PORT OF ESPERANCE BERTHING
The Southern Ports Authority, Port of Esperance ship scheduling is completed by the
Shipping Officer (Shipping Officer) who administers the arrival and departure of all vessels
and all vessel bookings at the Port of Esperance (Port) in accordance with the following
berthing rules (Rules).
All shipping agents and Port users (together, Port Users) must obtain prior approval of the
Shipping Officer for any vessel to use the Port to enable the Shipping Officer to coordinate
all vessel movements in the Port safely and efficiently.
This document outlines the process for Port Users to request approval from the Shipping Officer
for vessel arrivals, scheduling vessel movements and ordering marine services in the Port.
Notwithstanding anything in these Rules, the Port and the Shipping Officer may, in their
absolute discretion and for whatever reason, vary the scheduled arrival, departure or
movement of any vessel or the provision of marine services in the Port. The Port shall not be
responsible for or liable to any Port User in any way whatsoever for any action taken by the
Port.
- COMMUNICATION WITH PORT
At least 14 days prior to a vessel’s arrival, Port Users must notify the Shipping Officer
(Notice). That Notice must be emailed to shipping.operations@southernports.com.au
and must include:- the vessel’s name
- the vessel type and its estimated loaded draft;
- the date and estimated time of arrival at the Port;
- the cargo type and tonnage to be loaded or unloaded;
- the expected time alongside the berth; and
- the name and contact number of the representative or shipping agent or the
person responsible for the vessel.
- At least 7 days prior to a vessel’s arrival, Port Users must submit a berth application
through the Port website. The berth application must be completed in full and
include the vessel’s date and estimated time of arrival and departure - Port Users must update the berth application daily on the Port website and by
emailing the Shipping Officer at shipping.operations@southernports.com.au - Provided that they have given the Shipping Officer at least 72 hours’ notice and
obtained prior Port approval, Port Users may agree between themselves to vary the
berthing schedule. - If a vessel wishes to stay at the anchorage point and not take a scheduled berth, the
Port User must notify the Shipping Officer of their preferred berth date and time at
least 72 hours prior to berthing. - Late berthing changes and changes made out of Business Hours will be subject to the
labour availability of stevedoring and marine services. Business hours are from
07:30 to 16:00 Monday to Friday in Esperance, Western Australia other than a day
that is a designated public holiday (Business Hours). - All changes to vessel arrival or departure times made out of business hours must
follow the ordering process outlined below and must be approved by the Duty Pilot
and the Port Shift Terminal Supervisor.
PRIORITY BERTHING
A vessel may be given priority berthing at the Port’s sole discretion where:
- It has provided the Port with a schedule of its expected arrival and departure times
at least 14 days in advance. - It has adhered to its arrival and departure times and is able to utilize the berth at its
nominated arrival time. - In the case of loading, the vessel and cargo have been cleared to commence loading
and loading can take place around-the-clock and at the design capacity of the
loading equipment. - In the case of unloading, the vessel and cargo have been cleared to commence
unloading and unloading can take place around-the-clock and at the design capacity
of the unloading equipment. - If the Port allows a non-grain vessel to berth at or encroach upon Berth 1, upon the
arrival of a grain vessel, the non-grain vessel must cease operations as soon as
possible (in any case within 24 hours) and vacate the berth at their own cost as
directed by the Port. - Notwithstanding anything in these Rules, cruise liner vessels may only berth in the
Port if there is an available berth and it does not impact any other Port User.
PORT MAINTENANCE
- The Shipping Officer will provide Port Users with as much notice as possible
regarding Port maintenance and, at the beginning of each calendar year, will provide
Port Users with the scheduled maintenance plan for the year.
ORDERING
- All marine services required for berthing or unberthing of vessels, including launch
hire services, must be ordered through the Shipping Office during Business Hours. - Marine Services must be ordered at least 4 hours prior to being required.
- Availability of marine services will be at the Port’s discretion and any anticipated
delays will be communicated to the Port User. - Marine services required outside Business Hours must be ordered during Business
Hours prior to being required. - Launch hire services (such as, surveys, crew changes, linesmen and pilots etc.) will
only be carried out on the basis that there is no adverse impact on the business of
the Port.
AMENDMENTS
- During Business Hours, Port Users must give the Shipping Officer at least 4 hours
notice before amending marine services. - Outside business hours, Port Users must give the Duty Pilot and the Port Shift
Terminal Supervisor at least 6 hours’ notice and must do so:- at 2000 hours on normal business days; and
- at 0900, 1630 or 2000 hours on weekends and public holidays.
- Amendments on the day of service for any marine services required for berthing or
unberthing, including launch hire services, must be made by telephone to the Duty
Pilot and the Port Shift Terminal Supervisor and followed up by email to
shipping.operations@southernports.com.au - The earliest notification time for amendment of services on business days is 0730
hours and on non-business days is 0900 hours. - During Business Hours, if a vessel is ready to berth or depart before the scheduled
time, the Shipping Officer may, at their discretion and subject to the availability of
marine services, amend the berthing or departing time. - Outside Business Hours, if a vessel is ready to berth or depart before the scheduled
time the Duty Pilot may, at its discretion and subject to the availability of marine
services, amend the berthing or departing time.
EMERGENCIES
- In the event of an emergency, the Harbour Master will organise all marine services
as a matter of urgency and at its absolute discretion.
OPERATIONAL URGENCY
- In the event of operational urgency, subject to availability the Harbour Master or the
Duty Pilot may, at their discretion, organise marine services necessary to meet a
customer’s requirements.
CONTACT DETAILS
To order or amend marine services:
- During business hours, please contact the Port Office on 08 9072 3327;
- Out of business hours, please contact the Duty Pilot and the Port Shift Terminal
Supervisor on 0447 838 290; - For marine emergencies, please contact the Duty Pilot on:
Kilian Ekin - 0436 843 926
Stephen Dickason – 0417 226 268
Michael Rowe – 0407 603 639
- For other port emergencies, please call the 24 hour port number 0428 712 111.