PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Taharoa Terminal
Pilot
updated May 2010- Taharoa Ironsand Terminal pilot boarding (helicopter) Pilot boards by helicopter38°08.9′S 174°37.5′E
Pilotage district is bounded by the seaward arc of a circle radius 3nm centred on the terminal pumping station.
Pilotage is compulsory. Requests for pilots should be addressed to Ironsands for New Zealand Steel Mining Ltd. Pilots are supplied by McMaster Marine Ltd. and remain onboard as Loading Masters.
Pilot boarding area is 3nm WNW of the terminal buoy. Pilots embark and disembark by helicopter, provided a vessel is not pitching more than 5° nor rolling more than 8°. When the helicopter is operating at night, five white lights in a horizontal line are exhibited 0.2nm E of the port operations office.
Key data
updated Apr 2026Size limits
LOA 290.4m, beam 45m, draught 25.0m, 176,594DWT.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
At Taharoa, the tide streams sets N with a rising tide and S with a falling tide. During intermittent weather a SW'ly current sets northward parallel to the coast.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taharoa Terminal | 25.00 m | 290 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Apr 2026Approach
Approach: The direction and approach to the buoy is determined by the wind and sea state, adjusted slightly to account for any set.
Port limits
Port limit is the seaward arc of a circle, radius 2nm, centred on a shore pumping station (38°10.6'S 174°42.4'E).
Anchorages
Anchorage for vessels waiting to berth is available in a depth of 40m, sand, 2nm WNW of the terminal buoy. The anchorage is open to the W and if weather conditions prevent a vessel securing to the buoy, it should proceed to sea.
Vessels may not anchor or fish within 0.25nm of the terminal buoy and connecting pipelines.
Prohibited anchorage;
Two pairs of light beacons (white rectangle, red stripe) standing 0.1nm SW and 0.75nm S of Taharoa Ironsand Terminal Light (white metal framework tower, red bands, 16m in height) indicates the N and S limits, respectively, of the area.
Restrictions
By day, vessels can be secured to the terminal buoy in winds up to 40kts with average wave height up to 3.5m. At night the maximum wave height must be less than 2m and wind gusts less than 15kts.
Vessels can berth and sail by day or night, weather permitting.
Tugs
Tugs are not available but a service vessel assists vessels in securing to the buoy and pipelines.
Mooring
While approaching the buoy, the crew of the service vessel remove lashings from mooring rope and attach pick up lines to the floating hose strings. Approx 0.3nm from the buoy the support vessel takes a messenger rope and moves ahead toward the buoy. When close enough the vessels messenger is attached to the mooring rope permanent messenger and the vessel takes the slack. The vessel should stop approx 15-20m from the buoy. Larger size vessels (130,000t) handle the sea conditions better than smaller sized vessels (50,000t).
Charts and publications
NZ 43. Admiralty Pilot NP51, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jul 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels should send ETA on departure from the last port of call, 7 days, 72 and 24 hours in advance.
Communications
Radio: Perth Radio available throughout 24 hours on 2182kHz, 2480kHz. Vessels should maintain a listening watch on 2182kHz at 0833 and1503 (NZ Standard Time) 24 hours before arrival.
Inmarsat communication is possible.
VHF: Port Operations: Ch 16; 09, 10. Vessels should establish contact with the Centre on Ch 09, 2 hours before arrival.
Standard messages
Agent/port company will advise pilot boarding time, berth details and current SPM status .
Notice of readiness
As per Charter Party or at arrival at the pilot station.
Documents
Special forms: Port Company wishes to see Hazardous Cargo and Cargo Plan, 48 hours prior to arrival.
Agents will provide a full set of forms for next voyage or will send on request.
Health
Pratique can be applied for between 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival. Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate issued.
Customs and immigration
Normal Customs/Immigration formalities apply. Visas, if required, can be applied for on arrival.
Allowances for officers and crew: 200 cigarettes, 1 litre spirits, 750ml wine. There are cash fines and confiscation for non-compliance with these allowances.
Notices and regulations
Regional Council By Laws apply. Vessels must comply with ballast water discharge restrictions and be free from Asian Gypsy Moth.
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.
Inspection of ships in New Zealand
Maritime Safety Authority
PO Box 27006, 275-281 Upper Cuba Street, Wellington, New Zealand.
Tel: +64 4 382 8198.
Fax: +64 4 382 4934.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Maritime Safety Authority of New Zealand.
Contact person: Maritime Security Adviser.
Address: PO Box 27006, Level 8 Gen-I Tower, 109 Featherston Street, Wellington, 6005, New Zealand.
Tel: +64 4 471 5366.
Fax: +64 4 494 1270.
Website: http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Jun 2010Bunkers, water and stores
No repairs, no bunkering are available.
Provision: Available with advanced notice to Port Operator.
About Taharoa Terminal
updated Mar 2020Where it is
Taharoa Terminal consist of an SPM situated approx 7nm SW of Kawhai Harbour, on the W shore of the North Island of New Zealand. The SPM has an outside diameter of 11m and uses a CALM system.
The port
The port consist of one SBM which connected to two submarine pipeline connected to onshore terminal. The Terminal pump out iron sands to export vessel in slurry form via the SBM. The export vessel currently "Taharoa Destiny" , "Taharoa EOS" and "Taharoa Providence" is specifically design for this operation.
Questions about Taharoa Terminal
Where does the pilot board at Taharoa Terminal?
The pilot boards by helicopter at Taharoa Ironsand Terminal pilot boarding (helicopter), 38°08.9′S 174°37.5′E.
What time zone is Taharoa Terminal in?
Local time at Taharoa Terminal is UTC+13. Back to UTC+12 on 3 Apr 2027. Clocks go to UTC+13 on 25 Sep 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Taharoa Terminal?
The deepest berth listed is at Taharoa Terminal: 25.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
Which load line zone is Taharoa Terminal in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Taharoa Terminal?
Port State Control at Taharoa Terminal: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Taharoa Terminal?
The UN/LOCODE of Taharoa Terminal is NZTHH.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Taharoa Terminal 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.