Weipa

1. Skardon River pilot boarding Pilot boards11°46.3′S 141°55.5′E
2. Weipa Small Vessel Pilot Boarding Ground Pilot boards12°40.5′S 141°43.3′E
3. Weipa pilot boarding Pilot boards12°43.9′S 141°40.0′E

Size limits

Max LOA 240m, beam 43m, draught 12.2m, DWT unrestricted.

Water density

1015-1022.

Load line zone

South Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Apr 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Mar 31.

Tides

Range 2.2m at springs, 0.8m at neap.

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

Approach

The directions for entering the harbour are as follows: N approach and South channel: From a position, 12°35'S 141°32'E, approx 4.5nm W of Duyfken Point, the approach leads SE then E across Albatross Bay passing SW of Dufyken Point at a distance of at least 4nm.

Gonbung Point Leading Lights:

Front light (white metal tower), 12°40.1'S 141°50.4'E; Rear light, (as front light), 1.75nm ENE of the front light.

The alignment 078° of Gonbung Point Leading Lights then leads through the centre of South Channel into the deep water channel of Embley River passing SSE of Fairway Light Beacon, marking the N side of the entrance to the South Channel. The South Channel has a designed depth of 11.1m and the minimum static UKC for is 1.2m. Then between No 1 and No 2 Light Beacons, then between numbered pairs of light beacons marking the S and N sides of the dredged channel, then between No 17 and No 18 (special) Light Beacons, at the inner end of the South Channel. No 18 Light Beacon marks the E end of a drying sandbank at the junction of South Channel and Emberley River, then NNW of Urquhart Point, the S entrance point of Emberley River.

The track then leads E passing S of No 20 Light Beacon. This light beacon stands on the alignment of Gonbung Point Leading Lights and marks the N side of the deep water channel of Embley River.

A departure channel has been established with a designed depth of 11.1m LAT.

Caution: Check current depth information in latest Notice to Mariners for the Port of Weipa at: http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Notices-to-mariners.aspx.

Port limits

The port of Weipa comprises of the waters of Albatross Bay E of a line from Jantz Point, the W extremity of Duyfken Point, to Boyd Point (20.75nm S).

Anchorages

The bottom is soft mud and the holding is generally good, but care must be taken during

strong westerly winds.

Emergency anchorage for detained vessels inside the Pilotage Area: 12°45.5'S 141°38.0'E

Restrictions

There are normally no restrictions as to movements during the hours of darkness, however this will depend on the circumstances prevailing at the time.

All vessels traversing the South Channel must do so at a moderate speed to prevent erosion of the side slopes. There is no speed limit, however 10kts is considered to be the maximum.

No vessel will enter or depart the port without the permission of the Harbour Master.

Tugs

Arrival movements of LOA greater than 100 m will utilise a minimum of two tugs. Under normal conditions no tugs are required for vessels less than 100 m.

Mooring

Vessels less than LOA 200m can berth at any state of the tide. Vessels over LOA 200m can only berth at the flood tide. Vessels can sail either 1 hour.15 minutes before HW or 30 minutes before LW.

Berthing and sailing times may be varied to take account of vessels draught and other shipping movements.

Vessels over LOA 200m proceed to their berth via the South (Main) Channel then via the channel S of Cora Bank and berth starboard side to the wharf. (Note the channel S of Bora Bank is only 7.3m in depth).

Vessels less than LOA 200m proceed direct to their berths without passing the channel S of Cora Bank. These vessels can berth either port side or starboard side to the berth and use Lorim Point Swing Basin (9.4m) either on arrival or departure.

Charts and publications

AUS4 and 301. Admiralty Pilot NP13, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessel's ETA should be emailed or faxed to the ship's agent at least 7 days before arrival. Details should include name of vessel, type of vessel, ETA, total cargo quantity required, hatch loading sequence (Pour by Pour), sent 48 hours prior to arrival. The "Application to Berth" form must be received by Weipa VTS no later than 48 hours before the vessel's estimated pilot boarding time.

Communications

For operational maritime questions, marine incidents, marine pollution, pilotage, buoy moorings, navigation aids or towage requirements, contact the Regional Harbour Master's office: Tel +61 7 4052 7412, Fax +61 7 4052 7451, Email: [email protected], After hours emergency: 1300 551 899.

Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) for Weipa is situated at the Regional Harbour Master's office. For ship traffic scheduling, marine pollution incidents and reporting defective navigation aids, direct initial enquiries to the VTS: VHF Ch 12, 16 and 8. Callsign "WEIPA VTS". Tel: +61 7 4052 7470, Fax: +61 7 4052 7460, Email: [email protected].

VHF: Port Operations: Ch 16, 12, 13, 14.

Tugs: Ch 06 (outbound) and 08 (inbound).

Port Authority: Tel: +61 7 3224 7426, Fax: +61 7 4069 7518.

Rio Tinto Marine Operations: Tel: +61 7 4069 8336, Email: [email protected].

Port Control - Weipa VTS: Tel: +61 7 4052 7470, Fax: +61 7 4052 7460.

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.

unquote.

Health

Weipa is a proclaimed Australian first port of entry and therefore all overseas vessels or installations are required to give prescribed information (pratique status of your vessel) to the Maritime National Coordination Centre (MNCC). You are required to complete a Pre-arrival Report for Vessels (QPAR) and submit it to the MNCC by email [email protected] or phone 1300 004 605 if in Australia and +61-8-8201-6185 if outside of Australia, through the help of your agent.

The information must be submitted on the QPAR no less than 12, and no more than 96 hours prior to the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) of the vessel or installations at anchorage or berth. Once forwarded to the MNCC, the information supplied on the QPAR will be assessed by a Quarantine Officer (QO). The QO will then issue the Vessel Master, through the Shipping Agent, with a Quarantine Approval to Berth (ATB) which lists Quarantine directions placed on the vessel or installations.

Customs and immigration

Vessels arriving from foreign country must submit documentation 96 hours prior to vessel's ETA.

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.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all berths.

Bunkers: Diesel oil available at Evans Landing. Fuel oil, contact Port Supervisor, Tel: +61 7 4069 7749, email: [email protected].

Medical

Weipa Hospital, 4km.

Transport

Nearest domestic airport: Weipa, 8km, daily flights to Cairns.

Nearest international airport: Cairns, 650km.

Nearest railway: Cairns.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Weipa is situated approximately 200km south from the tip of Cape York on the west coast of the Cape York Penisula.

The port

The port is designed for handling very large quantities of bauxite for export which is mined from the Rio Tinto Alcan (RTA) mines. A small amount of petroleum products are imported for local consumption.

Traffic

Approx 15,000,000t of cargo and 350 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Weipa?

The pilot boards at Skardon River pilot boarding, 11°46.3′S 141°55.5′E. Weipa has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Weipa in?

Local time at Weipa is UTC+10. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Weipa?

The deepest berth listed is at Lorim Point: 12.20 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Weipa?

1015-1022.

Which load line zone is Weipa 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 Weipa?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Weipa?

The UN/LOCODE of Weipa is AUWEI.

What crews who called at Weipa 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.

Read and add tips for Weipa →