PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Port of Ashburton
Pilot
updated Aug 2021- Ashburton boarding Pilot boards21°28.5′S 115°07.0′E
- Ashburton boarding position A Pilot boards21°26.2′S 115°07.0′E
- Ashburton boarding position B Pilot boards21°35.8′S 115°00.5′E
In the Port of Onslow, pilotage is compulsory for all vessels greater than 35m LOA, unless the Master has been issued with a PEC by the DoT Harbour Master for the Port of Onslow. Vessels of greater than 35m LOA, which intend to use Route 2 for approaching the port of Ashburton must get prior approval from the DoT Harbour Master to transit Port of Onslow waters without a Pilot.
LNG and Condensate vessels approaching the port of Ashburton via the Port of Onslow must follow the directions of Wheatstone Pilots and provide the DoT Harbour Master with the required notification. An agreement exists between Wheatstone Pilots and DoT Harbour Master for LNG and Condensate vessels transiting through Port of Onslow, under the directions of the Wheatstone pilots.
Pilot Boarding Ground:
There are 2 Pilot boarding grounds for the Port of Ashburton.
Pilot Boarding Ground âAâ (PBG - A) is located at Latitude 21 degrees 26.2 minutes South and Longitude 115 degrees 07 minutes East outside the Port of Ashburton waters (in the adjacent Port of Onslow waters) and is for LNG and Condensate vessels proceeding to the Wheatstone Marine Terminal (WMT).
Pilot Boarding Ground âBâ (PBG - B) is located south of the anchorages and north of the compulsory pilot boarding grounds in position Latitude 21 degrees 35.85 minutes South and Longitude 115 degrees 00.5 minutes East. This is used for vessels that will be proceeding to the MOF.
Both the pilot boarding grounds are located outside the compulsory pilotage area. The locations of the pilot boarding grounds are shown on the below chartlet.
Vessels that require a pilot must note the pilotâs instructions promulgated through Ashburton VTS. The pilot will board a vessel at sea by pilot boat.
Key data
updated Aug 2021Size limits
LOA 300.03m, draught 12.2m, beam 52m, 120,000DWT.
Load line zone
South Indian Ocean Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical May 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Apr 30.
Tides
Spring: 1.69m, Neap: 0.51m
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| MinRes Iron Ore Terminal | 14.60 m | 254 m | 2 |
| Wheatstone Marine Terminal (WMT) | 12.20 m | 300 m | 1 |
| Ashburton Cargo Wharf (ACW) | 7.45 m | 150 m | 3 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jun 2024Approach
Route 1: It is recommended that vessels approaching the Port of Ashburton from the West or North pass North East of Bessieres Island (21°31.5âS 114°46.0âE) to position 21°32.0âS 114°50.0âE, thence approach the port and the designated anchorage on an Easterly course.
Route 2: It is required that all LNG & Condensate vessels approach the port from the North East, transiting the Port of Onslow South of Airlie Island.
Anchorages
A4: 21° 32.310' S 114° 57.453' E
A5: 21° 32.316' S 114° 57.943' E
A6: 21° 32.777' S 114° 57.446' E
A7: 21° 32.783' S 114° 57.937' E
A8: 21° 32.322' S 114° 58.432' E
A9: 21° 32.789' S 114° 58.426' E
Restrictions
Turning circle diameter: 600m for the Chevron Berth and 225m for MOF access channel.
Tugs
Cargo vessels engaging in cargo transportation for the MOF berths are required to be assisted by 2 tugs. Tugs are used to deliver the ABS-classed transhipper barges to the STS area 40km off the Pilbara coast.
Mooring
There are no âcycloneâ moorings for vessels located within the Port of Ashburton.
Currently Cyclone moorings are located outside the port limits in Mangrove Passage area, which are controlled by the DoT.
Charts and publications
AUS64, AUS328. Admiralty Pilot NP13, NP286(4)
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2021ETA and pre-arrival notices
24 hours prior to arrival, confirmation should be provided to Dampier VTS that the bridge, manoeuvring, pilot boarding and mooring equipment are operational.
Communications
Call sign: Ashburton VTS
VHF Ch 14 and 16.
Port of Dampier Vessel Traffic Service Centre:
Landline phone +61 8 9159 6556 (Available 24hrs, 7 days)
Mobile phone: +61 (0) 428 888 800 (if unable to connect to above landline)
Documents
Request for pilotage is to include the following information:
-Vesselâs name and call sign
-Masterâs name
-Estimated Time of Arrival at Port of Ashburton (PBG-A or PBG-B)
-Lloydâs Register/IMO (International Maritime Organisation) number
-Draught forward and aft, plus LOA (length overall)
-Number of crew on board
-Confirmation that all navigation equipment is working satisfactorily
-Destination and purpose of operations within the Port of Ashburton
-Details of any hazardous cargo
-Any mechanical defects or outstanding inspection deficiencies
-Details of Pilot Exemption Certificate (if Master is pilot exempt for the Port of Ashburton)
-Declaration of security level
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 Dec 2024Repairs
Vessel may seek advice/arrangement for repair works from their agent.
Bunkers, water and stores
Freshwater: Not available.
Bunkers: Bulk marine diesel fuel is available at the Materials Offloading Facility (MOF) via fuel tankers only and must be an authorised and licensed supplier.
Medical
There are limited medical facilities available at the town of Onslow which is about 30 minute drive away from the Port of Ashburton. If a ship at the Port of Ashburton requires urgent medical assistance, the crew should contact Ashburton VTS for assistance.
About Port of Ashburton
updated Sep 2026Where it is
The port is located approximately 12 kilometres SW of Port of Onslow and 131 nautical miles West South West of the Port of Dampier in Western Australia's Pbara region.
The port
The port handles breakbulk, Ro-Ro Freight, LNG and petroleum products. The port also houses the recently developed 'Onslow Iron Project' which completed its first transhipment in May 2024. The project, operated by MinRes, will see iron ore transported by autonomous fully covered road trains from the Ken's Bore mine to the Port of Ashburton. The 150km journey is taken along a dedicated haul road and delivered to the 220,000t negative pressure storage facility within the port limits. The iron ore is then sent to ABS-classed transhipper barges via a covered conveyor to then be transferred to bulk carriers anchored in the STS area 40km off the Pilbara coast. By 2025, the project is scheduled to ship approx 35,000,000t/y with an expected life at Ken's Bore mine of 30 plus years.
Traffic
Approx. 45,500,000t of cargo (of which 10,055,500t is LNG, 1,356,600t is condensate, 226,100t is iron ore and 261,800t is 'other') and 1,300 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Port of Ashburton
Where does the pilot board at Port of Ashburton?
The pilot boards at Ashburton boarding, 21°28.5′S 115°07.0′E. Port of Ashburton has 3 pilot boarding places.
What time zone is Port of Ashburton in?
Local time at Port of Ashburton is UTC+8. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Port of Ashburton?
The deepest berth listed is at MinRes Iron Ore Terminal: 14.60 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
Which load line zone is Port of Ashburton 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 of Ashburton?
Port State Control at Port of Ashburton: Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Port of Ashburton?
The UN/LOCODE of Port of Ashburton is AUASB.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Port of Ashburton 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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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.