Beacon.

Other vessels not constrained by draught should follow the recommended inward passage route, situated E of the dredged channel.

Vessels over LOA 315m are berthed during daylight hours only.

Inbound vessels should avoid impending outbound vessels constrained by their draught, such action could be taken by reducing speed to avoid meeting outbound vessels in restrictive areas.

Under keel clearance (UKC): The minimum under keel clearance required is from 2.1-3.7m, dependent upon swell, at Port Hedland Approach C1 Light Beacon and 1.2m in the inner harbour.

Maximum permitted departure draught: A computer programme (DUKC) determines the maximum permitted departure draught which takes into account a number of factors including, amongst others, channel depths, height of tide, sea state, under keel clearance, passage time from inner harbour to C1 Light Beacon.

The maximum loading draughts for vessels sailing with draught of 14m or more are required to provide the Shipping Control Tower specific DUKC data as soon as possible after berthing and sailing draught will be determined by the Port Authority at 12 hour to departure and will not be varied in this period.

Access to the wharves at Finucane Island and Anderson Point is strictly prohibited for the crews of vessels using the berths at these locations. A launch is available for use as a ferry.

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

The trailing suction hopper dredger Juan Sebastián de Elcano is actively engaged in the Port Hedland maintenance dredging campaign 2024, clearing silt and other debris to preserve the port's navigability. The dredging operations starts from the inner harbour, shipping channel, areas adjacent to the shipping channel and designated spoil grounds.

Comprehensive repairs can be completed. Radar, radio and other electronic servicing and repairs are available. Welding, engineering, fitting and turning, electrical, plumbing, refrigeration and air conditioning, diving and building services are located in close proximity to the port.

Dry docks

There are no drydock facilities available in the port.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at berths PH1, PH2 and PH3 at a rate of 50tph. Water (potable or otherwise) is not available at PH4 or any private berths within the port.

Bunkering: Bunkering of HFO is not available at any berth. Diesel oil is only available at berths PH1 to PH3 via a 203mm bunkering line. Small quantities may be provided by road tanker on request from Reliance Petroleum.

Stores: Supplies of food, liquor, cigarettes, etc, are readily available in the town. Chandlers will arrange to meet vessels on arrival but early advice to the ship's agent of a vessel's requirements is desirable.

Medical

Medical:

Kenetic Health, South Hedland: Tel: +61 8 9172 5911

Port Hedland Medical Centre, Port Hedland: Tel: +61 8 9173 3733

Hospital:

Hospital, South Hedland: Tel: +61 8 9174 1000

Dental:

Port Hedland Dental Surgery: Tel: +61 8 9173 5838

Hedland Dental Care: Tel: +61 1800 23 230

Medical attention may be arranged through the Agent. No person will be attended unless he is provided with a letter from the Master authorising such treatment. All costs incurred will be charged to the vessel.

Crew change

Available and is arranged through vessel's agent.

Transport

Access to the wharves at Finucane Island and Anderson Point is strictly prohibited for ship's personnel. A launch service is available to ferry personnel from outboard gangway of vessels to the Main Street Jetty (MSJ), providing access to the town and facilities. Vessels should arrange for crew ferry services through their respective Agents. A free bus service runs to and from each land-backed wharf to the Seafarers' Centre.

Nearest airport: Port Hedland International, 12km.

Airport facilities: Crew change and air freight facilities.

Nearest railway: No passenger or freight railway only private lines (ore). Nearest rail station is at Geraldton, 1,368km. No passenger or freight railway only private lines available.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Port Hedland is situated on the NW coast of Western Australia.

The port

Port Hedland is Australia's largest export port in terms of annual throughput and the largest bulk minerals port in the world. The port services the mineral rich E Pilbara region of W Australia and its main export is iron ore.

As of July 2014, Dampier and Port Hedland combined their Port Authorities to form Pilbara Ports Authority.

Traffic

Approx 584,000,000t of cargo, including 575,000,000t of Iron Ore, and 3,000 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Port Hedland?

The pilot boards at Port Hedland PBG +2NM (Foxtrot Approach), 20°08.0′S 118°33.0′E. Port Hedland has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Port Hedland in?

Local time at Port Hedland is UTC+8. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Port Hedland?

The deepest berth listed is at Fortescue Metals Group - Herb Elliott Port: 18.60 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Port Hedland?

1026.

Which load line zone is Port Hedland in?

South Indian Ocean Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical May 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Apr 30.

Who carries out Port State Control at Port Hedland?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Hedland?

The UN/LOCODE of Port Hedland is AUPHE.

What crews who called at Port Hedland 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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