PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Timaru
Pilot
updated Nov 2019- Timaru pilot boarding area Pilot boards44°23.0′S 171°19.5′E
- Pilot boarding place Pilot boards44°22.9′S 171°22.3′E
Compulsory and available day and night. The pilot boarding ground is 2nm E of Fairway Light Beacon. On arrival, unless advised otherwise, Pilot ladder will be starboard side, 2m above water. No manropes, heaving line standby for Pilot equipment. On departure, unless advised otherwise, Pilot ladder will be port side, 2m above water. 2 x manropes, heaving line standby for Pilot equipment. Pilots disembark from outward bound vessels abeam Light Buoy (Fl 3 R) in position 44°23.11'S 171°17.37'E.
Pilots' Office: +64 3 687 2727. After Hours: +64 3 687 2729. VHF Ch 16/09 (Timaru Harbour Radio). Email: [email protected].
Key data
updated Nov 2019Size limits
Draught 11.6m, LOA 286.46m, Beam 40.06m, 80,545DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Spring range 2.04m, Neap range 1.26m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timaru Container Terminal | 10.70 m | 286 m | 1 |
| Timaru Terminal | 9.60 m | 200 m | 6 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Nov 2019Approach
The Fairway Beacon is situated in position 44°22'83S 171°19'37E, 2.4nm E of Timaru breakwater. From S of the Fairway Light Beacon the Outer Channel leads with alignment 267.1° of a green neon strip light at night (3 triangles by day), then the Middle Lead light in the fixed white sector, (266.7°-267.5°) leads through the middle of the approach channel. The channel is marked by lightbuoys in accordance with IALA System, Region "A" (red to port inbound). The approach channel is 1.5nm long, 250m wide.
Entry: From the inner end of the approach channel, approx 0.1nm N of Eastern Extension Molehead (44°23.2'S 171°16.0'E) the track leads SW through the dredged entrance channel and outer breakwater, with the Inner Leads bearing 228° into the Inner Harbour.
Port limits
Arc of a circle radius 2.5nm centred on Eastern Extension Light (44°23.2'S 171°16.0'E), (FLR5s).
Traffic schemes and VTS
Not available.
Anchorages
No recommended anchorage, vessels anchor outside the Pilotage and Harbour limit as marked on charts at Master's discretion.
Restrictions
Vessels may berth and unberth day or at night, depending on weather conditions.
Vessels drawing not more than 8.4m are berthed at any state of the tide, berthing of vessels of deeper draught depends on the height of tide.
Tugs
3 tugs are available, 1 x ASD 32t with FI-FI, 1 x ASD 25t with FI-FI, 1 x 5t (Pilot Launch)
Charts and publications
NZ 6422 and 64. Tide tables, New Zealand Nautical Almanac, (also includes radio/lights). Admiralty Pilot NP51, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Nov 2019ETA and pre-arrival notices
Notice and arrival draught have to be passed to the Timaru Pilot's Office before 1300hrs on last working day prior to arrival and then again 3 hours before arrival with confirmation 1 hour prior to arrival.
Communications
VHF: Port: Ch 16, 09, callsign "Timaru Harbour Radio".
Standard messages
Vessel particulars LOA, GT and draught is required in advance for first time calls.
Notice of readiness
The NOR is tendered by the agent as per Charter Party.
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
Contact "Timaru Port Health" Fax: +64 3 688 9181 as ship will be inspected on arrival.
Customs and immigration
Advance notice of 48 hours is to be passed through the shipping agent. Vessels liable to quarantine are required to proceed to the quarantine anchorage, while awaiting inspection. Owing to the exposed nature of the anchorage, incoming vessels may be examined and pratique granted after a vessel berths. In the event of a vessel being quarantined, she will be required to return to the anchorage without any contact with the shore.
Flags
The New Zealand blue Ensign must be exhibited.
Notices and regulations
No vessels should attempt to enter the harbour without permission.
Agents supply regulations for first visit to New Zealand.
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 Nov 2019Repairs
A wide range of engineering/repair services are available, including divers.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at all berths.
Bunkering: Available.
Medical
Timaru Public Hospital, 3km.
Crew change
Crew change is possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Approx 9.6km, (domestic).
Airport facilities: Daily connections to Christchurch/Wellington International Airport.
Nearest railway: With the exception of Wharves No 2 and 3, the berths are rail connected. Railway Station is 100m from port.
Working hours
Continuous.
About Timaru
updated Nov 2019Where it is
Timaru is a man made port situated in the centre of the South Island's E coast.
The port
PrimePort Timaru consists of the sheltered inner harbour, which is enclosed on the SE side by land and then by a concrete mole tending northwards. The NW side is enclosed by a mole tending northwards and then eastwards for the outer harbour berths, while the inner harbour is further protected by the eastern extension mole.
The port handles exports of bulk wood chips, grain and tallow, breakbulk frozen meat and containerised goods. Imports include fertilisers, petroleum products, soya bean meal and motor vehicles. More recently, Holcim Cement have installed a storage dome, which has replaced grain silos in the main port. Cement cargoes will be received by, and also despatched from, the port. There is a thriving fishing fleet and processing industry.
Traffic
Approx 440 vessels, 1,730,000t of cargo and 80,000TEU handled annually.
Questions about Timaru
Where does the pilot board at Timaru?
The pilot boards at Timaru pilot boarding area, 44°23.0′S 171°19.5′E. Timaru has 2 pilot boarding places.
What time zone is Timaru in?
Local time at Timaru 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 Timaru?
The deepest berth listed is at Timaru Container Terminal: 10.70 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Timaru?
1025.
Which load line zone is Timaru in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Timaru?
Port State Control at Timaru: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Timaru?
The UN/LOCODE of Timaru is NZTIU.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Timaru 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.