Berths and wharf capability

Facilities at the port

The Port of Mackay’s existing infrastructure can accommodate 550 to 600 ships per year, with it currently handling around 200 ships per year. It has a combined import/export cargo capability to handle more than six million tonnes per year, with it currently handling around three million tonnes per year. We have sufficient port capacity to meet future demand.

Port capability includes:

• a heavy lift wharf
• a general cargo wharf
• marine infrastructure that can handle container trade for multipurpose ships with their own cargo cranes
• a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) barge facility that can accommodate project cargoes that require barge shipping options.

The Port of Mackay is situated approximately 950 km north of Brisbane. The pilot boarding ground position is 21 degrees 7.031'(S) 149 degrees 17.139'(E) (Maritime Safety Queensland 2016).

The time zone is Eastern Standard Time and equates to G.M.T. + 10 hours. All ETA and other messages should be made in local time.

Estimated time of arrival

Mackay is a proclaimed Australian first port of entry and therefore all overseas arriving 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 at MaritimeNCC@agriculture.gov.au
• by phone on 1300 004 605 if in Australia

by phone on +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.

Application to berth

All ships are required to notify NQBP’s Port Operations Centre no later than seven days prior to arrival. Complete an online application.

The Ship’s Security Officer (SSO) needs to notify the Port Operations Centre of the following information:

• the security officer's name and contact details
• crew listing and details of projected crew movements
• expected stores, visitors and crew changes.

Crew members seeking access through the cordon will need to be able to present a photographic ID card, which will be verified against the supplied crew list.

For the latest information on berthing applications, contact the ship’s agent or NQBP by telephone +61-7-4955 8171 or email portoperations@nqbp.com.au.

Tug services

Mackay tug’s VHF Channel will be advised by the Marine Pilot once they have boarded the ship for call up and are communicating with ships during berthing operations (Maritime Safety Queensland 2008).

Smit Lamnalco Towage Australia uses the following tugs in Mackay:

Measurement figures

Port of Mackay has four operating berths

Mackay berth facilities

Notes:

1. The above information relates to design depths and is subject to change.
2. Always consult MSQ's Notices to Mariners for the latest information http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Notices-to-Mariners/Ntm-mackay.aspx

Commodities traded at each berth

Wharf 1 is the port’s primary bulk liquid berth. It primarily handles petroleum products and also deals with ethanol, general cargo, break-bulk and dimensionally larger cargo. The wharf can handle containerised cargo from geared ships.

Wharf 3 mostly handles bulk raw sugar and has a travelling sugar gantry shiploader. This wharf can also handle diesel fuel.

Wharf 4 handles bulk refined sugar, molasses and break-bulk and general cargoes.

Wharf 5 is used for the export of grain and scrap metal, as well as for the import of fertiliser and magnetite. This wharf can also handle break-bulk and general cargoes. Wharf 5 includes a grain shiploader and conveyor. Fuel is also imported across this wharf.

Shiploader statistics

Mackay Bulk Sugar Wharf

The Mackay Bulk Sugar Terminal's gantry shiploader is located on wharf 3. The entire structure weighs approximately 400 tonnes and travels along rails at 12 metre centres for a length of 204 metres. It is driven by eight bogie drives and parked in storm anchors on the wharf for security during bad weather. The boom can also be locked by pins in the upright position for security during maintenance events.

The shiploader is fed by a 1400 mm belt travelling at a rate of 4.5 m/sec with a sugar rate of 2400 tph. The sugar is discharged into the ships’ holds by the gantry boom belt and telechute fitted with a 360^o rotating high speed thrower belt. The boom extends from the shiploader by approximately 25 metres and the telechute can be shuttled along the length of the gantry.

(Source: Queensland Sugar Limited 2014)

Sugar Australia Wharf

(Source: Sugar Australia 2014)

Graincorp Wharf

(Source: Graincorp 2014)

Berth restrictions/maximum vessel sizes

Inner Harbour

The maximum vessel size is 230 metres in length and 32.2 metres beam depending on the destination berth. However, vessels greater than 200 metres in length overall (LOA) will only be accepted on a case-by-case basis. This will be at the discretion of the Regional Harbour Master (Maritime Safety Queensland 2016). Vessels are limited to having a maximum berthing displacement of not more than 55,000 mt (Maritime Safety Queensland 2016). Night navigation is permitted on vessels up to 200 metres LOA (Maritime Safety Queensland 2016).

For vessels above 200 metres LOA, the Regional Harbour Master will make an assessment for night manoeuvring suitability, dependent on their individual merits (Maritime Safety Queensland 2016).

The safe handling of ships within the confines of the channels and swing basin requires the following conditions of trim:

1. Ships should be ballasted or loaded to have an even keel or trimmed by the stern with not more than 2.5 metres stern trim and the propeller fully submerged.
2. Vessels trimmed by the head or listing are not permitted. Ships not meeting this requirement may experience considerable delays until the problem is rectified.

Masters should pay special attention to their loading/ballasting plans to ensure that their ships are suitably trimmed and able to put to sea at short notice (minimum of 24 hours), especially during the cyclone season – 1 November to 30 April (Maritime Safety Queensland 2016).

Marina

The maximum size of vessel at the Mackay Marina is 50 metres LOA and 20 metre beam (Maritime Safety Queensland 2016). Note that vessels that have a draught greater than 3 metres are subject to berth limitations. For the latest information on depths refer to the Notice to Mariners for the Port of Mackay.

Berthing rules

1. Priority will be given to ships carrying cargo over naval ships and cruise liners.
2. A ship's owner, master or agent shall notify NQBP at least seven days prior to the entry of the ship to the port limits of the Port of Mackay. The notification is to be made in the form of the ‘Application to Berth’ published by NQBP from time to time and is to be sent via email or facsimile to NQBP.
3. The right to use a wharf is subject to the arriving ship having completed all relevant documentation and being ready to load/discharge cargo on entry to the port limits of the Port of Mackay. Failure to give the notification as required by Clause 2 above may, at the discretion of NQBP, result in any berthing priority being forfeited. Failure to have all cargo accumulated immediately prior to vessel arrival may, at the discretion of NQBP, result in any berthing priorities being forfeited.
4. Subject to the rules set out below, priority berthing between ships shall generally be determined by which ship arrives first at the Mackay port pilotage anchorage area for the nominated berth.
5. NQBP may direct a ship to vacate a berth where, in the opinion of NQBP acting reasonably, there has been unreasonable delay in the completion of loading/unloading the ship, where the delay was caused by, or was within the control of, the owner or master of the ship or the persons loading or unloading the ship. All costs associated with a direction to vacate are to be to the agent of the vessel.
6. If a vessel that is arranged to berth/depart cancels within 3.5 hours before pilot on board, half payment will be required. If it cancels after pilot on board, full payment will be required for the berthing operations.

NQBP may vary these rules by notice to port users.

Facilities at the port

Located on the north-west coast of Cape York Peninsula, the Port of Weipa’s main activity is the export of bauxite (aluminium ore) from the Rio Tinto Alcan (RTA) mine. There are four berths located at the Port of Weipa:

• Lorim Point East Wharf – managed by RTA for bauxite export
• Lorim Point West Wharf – managed by RTA for bauxite export
• Evans Landing Wharf – managed by NQBP for the importing of fuel and oil (roll-on/roll-off (RORO) available)
• Humbug Point Wharf – managed for RTA by Sea Swift Pty Ltd for the importing of general cargo (roll-on/roll-off (RORO) available).

Ports North provides pilotage and NQBP undertakes regular maintenance dredging of the shipping channels.

The Port of Weipa is located in position Latitude 12^o 40’ south and Longitude 141^o 52’ east. Time is Eastern Standard Time and equates to G.M.T + 10 hours. All ETA and other messages should be made in local time.

Estimated time of arrival

An Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) Notice should be emailed or faxed to the ship’s agent at least seven days before arrival. Details must include:

• name of ship
• type of ship
• estimated time of arrival
• total cargo quantity required
• hatch loading sequence, pour by pour.

Note: To avoid delays to berthing and tug cancellations, it is important that all adjustments to estimated time of arrivals (ETAs) are advised to all parties.

• All hatches are to be clean/dry and opened before berthing.
• All loading is expressed in metric tonnes of 1,000kg.
• Contact the ship’s agent for latest information on required arrival notices.

Application to berth

An Application to Berth form must be received by Weipa VTS no later than 48 hours before the ship’s estimated pilot boarding time. The ship’s agent should send a blank Application to Berth form to the ship seven to ten days before their arrival. This ensures up-to-date documents are always used. Contact the ship’s agent for the latest information on berthing applications.

Tug services

Tug services are provided by Smit Lamnalco Towage Australia and tug requisitions are generally made by ship’s agents. Most ship movements require the use of two tugs and there are three tugs based at Weipa.

Measurement figures

*Acceptable vessel lengths:

1. Up to 50m length overall (LOA) no restriction;
2. Greater than 50m LOA. Minimum parallel body length = 90m.
   (Dredge “Brisbane” is exempt from the above requirements.)

Commodities traded at each wharf

The commercial facilities at Weipa are operated by Rio Tinto and consist of onshore bauxite handling, processing and stockpiling facilities and conveyors running to Lorim Point East and West Wharves for shiploading.

Rio Tinto refurbished the Lorim Point West Wharf and constructed a second shiploader in 2005 on this wharf, resulting in an increase of its shiploading capacity.

Other port facilities include Humbug Point Wharf, which handles imports of general cargo and Evans Landing Wharf, which is the centre for fuel imports. There are also berths for tugs operated by Smit Lamnalco Towage Australia that are located on the inside of the Lorim Point East Wharf.

Note: There is an agreed ‘common user’ arrangement procedure for Humbug Point Wharf Usage.

Shiploader statistics

There is one travelling/slewing shiploader on both Lorim Point East and Lorim Point West Wharves and details are as follows:

Berth restrictions/maximum vessel sizes

1. Ballast condition, propeller fully immersed with a forward draft not less than 2% of length overall (LOA).
2. Berthing is normally on the flood tide. Ebb tide berthings can also be approved. Berthing is at the discretion of the Regional Harbour Master with regards to weather conditions.  Berthing with a constant wind speed over 30 knots will be individually risk assessed before the terminal will accept.
3. Engines must not be immobilised while alongside the berth without permission from the Regional Harbour Master and terminal operator.  Main engine and propulsion units must be at a state of readiness while alongside the terminal at all times. A permit must be given by the terminal if the engines are to be immobilised while alongside the berth.
4. Sailing is on the flood tide, normally about one hour before HW dependent on berth conditions and location.
5. Minimum static under keel clearance of 0.3m is to be maintained while berthed.
6. Minimum static under keel clearance for Weipa South Channel is 1.2m.
7. Dynamic under keel clearance (DUKC) is in use for vessels departing Lorim Point.  (RTA Terminal Requirements and Transport and Main Roads 2012).

Facilities at the port

Australia’s most northerly coal port, the Port of Abbot Point is located about 25 km north of Bowen, in North Queensland. The port is of significant strategic value to the state, as there are very few locations along Queensland's seaboard where deep water (>15m) is so close inshore.

The port currently has two operational bulk coal loading berths and two shiploaders 2.75 km offshore.

For berthing, the pilot will board in position 19º 48·12’S, 148º 03·6’E (Transport and Main Roads 2013). The ship’s agent should ensure the ship’s details are entered in QShips (VTS) at least seven days prior to the ship’s arrival. For the latest information on berthing, contact the ship’s agent.

Estimated time of arrival

For Estimated Time of Arrival Notices, please email the following information at least ten days before arrival to apbcoalshipping@apt1.com.au:

• name of vessel
• estimated time of arrival
• total cargo quantity required (subject to C/P requirements and allowances)
• hatch loading sequence, pour by pour.

Notes: To avoid delays to berthing and tug cancellations, it is important that all adjustments to ETA are advised to all parties.

• All hatches are to be clean/dry and ready to load
• Hatch covers are to be clearly numbered, for easy identification. No responsibility is attached to shore loading personnel if there is any infringement to this requirement
• All loading is expressed in metric tonnes.

For the latest information on arrival notices, contact the ship’s agent.

Application to berth

The ship’s agent should ensure the ship’s details are entered in QShips (VTS) at least seven days prior to the ship’s arrival. Shipping agents are to communicate changes regarding proposed shipping movements to Abbot Point VTS.

For the latest information on berthing, contact the ship’s agent.

Vessels may communicate with Abbot Point VTS located in Townsville on VHF Channel 12.  Abbot Point VTS will make initial contact with the ship on VHF Channel 12 or the Reef VTS working channel for the area – Channel 14, generally about two hours prior to the pilot boarding time (Maritime Safety Queensland 2015).

Tug services

As demand dictates, up to three tugs will be deployed to service Abbot Point. Specifics at any time can be obtained from Svitzer by telephoning 1300 662 377. Two ASD 80 TBP tugs and one ASD 65 TBP tug are available. Tugs’ lines are always used. The tugs are based in Bowen and take a minimum of 2½ hours and up to 4 hours to reach Abbot Point.

Therefore, Masters are advised to request tugs in sufficient time, particularly taking into account that weather conditions may become unsafe, requiring the ship to move off the wharf (Maritime Safety Queensland 2010).

Measurement figures

Berth 1

The berth length for berth 1 is 268 metres. There are seven breasting dolphins equipped with Bridgestone energy absorbing cell-type rubber fenders. The height of the top of the fenders above datum is about 7.5m and the height of underside of the fenders above the datum is about 0.9m. The berth pocket is 512m long x 70m wide.

Berth 2  

The berth length for berth 2 is approximately 252m. There are seven breasting dolphins equipped with Bridgestone energy absorbing cell-type rubber fenders. The height of the top of the fenders above datum is about 8.05m and the height of underside of the fenders above the datum is about -0.26m. The berth pocket is 480m long x 70m wide.

Commodities traded at each berth

Port of Abbot Point currently has two operational bulk coal loading berths.

Shiploader statistics

Shiploader 1 - Specification

Shiploader 2 – Specification

(Source: Abbot Point Bulk Coal Pty Ltd 2015)

Facilities at the port

Port of Hay Point has two separate coal export terminals: Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal (DBCT) and Hay Point Coal Terminal (HPCT). There are seven berths for both terminals: four at DBCT and three at HPCT.

The Port of Hay Point wharf is 1.8 km offshore. Its berths are owned and operated by BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance. Berth #1 is serviced by a luffing boom gantry with telescopic chute with an average loading capacity of 4,500 tph with a maximum of 6,000 tph. Berth #2 is serviced by a rail mounted shuttle boom with telescopic chute and an average loading capacity of 4,500 tph with a maximum of 6,000 tph.

DBCT is leased from the state government by DBCT Management Pty Ltd. For information regarding those berths, refer to the DBCT Terminal Information Booklet on the DBCT website.

Estimated time of arrival

All Agents, Owners or Masters are required to complete arrival and departure information direct into QSHIPS.

Application to berth

An Application to Berth Form must be received by Hay Point VTS and either DBCT or HPCT no later than 48 hours before the vessel’s estimated pilot boarding time. The ship’s agent will send a blank Application to Berth Form to the vessel, seven to ten days before their arrival.  This ensures up to date documents are always used. Contact your ship’s agent for the latest information on berthing applications at either DBCT or HPCT.

Tug services

Half Tide Tug Harbour is located south of the main berthing facilities at Hay Point and approximately 14km from the intersection of the Bruce Highway and Hay Point Road. The Tug Harbour accommodates the tugs that service DBCT and HPS vessels.

Measurement figures

Note: These figures were correct as at July 2015 (Source: BHP Billiton)

Commodities traded at each berth

The Port of Hay Point is one of the largest coal export ports in the world. The port primarily exports metallurgical coal, a key resource in the steel-making process.

Shiploader statistics

Hay Point Coal Terminal Shiploader 1

Note: This information is correct as at October 2015 (Source: BHP BIliton)

Hay Point Coal Terminal Shiploader 2

Note: This information is correct as at October 2015 (Source: BHP BIliton)

Hay Point Coal Terminal Shiploader 3

Note: This information is correct as at October 2015 (Source: BHP BIliton)