PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Port Vila
Pilot
updated Sep 2010Compulsory for vessels over 60m in length within the port limits. Pilot boards 2nm W of the fairway buoy on the line of the leading lights.
Pilot launch displays, by day, the "H" flag and by night, a red flashing light.
Requests for a pilot should be addressed to "Harbour Master Vila", or advise through agent.
Key data
updated Mar 2026Size limits
LOA 330m, beam 39, draught 10.5m, 49,999DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
South Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Apr 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Mar 31.
Tides
Range 0.6m to max 1.5m.
The ingoing stream sets through the harbour entrance, round the E side of Iririki Island and out S of Efila Island. The outgoing ebb stream sets in the opposite direction.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vila Terminal | 10.50 m | 330 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Mar 2026Approach
Vessels approach and enter the harbour between Malapoa Point (17°44'S 168°18'E) and the N end of Efila Island 0.5nm S with the sector lights, in line, bearing approx 078°. This line leads between the two flashing entrance buoys marking the channel into the harbour. Depth in the channel is approx 11.0m.
Port limits
The port limits are a line drawn between Pango Point and Devils Point.
Anchorages
When a large vessel has to await berth or tide the Master should anchor in the Outer bay, N of the leads and approx 1,200m from the lower lead or as directed by the Harbour Master. The position should be well clear of the passage taken by vessels leaving Pontoon Bay.
Smaller vessels anchor further inshore and N of the leads.
Anchoring is prohibited in the vicinity of a submarine pipeline, which crosses the entrance to Paray Bay between Burns Philp' Wharf on the main island, and Government Jetty on Reriki, 0.175nm SW.
Restrictions
No services will be provided between 2300hrs and 0500hrs unless in emergency or by prior arrangement.
Vessels are berthed during daylight hours only, except at the Main wharf, where berthing, day or night, may be performed on request.
Vertical clearances: An overhead power cable with a vertical clearance of 27m, spans the entrance to Paray Bay. There is also an overhead power cable with a vertical clearance of 12m. It spans Talimoru Passage which lies between Tatavai Point, SE extremity of Ifira, and Worowloa Point, 0.1nm SSW, on the W side of Pontoon Bay.
Speed in the harbour, within the entrance buoys, is limited to 5kts.
Tugs
Available.
Charts and publications
BA 1494, 1570. Admiralty Pilot NP61, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Oct 2018ETA and pre-arrival notices
Required, if possible, 7 days, 2 days and 1 day prior to arrival.
Request for services should be sent to local agent who will inform all other parties concerned.
Pilots should be advised of ETA at boarding point 24 hours in advance. The pilots will monitor the VHF channel 2 hour prior to ETA for an update and confirmation of unhindered arrival at the boarding point.
Communications
All radio messages go via Perth Radio, the local telephone company close down their cable service from Sat 1100hrs to Mon 0800hrs, plus holidays.
If possible, communicate with local agent via Inmarsat.
VHF: "Port Vila Port Control": Ch 16. A watch is kept from 0600-1830hrs.
Pilots: Ch 16, Watch hours 0730-1130hrs and 1315-1630hrs. Contact is normally made 2 hours prior to arrival.
Ifira Wharf & Stevedoring: Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Notice of readiness
NOR usually tendered at vessel's clearance, but back dated to the time of the pilot boarding.
Documents
* Special form, delivered by agent.
If vessel calls at more than one Vanuatu port, an additional copy of each of above documents to be supplied.
The documents are checked by Customs (who also act for Immigration) and Plant Quarantine.
Health
Pratique is applied for automatically by local agent, upon receipt of first ETA. There is no need for vessels to apply.
There are no special health regulations.
Ship Sanitation Control and Ship Sanitation Exemption Certificates can be renewed, but at least 2 working days notice, prior to arrival, is required.
Customs and immigration
No restriction on allowances for officers and crew. No drugs. No Immigration procedures, except for signing on/off crew or passengers.
No restrictions for crew or passengers.
Flags
Only normal Interco flags required. If not complying a warning will be given.
Notices and regulations
Pre booked passenger/cruise vessels get priority for berthing, followed by regular scheduled cargo vessel, copra vessels and finally Navy vessels.
Inspections
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: Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities.
Position: Director-General.
Address: Private Mailbag 9057, Port Vila, Vanuatu.
Tel: +678 25284
Fax: +678 27714
Mob: +678 43528
E-mail: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
About Port Vila
updated Oct 2018Where it is
Port Vila is situated on Efate Island.
The port
Port Vila is the principal port of the Republic of Vanuatu, which consists of 13 large and approx 70 smaller islands in the Pacific Ocean. Port Vila is made up of 3 bays; Outer Bay, Pontoon Bay and Paray Bay.
Paray Bay is deep, has a government marine workshop quay and a fuel depot. While the harbour affords good shelter for all vessels, except in W'ly wind and cyclones, swinging room may be restricted if many other vessel are in the harbour. Facilities for all types of cargo are available, with the major export being copra.
Traffic
Approx 133 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Port Vila
What are the pilot arrangements at Port Vila?
Compulsory for vessels over 60m in length within the port limits.
What time zone is Port Vila in?
Local time at Port Vila is UTC+11. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Port Vila?
The deepest berth listed is at Vila Terminal: 10.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Port Vila?
1025.
Which load line zone is Port Vila in?
South Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Apr 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Mar 31.
Who carries out Port State Control at Port Vila?
Port State Control at Port Vila: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Vila?
The UN/LOCODE of Port Vila is VUVLI.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Port Vila 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.
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.