PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Port Lincoln
Pilot
updated Aug 2011- Port Lincoln pilot boarding Pilot boards34°40.0′S 135°57.5′E
Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels LOA 35m unless exempt. Pilots can be arranged by Flinders Ports through vessel's agent or owners.
Pilot boards in position at: 34°39.60'S 135°57.85'E.
Key data
updated Jun 2025Size limits
Draught 14.6m, LOA 330m, Beam 38.4m , DWT 82,799
Water density
1026.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
MHWS 1.34m, MHWN 0.87m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Lincoln Dry Cargo Terminal | 14.60 m | 330 m | 7 |
| Viva Energy Terminal | 9.90 m | 186 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 Jul 2020Approach
Depths in the approach channels, below CD are, Boston Bay 14.2m and Proper Bay 9.1m. The preferred route is within 0.5nm either side of port leads transit.
Port limits
Port limits include the waters, rivers, creeks and inlets of Spencer Gulf within a line drawn 3nm seaward of a straight line between Cape Donington and Point Boston.
Anchorages
Outer Anchorages: Boston Bay: Located (34°41.00'S 135°53.00'E), is situated between Kirton Point (34°43.00'S 135°53.00'E) and Point Boston (4.75nm NNE).
Anchorage, clear of marine farms, may be found at the N and S end of the bay, in depths of 13.0m, the holding ground is reported to be fair or moderate.
Anchorage with good holding ground may be found 2nm SE of Point Boston, in depths of 18.0 - 22.0m.
Spalding Cove: Located (34°46.00'S 135°58.00'E) is entered between Cape Colbert (34°44.00'S 135°59.00'E) and Surfleet Point (1.75nm SW), and extends about 3nm S. The shores consist of low rocky points and sandy bays, and to the E there are sandy cliffs. There are general depths of 9.0 - 14.0m to within 1nm of the cove head.
There are no dangers in Spalding Cove and anchorage may be found anywhere in the bay in depths of 9.0 - 14.0m.
Inner anchorage may be found at the N and S ends of the bay in depths of 13.0m, the holding ground is reported to be fair or moderate. A pilot is required for inner anchorage.
Restrictions
Berthing is restricted to daylight hours only. Sailing day or night. UKC required 10% of max draught.
Charts and publications
AUS 134,133, 776. Admiralty Pilot NP13, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jul 2020ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessel's ETA should be sent to the Port Manager 24 and 4 hours prior to arrival. Weekend arrivals should be notified by 1600 hours on the preceding Friday. The message should include the vessels LOA, draught on arrival, departure, cargo and tonnage.
Mandatory requirement to submit AQIS report between 48 and 12 hours before arrival, this is necessary if water ballast is to be discharged on the berth as AQIS permission is required before this can be performed. See Country section for further details.
Communications
Call Sign: Port Lincoln Harbour
VHF Frequency: Ch 16, 12, 13, 67.
Telephone: +61 (0)8 82483505
The Master of a vessel has the responsibility to report any incidents via the Signal Station on VHF Chs 16 or 12, or by telephone, that occur on or near the vessel or a malfunction that can cause risk or damage to the vessel or port infrastructure.
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
The NOR should be tendered on arrival.
Health
Pratique should be applied for prior to arrival, by radio. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.
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 Nov 2025Repairs
Minor repairs only are available. Slipway for vessels LOA 60m, max. capacity 500 t.
Dry docks
Boston Marine offers service dry docking for vessels up to LOA 60m with max 500t.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at all berths. Rate of flow 15tph. International ship to shore connection available.
Bunkering: By road tanker only.
Medical
Port Lincoln Hospital.
Transport
Nearest airport: Port Lincoln Airport, 12km.
Airport facilities: Two airlines offer flights from and to Adelaide daily. (Average of 8 flights per day).
Working hours
Sun-Fri 0800-1700hrs and 1700-2300hrs, Sat 0800-1600hrs.
About Port Lincoln
updated Jun 2025Where it is
Port Lincoln is located at the southern tip of Eyre Peninsula, 682km from Adelaide by road, or approx 280km W of Adelaide by air.
The port
Port Lincoln is a natural deep water harbour which makes the port attractive to large bulk grain carriers for topping up loads from other ports in South Australia and Victoria.
Grains and seeds are the principal exports, major imports are petroleum products and fertiliser.
Traffic
Approx 1,600,000t of cargo and 95 vessels handled in 2019. In 2024, approx 4,000,000t of grain handled annually.
Questions about Port Lincoln
Where does the pilot board at Port Lincoln?
The pilot boards at Port Lincoln pilot boarding, 34°40.0′S 135°57.5′E.
What time zone is Port Lincoln in?
Local time at Port Lincoln 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 Lincoln?
The deepest berth listed is at Port Lincoln Dry Cargo Terminal: 14.60 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Port Lincoln?
1026.
Which load line zone is Port Lincoln in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Port Lincoln?
Port State Control at Port Lincoln: Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Lincoln?
The UN/LOCODE of Port Lincoln is AUPLO.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Port Lincoln 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.
Plan a route to Port Lincoln →
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.