Port Walcott

1. Port Walcott pilot boarding areas Pilot boards20°32.2′S 117°18.0′E

Size limits

LOA 330.07m, Beam 57m, Draught 19m, 297,633DWT.

Water density

1023-1026.

Load line zone

South Indian Ocean Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical May 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Apr 30.

Tides

Mean Spring Range 5.20m. Mean Neap Range 3.40m.

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

Approach

The port is approached by a recommended route, passing E and S of Tessa Shoals.

Shallow draught vessels can approach Port Walcott between Delambre Island, (20°27.0'S 117°05.0'E), and Delambre Reef, 9nm E.

Departure from the port is via the dredged channel, approx 18.2nm in length and 15.6m in depth, through Bass Pass. Entry into the port via this buoyed channel is not allowed.

The following depths are measured in relation to LAT:

Approach to Cape Lambert 'A' Ore Jetty: 9.6m.

Approach to Cape Lambert Service Wharf: 7.8m

Inbound approach C1 Light Buoy to anchorages: 11.3m.

Port limits

The port is bounded by a line joining, the NW point of Burrup Peninsula (20°32.0'S 116°48.0'E); the SW point of Dolphin Island; the N point of Dolphin Island; the SE point of Legendre Island and the N point of Delambre Island, (20°27.0'S 117°05.0'E). Then generally SE to a point on the coast on the meridian of 117°32.0'E in the vicinity of Sherlock River.

Anchorages

Numbered anchor berths, for ore carriers awaiting a berth are situated from 3.5-15m ENE of Cape Lambert, (20°36.0'S 117°11.0'E). Depths in the numbered anchor berths vary from 11.0-15.0m, sand bottom.

An anchor berth for smaller vessels is situated 3nm of Cape Lambert.

Anchorage instruction need to contact "Port Walcott contact ‘”Port Walcott Base” on VHF 14".

Restrictions

All vessels must keep clear of large bulk carriers that are moored or manoeuvring within the area surrounding Cape Lambert.

Maximum permissible draughts for berthing are: Ore Jetty 9.5m and Service Jetty 7.8m.

Departure draughts based on 15.6m plus height of tide, less 10% UKC.

Vessels are required not to exceed 20m freeboard to the top of the hatch coamings.

Under Keel Clearance: Under keel clearance of 1.5m is required for entry from "C1" to the inner anchorage via the inbound track E and S of Tessa Shoals. For berthing, a minimum UKC of 1.0m is required.

Tugs

New tug harbour facilities have been built at the head of Cape Lambert 'B' Jetty to cater for the expansion of berths.

Rio Tinto Iron Ore Marine Operations use 65t bollard pull tugs with most shipping manoeuvres requiring two or three tugs at a time. All vessels must declare that the safe working load of their bollards is adequate for these tugs.

Mooring

Full details about mooring procedures for Port Walcott's Cape Lambert berths can be found on the Marine Services Western Australia Pty. Ltd. website: http://www.mswa-pilots.com.au

Before Mooring: Port Walcott Pilots will request the Master to walk out the port and starboard anchors, prior to running the head lines, so that the both anchors are below the waterline. The anchors should then be secured with their break and stopper bars. The Officer in Charge should then report to the Master that the anchors are "all secure". Once confirmation has been received that both anchors are secure, the mooring operation will then continue.

Vessels are required to run at least 18 mooring lines in good condition when berthed at Cape Lambert. Wire mooring are permitted and must have at least 25m of soft tail.

The berthing of ore carriers is usually carried out at slack water, vessels over 150,000t may only berth at HW. Berthing at the Lambert Service Jetty is carried out at any time subject to 10% UKC for berthing.

Sailing from the ore jetty is 1.25 hours prior to HW. Small vessels may sail at different times depending on tide and providing draught is less than 11.3m.

Berthing at the Lambert Service Jetty is carried out at any time subject to 10% UKC for berthing. Diesel fuel is discharged into a 8in pipeline to onshore storage tanks. It is not a common user berth and permission must be obtained from the Port Authority before any cargo other than that for RRIA is handled. Dry bulk cargo is handled by ship's own gear.

Charts and publications

AUS55, AUS327. Admiralty Pilot NP13, NP286(4).

Note - There are reported local magnetic anomalies within the Cape Lambert bearing approx 211° at a distance of 3nm and 4.5nm. At the inner position, the compass deflected by 55°. It is likely that other magnetic anomalies exist in the area.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA must be advised 7 days prior to arrival by fax or telex. The Crew Report (Form 3B) and the Ship Pre-Arrival Report (Form 13) must also be lodged more than 96 hours prior to arrival. The last ETA message is the 24 hour ETA, at which time the vessel should be about 350m from port.

Standard messages

QPAR Ballast Management/Quarantine Report must be sent 12 and 48 hours before arrival to AQIS, see Australian Regulations.

Notice of readiness

Ships' Notice of readiness is given at the time of anchoring prior to berthing.

Health

Radio pratique may be available. Quarantine line is an arc with a 3nm radius centred on Cape Lambert.

Customs and immigration

Port Walcott is a First Port of Entry. Customs Officers may board vessels on arrival. From January 1st 2008 all sea crew will need a visa for Australia, see Country Section for details.

Flags

Nil.

Notices and regulations

Inbound vessels should not impede outbound vessels constrained by their draught or restricted in their ability to manoeuvre.

Berthing may take place at any stage of the tide except during spring tides when vessels are required to wait for slack water. Maximum permissible draughts for berthing are 9.5m (Cape Lambert 'A' Ore Jetty) and 7.8m (Service Jetty).

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

There are no repair facilities available. No underwater hull cleaning is permitted.

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkers: Not available.

Fresh water: Available.

Stores: Available by boat; advance notice preferred.

Medical

Roebourne District Hospital, 27.9km.

Crew change

Via Karratha Airport.

Transport

Nearest airport: Wickham has a 1,300m earth airstrip. Night landing facilities are available at Roeburne airstrip, 15km. Karratha Airport located at Gap Ridge WA 6714, 67.9km. (domestic flights only).

Working hours

24 hours throughout the year.

Where it is

Port Walcott is situated on the NW coast of Australia, between Dampier and Port Hedland.

The port

Port Walcott's berths form part of the Cape Lambert facility operated by Rio Tinto (Robe River Iron Associates) and are used for exporting iron from mining operations in the Pilbara area.

Ore is carried to, and stored at, the port area using the Hammersley and Robe River railway. Individual consignments can be over 2km long stretching out over 150 wagons.

The new Cape Lambert Power Station is to support its iron ore mining operations in the area. This will use dry, low emission gas turbine generators and once through steam generator boilers.

Where does the pilot board at Port Walcott?

The pilot boards at Port Walcott pilot boarding areas, 20°32.2′S 117°18.0′E.

What time zone is Port Walcott in?

Local time at Port Walcott is UTC+8. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Port Walcott?

The deepest berth listed is at Cape Lambert A Terminal: 19.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Port Walcott?

1023-1026.

Which load line zone is Port Walcott 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 Walcott?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Walcott?

The UN/LOCODE of Port Walcott is AUPWL.

What crews who called at Port Walcott 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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