Port Pirie

1. Port Pirie pilot boarding ground Pilot boards33°04.5′S 137°45.5′E

Size limits

LOA 187m, beam 30.4m, draught 7.30m, 39,779DWT.

Water density

1033-1035.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 2.67m (springs); 1.71m (neaps). Mean Maximum Range 2.4m. Mean Minimum Range 0.5m.

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

Approach

Port Pirie is approached through a buoyed channel, E of Cockle Spit Light Beacon. The channel is 92m wide, depth 6.4m CD, with 3 sets of leading light beacons and marked by lit beacons. The swinging basin off Berth Nos 4-5 is dredged to 6.4m.

Vessels should not pass or overtake each other in the channel if possible.

Vessels with limited visibility/manoeuvrability may require assistance in navigating the channel.

Port limits

The port limits are all the waters contained within a triangular area the apex of which is 13nm WNW of Mount Ferguson.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Flinders Port, Port Pirie Office is manned between 0830 and 1700hrs, Mon - Fri and maintains a listening watch on VHF Ch 16 and 12, callsign 'Pirie Harbour'.

Anchorages

Anchorage may be obtained within the vicinity of the pilot boarding ground. Clay bottom.

Restrictions

Note: Various speed restrictions apply within the approach channel.

The UKC is 0.3m on berths and 0.75m for vessels less than 22m beam, 0.9m for vessels over 22m beam underway. Max draught 6.4m plus tide minus UKC minus 0.2m for possible depression of tide due to weather (when calculating in advance).

Vessels over 180m in length are piloted in daylight hours only.

There is no night berthing at No 2 Berth.

Oversized vessels may berth at the discretion of the General Manager, Marine Operations, in conjunction with the pilot on duty and restricted to high water, minimum cross currents in the channel and wind not exceeding 15kts.

A power cable, with a safe vertical clearance of 53.5m, spans the channel between berths No 7 and No 8.

Tugs

Tugs should be ordered through agent with at least 24 hours before arrival/departure/shifting. Four tugs are available, 2 x 2100bhp, 2X 1250bhp with 55t and 42t bollard pull. Vessel's lines are used for making fast tugs.

Mooring

Vessels usually swing so they are facing head out, therefore mainly berthing port side alongside.

Charts and publications

BA 4709. Admiralty Pilot NP13, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessel's ETA should be sent 7 days, 72, 48, 24, 12 hours and 4 hours prior to arrival. The message should include information regarding draught for and aft and the principle particulars of the vessel.

Communications

VHF: Port & Pilots: Ch 16, 06, 12. Callsign "Port Pirie Harbour". Watch kept during office hours (0845-1700hrs) weekdays or by arrangement. All communications within the port will be conducted in standard marine navigation vocabulary. Communications must be preceded by the identification of the channel the operator is using

Port operations are generally conducted on Channel 8 which includes tugs and mooring gang.

Port Authority: Tel: +61 8 86321455, Fax: +61 8 86325918, Email: [email protected].

Signal Station:

Call: Pirie Harbour

VHF Frequency: Ch 16, 12, 13, 67.

Telephone: +61 (0)8 82483505.

Port Adelaide Marine, Tel: +64 8 8449 2082.

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.

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Notice of readiness

NOR to be tendered via agents.

Health

Radio Pratique application: Send answers to Request For Pratique Form to agent, to be passed onto Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).

Customs and immigration

The Australian Customs Services acts on behalf of the Department of Immigration for everyday matters concerning vessel's crew and passengers. Crew may go ashore providing they carry some form of ID, usually a company ID or photocopy of Passport (preferably with photo) and that primary identification documents (passport or seaman's book) are kept onboard the vessel, (usually left with the Master). Customs allow one bottle of alcohol, and one carton of cigarettes in each crew member's cabin, the remainder of such stores onboard will be kept in bonded store. The penalty for non-compliance is forfeiture of the goods.

Notices and regulations

There is one way traffic in Port Pirie at all times.

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

Machinery repairs can be undertaken. Slipway available for craft up to LOA 21m.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all berths. Rate 15tph.

Bunkering: Light diesel oil is available by road tanker. The Agent is required to inform Flinders, using a 'Permission to Take on Oil' application.

Stores: Available

Crew change

Via Adelaide.

Transport

Nearest airport: Port Pirie, 8km and Adelaide International.

Airport facilities: Charter available.

Nearest railway: Coonamia.

Working hours

Loading grain, continuous except when trimming. Normally 0800-1500hrs and 1500-2200hrs. Extended day shift from 1500-1700hrs Mon, Tue and Wed, (if required), Sat 0800-1500hrs, Sun as for week days.

Loading of other commodities, 0800-1500hrs, 1500-2200hrs and 0001-0700hrs (if sufficient labour is available) every day.

Where it is

Port Pirie is situated 223km N of Adelaide.

The port

Flinders Ports operates one of the port, exporting large quantities of zinc concentrates and lead, other exports include grain and seeds. Principal imports comprising minerals, coal and ores.

Traffic

Approx 600,000t of cargo, 50 vessels, 55,941t of coal and 90,000t of grain handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Port Pirie?

The pilot boards at Port Pirie pilot boarding ground, 33°04.5′S 137°45.5′E.

What time zone is Port Pirie in?

Local time at Port Pirie 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 Pirie?

The deepest berth listed is at Port Pirie Terminal: 7.30 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Port Pirie?

1033-1035.

Which load line zone is Port Pirie in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Port Pirie?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Pirie?

The UN/LOCODE of Port Pirie is AUPPI.

What crews who called at Port Pirie 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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