Port Moresby

1. Port Moresby LNG terminal pilot boarding place Pilot boards09°17.3′S 146°51.3′E
2. Port Moresby pilot boarding place Pilot boards09°32.6′S 147°07.3′E

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 211.85m, beam 35.215m, draught 14.5m, 38,805DWT.

Off Shore: LOA 184.95m, BCM 32.2m, 51,768DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 1.8m.

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

Approach

Basilik Passage (09°33'S 147°07'E), the principal opening in the barrier reef leading to Port Moresby, has a shoal patch of 11.2m on the leading line with deep water to the E, and is the channel recommended to be used by large vessels proceeding to the port.

Port limits

The port is enclosed by lines drawn as follows:

E limit: From (09°33.8'S 147°18.3'E) in a direction of 255° to South Patch Beacon, then 237° to Long 147°16.0'E, then 292° to the E extremity of Nateara Reef.

S limit: SW extremity of Nateara Reef to S extremity of Sinavi Reef.

W limit: NE extremity of Sinavi Reef through Lolorua and Hanudamua Islands to Palli Point.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Traffic schemes have not been adopted, AIS station installed.

Restrictions

Restrictions are subject to vessel's size and draught. Vessels are normally only berthed in day light. Tankers at the oil and LPG berths are also unberthed only by day.

Under Keel Clearance: UKC of 0.5m required at Container Wharf and 1.5m at oil and LPG berths.

Tugs

One tug of 2,000bhp and one of 780bhp available.

Mooring

At alongside berths vessels are normally berthed port side to where appropriate.

Vessels berthing on buoys normally berth heading SE.

Charts and publications

PNG622, PNG621, PNG379. Admiralty Pilot NP15, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA at Basilik Passage pilot station should be sent 24 and 12 hours in advance through Port Moresby ("P2M") or Rabaul ("P2R"). ETA to be confirmed 5 to 4 hours before arrival.

Communications

VHF: Port: Ch 16, 06, 08, 12. Call "Port Moresby Control".

Hours are 0745-1600hrs and when a vessel is expected.

Tugs: Ch 16.

Intership: Ch 16, 80.

Pilot: Ch 16, 12. Tel: +675 321 1400. Fax: +675 321 3606.

Vessels should maintain listening watch on VHF Ch 16 from 1 hour before arrival.

Vessels navigating the Fly River should provide intended movements and passing arrangements to other vessels on the river through VHF Ch 16 and 80.

Official Office:

Business Manager +675 321 2442/720 60574

[email protected]

Pilot ( Marine) +675 321 1358

Customs (Collector) +675 322 6600

Health Officer +675 301 3716

Quarantine Officer +675 329 0000

Standard messages

Vessels are berthed port side-to and are normally taken to berths during daylight.

Three passages, Liljeblad Passage, Basilisk Passage, and Padana Nahua Passage, lead through the barrier reef to Port Moresby.

Health

Contact, Department of Health, PO Box 3991, Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea, Telex: 7032 22151, Fax: +675 325 0826.

Notice of medical requirements: As much notice as possible should be given when shore medical/dental services are required.

Customs and immigration

Contact, Dept of Foreign Affairs, PO Wards Strip Waigani, Fax: +675 3250826.

Port State Control here: Tokyo 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 Transport

Address: PO Box 1489, Port Moresby, NCD PNG

Tel: +675 325 7500

Fax: +675 323 3339

Mobile: +675 6813745.

For ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Two commercial ship repair yards are available.

Dry docks

CB Dockyard: A new drydock, suitable for Panamax vessels is available on Motukea Island, 8km NW of the main port in Fairfax Harbour. The largest of 5 trolley winch slipways can accommodate a vessel up to 60,000t.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at berth.

Bunkering: Available by fuel line Supplier: InterOil.

Medical

Port Moresby General Hospital.

Transport

Nearest airport: Jackson's International Airport, 13km E of main wharves.

Airport facilities: International flights to Australia, Singapore, Manila and Hong Kong.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1200hrs, 1300-1700hrs and 1800-2200hrs.

Where it is

Port Moresby is situated on the SE coast of Papua New Guinea.

The port

Port Moresby is a natural harbour and is the second busiest port of Papua New Guinea. Most of the cargoes handled are imports.

There is an oil refinery at Napa Napa, on the W side of the Bay.

Good anchorage can be found in the outer harbour. Loading and discharging is carried out by ship's gear.

Traffic

Approx 2,000,000t of cargo and 90,000TEU handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Port Moresby?

The pilot boards at Port Moresby LNG terminal pilot boarding place, 09°17.3′S 146°51.3′E. Port Moresby has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Port Moresby in?

Local time at Port Moresby is UTC+10. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Port Moresby?

The deepest berth listed is at Motukea International Terminal (MIT): 12.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Port Moresby?

1025.

Which load line zone is Port Moresby in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Port Moresby?

Port State Control at Port Moresby: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Moresby?

The UN/LOCODE of Port Moresby is PGPOM.

What crews who called at Port Moresby 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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