Port Kembla

1. Port Kembla reporting point — E approach Pilot34°25.2′S 151°03.2′E
2. Port Kembla reporting point — S approach Pilot34°29.4′S 150°59.2′E
3. Port Kembla Inner Pilot Boarding Ground (A) Pilot boards34°25.2′S 150°56.8′E
4. Port Kembla Outer Pilot Boarding Ground (B) Pilot boards34°24.2′S 150°57.6′E
5. Port Kembla reporting point — N approach Pilot34°20.5′S 151°00.5′E

Size limits

LOA 300m, beam 50m, draught 16m, 209,869DWT.

Water density

Approx 1025, except in periods of very heavy rainfall.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

MHWS 1.6m; MLWS 0.3m.

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

Approach

Vessels are advised to check with the port as to latest depths. Masters of vessels are required to have minimum draughts of 2% of LOA forward and 3% of LOA aft. The propeller should also be fully immersed.

In windy conditions it is prudent to have the vessel ballasted as deeply as possible.

To allow for safe passage in the port, the Underkeel Clearance (UKC) for ships undertaking pilotage in Port Kembla is required to be not less than 1.25m.

Approaching from the S, pass 1nm E of Bass Island (1.5nm at night) and then approach Port Kembla from the N. The Deep Water Channel through the Five Islands Group should only be used by craft with local knowledge. On approach to the port at night speed must be reduced early as the lights of vessels at anchor are hard to distinguish against the many powerful lights ashore.

Minimum depth in approach channels to Inner/Outer Harbours is 15.2m.

Leading lights for the entrance to the Outer Harbour for use by deep draught vessels are in line bearing 213°. The narrow white sector of the front light, bearing between 212.5° and 213.5°, leads 0.5nm NW of Flinders Islet and between the breakwaters, width 305m and depth 16.7m (ISLW). The front light is exhibited throughout the day.

Note: There is a secondary set of leading lights for smaller vessels leading 207.7° into the harbour.

Leading lights for the entrance to the Inner Harbour are in line bearing 300.3°, leading from the Outer Harbour through a channel 160m wide between the 15m depth contours into Inner Harbour.

Leading lights for entering the Eastern basin are in line bearing 358°, leading midway between the bulk grain and bulk coal berth, width 260m.

Single way traffic, vessels must not pass in the entrance, outbound vessels have the right of way.

Port limits

The port limit has been altered to an arc of circle radius 2.17nm, centred on the NE Breakwater Light (34 27.91'S 150 54.81'E).

Traffic schemes and VTS

Vessels are not permitted to pass eachother in the entrance to the Outer Harbour. Outband vessels have right of way.

All shipping movements are controlled from the VTC on VHF Ch 11. All harbour movements are normally conducted on Ch 08. AIS and Metocean in operation.

The 5nm arc is centred on position 34°24'.70N 150°57'.10E

Vessels approaching or departing Port Kembla will be instructed to pass through one of the following reporting points, or to cross the 5nm arc at another point:

Reporting point S: For vessels approaching from the South, 34°29.41'N 150°59.22'E, Wollongong Lighthouse bearing 143° x 6.2nm.

Reporting point E: For vessels approaching from the East, 34°25.16'S 151°03.22'E, Wollongong Lighthouse bearing 097° x 6.2nm.

Reporting point N: For vessels approaching from the North, 34°20.50'S 151°00.46'E, Wollongong Lighthouse bearing 047° x 5.2nm.

Through Traffic: All vessels passing close inshore must seek clearance from Port Kembla using VHF Ch11 one hour prior to arrival at the 5mile arc. VTC will grant appropriate clearance to do so which may include entry and exit points, depending on the traffic situation at the time within the port limits.

Anchorages

The Port Corporation does not recommend anchoring close to the Port because of poor holding ground on the adjacent coastline to Port Kembla. Vessels may not anchor within the inward reporting limit to Port Kembla or within the harbour.

While awaiting berth, pilot or orders, vessels should anchor N of a line eastward from Wollongong Light in water 25-35m and well clear of the approaches to the port.

All designated anchorages (E1 to E9 and W1 to W6) have been revoked. Foul ground exists close by the pilot boarding ground. Vessels should avoid anchoring between the islands, as this is also foul ground.

At the time of anchoring, position and forward and aft draughts should be reported to the signal station.

Restrictions

Minimum draught: Vessels are required to have minimum draughts of 2% of LOA forward and 3% of LOA aft. In addition, it is required that the propeller be immersed. In windy conditions it would be prudent to have the vessel in heavy weather ballast condition.

Maximum departure draught: Calculated as follows, 15.25m + height of tide divided by 1.08. The UKC for ships departing the port is required to be not less than 8% of the vessel's draught.

Under Keel Clearance: To allow for safe passage in the port the UKC for ships entering Port Kembla is required to be not less than 1.2m when not using the DUKC system. Alongside berth minimum UKC is 0.6m in Outer Harbour and 0.3m in Inner Harbour.

Darkness: Length restriction LOA 300m. Longer allowed but the vessel is specifically identified by name after comprehensive assessment.

All Cape size vessels inbound or outbound during periods of reduced visibility or darkness are required to have a working rate of turn indicator and speed log.

Wave Generator: A wave generator, and protective berm to the N, are located on the seaward side of the coal storage area to the E of Berth No 103 (34°30.124'N 150°54.106'E). The area is marked by N and S Cardinal markers.

Underwater Hazards: A submarine cable is laid from Berth 201, running SE to the E end of the N Breakwater and then 0.3nm ENE across the Outer Harbour entrance; a second branch extends 0.3nm NNE.

A submarine oil pipeline is laid across The Cut (34°27.88'S 150°54.00'E) which forms the entrance to the Inner Harbour.

Tugs

Three tugs available: "Marloo" pulling up to 62t; "Beltana" pulling up to 60t and "Barunga" pulling up to 70t. A new tug harbour is now in operation close N of Berths 202 and 204.

Three Lines Boats are available: "Wyee" (10m); "Dapto" (19m) and "Bodalla" (10m).

Mooring

Port Kembla Gateway Jetty mooring arrangements: The Outer Harbour at Port Kembla is sometimes affected by surge action and Masters of vessels berthed at this jetty must ensure that their vessels do not have less than the minimum moorings.

At least one head line, one stern line and one spring fore and aft shall be doubled up. The linesmen are aware of these requirements and will assist ships crew with this arrangement.

Prior to using/testing engines alongside the berth, permission must be obtained in writing from the Harbour Master.

The handling of ship's lines on the shore, unless in an absolute emergency, must be done by approved personnel. It is therefore recommended that Masters ensure that their vessel is adequately secured on arrival, allowing for seasonal winds and in the Outer Harbour, swell patterns. For any advice regarding the number and placement of mooring lines please consult the pilot when berthing.

Charts and publications

AUS195, 808. Admiralty Pilot NP14, NP286(4).

US Sailing Directions No 127 (East Coast of Australia and New Zealand).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Dynamic Under Keel Clearance Program (DUKC): Deep draught vessels must provide stability information to the Port Authority on PKPC DUKC form 48 hours prior to arrival.

See Country section for full details of pre arrival information.

Communications

Weather broadcasts are made on VHF Ch 11 at regular intervals.

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.

unquote.

Notice of readiness

As per Charter Party. A vessel is considered an 'arrived ship' when it has crossed the port limits, having obtained AQIS and customs clearance.

Health

Note: The granting of pratique to a vessel does not release it from being subject to quarantine. Goods require separate clearance.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Port Kembla is a first port of entry.

In order to conform to the appropriate section of the Customs Act it should be noted that no items of ship equipment are to be taken ashore for repair and or renewal without the permission of the Australian Customs Service having first been obtained. This may be obtained by the agent.

Boarding: Most arriving vessels at Port Kembla are boarded at the wharf. In the event of non attendance by Customs Officers, ship's documents should be presented to agent.

Notices and regulations

Occasions do occur when it is necessary to close the port for bad weather conditions or other reasons. When advised of approaching bad weather, Master should ensure that the vessel is ready to be moved at one hour's notice and maintain a listening watch on Ch 11.

Permits: Permission is required for the lowering of ship loaders for repairs and maintenance and for their longterm immobilisation in the lowering period. Permits are also required for other maintenance and repair activities while in harbour, a full list of which can be found in the Port Handbook (website: http://www.kemblaport.com.au)

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

Repairs can be carried out, engineering services available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all berths by pipeline.

Bunkers: Available via pipeline at berth 101, 102, 112, 113, 201 and via road tanker at all other berths although restrictions at some berths apply.

Prior to commencement of bunkering, or sludge removal, permission must be obtained from an authorised officer from the Port Authority.

Stores: Available at all berths.

Medical

Wollongong Hospital, 4.5km. Port Kembla Hospital, 3km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Sydney International Airport is approx 70km N by road. Bus services also available heading to Kingsford Smith International Airport approx. 80km from the port.

Albion Park regional airport is appox 17km S by road.

Nearest railway: Port Kembla and Wollongong.

Working hours

Normally 3 shifts throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Port Kembla is situated on the New South Wales coast, approx 60km SSW of Sydney.

The port

Port Kembla consists of an Outer Harbour protected by breakwaters and an Inner Harbour which has been dredged out of the flat hinterland. Kembla is the second largest coal exporting port of New South Wales and the largest port for the import of iron ore and limestone for the manufacture of iron and steel which are then exported. Other imported cargoes include fertilisers, limestone and petroleum products. After major expansion, Port Kembla has seen diversification of its trade base to include general and break bulk cargoes, containers and motor vehicle imports. The port is also due to be home to the first LNG import terminal in New South Wales.

Traffic

Approximately 27,000,000t of cargo (including 8,000,000t of coal and 23,000t of grain), 910TEU and 800 vessels annually.

Where does the pilot board at Port Kembla?

The pilot boards at Port Kembla reporting point — E approach, 34°25.2′S 151°03.2′E. Port Kembla has 5 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Port Kembla in?

Local time at Port Kembla 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 Port Kembla?

The deepest berth listed is at Port Kembla Coal Terminal: 16.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Port Kembla?

Approx 1025, except in periods of very heavy rainfall.

Which load line zone is Port Kembla in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Port Kembla?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Kembla?

The UN/LOCODE of Port Kembla is AUPKL.

What crews who called at Port Kembla 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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