PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Port Melville
Pilot
updated Nov 2016Outer pilot boarding positions 11° 17.34'S and 130 03.62'E. Due to their draft, are tidally restricted when crossing over Mermaid Shoal with min depth 8.8m at CD or should the Master of the vessel request of a pilot to cross the shoal.
Key data
updated May 2019Size limits
Draught 10.3m, 50,000DWT.
Tides
MHWS 4.0m ; MHWN 3.0m ; MLWN 1.6m ; MLWS 0.6m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Melville Terminal | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Dec 2016Approach
Crossing Mermaid shoal at the Northern entrance to Apsley Strait: Min depth 8.5m at CD.
Port limits
Port Melville port limits are displayed on Chart AUS 22.
Anchorages
There are no designated outer anchorage areas, vessels are permitted to anchor where they deem it safe to do so. The inner anchorage lies approximately 0.6nm NW of Harris, about 24m of water. Strong tidal flow may be encountered, vessels anchoring in this area should put out the appropriate amount of anchor cable to safely hold the vessel.
Charts and publications
Aus 22, Admiralty List of Lights Volume K, Admiralty List of Radio Signals, Admiralty Pilot NP13
Reporting before arrival
updated Nov 2016ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels should send ETA at least 24 hours before arrival to the Port Melville Port Corporation
Communications
Port / Facility Operation Manager: Tel: +61 (0)8 8984 3081, Fax: 61 (0)8 9320 7011
Port / Facilities Security Officer: Tel: +61 (0)8 8984 3081, Fax: 61 (0)8 9320 7011
Health
Quarantine clearance carried out by Australian Quarantine and Inspection Services, Tel: +61 (0)8 8999 2118, Fax: +61(0)8 8999 2053, Email: [email protected]
Customs and immigration
Australian Customs Service which includes Immigration formalities may be contacted on Tel: +61 (0)9 8946 9999 , Fax: +61 (0)8 8946 9932, VHF: Ch16.
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
About Port Melville
updated Nov 2016Where it is
Port Melville is located at South Barlow Point on Melville Island approx 125km NNW of Darwin.
The port
The port is operated by Ezion Offshore Logistics Hub (Tiwi) Pty Ltd.
Cargoes handled include logs, woodchips, project cargoes, break bulk cargoes and marine supply base.
Questions about Port Melville
What are the pilot arrangements at Port Melville?
Outer pilot boarding positions 11° 17.34'S and 130 03.62'E.
What time zone is Port Melville in?
Local time at Port Melville is UTC+9:30. No summer time.
Who carries out Port State Control at Port Melville?
Port State Control at Port Melville: Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Melville?
The UN/LOCODE of Port Melville is AUMLI.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Port Melville 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 Melville →
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.