Esperance vessel arrival and berthing rules
Appointing a shipping agent
For commercial vessels to use our Ports, the owner must appoint a shipping agent (unless otherwise agreed upon in writing) to act on their behalf in all matters. The Shipping Agent is required to have an account with Southern Ports and access to our Port Management Information System (PMIS).
Shipping agents are responsible for requesting our shipping related services including but not limited to pilots, tugs, line boats, mooring crew as required in accordance with our Ports’ requirements.
Ship vetting
Southern Ports does not provide a ship vetting service and makes no statement as to the suitability of a vessel for its intended trade. If a vessel is seaworthy and is within the parameters specified in this guide with respect to draft, under keel clearance and dimensions, the vessel will be allowed to enter the Port and hire a berth for the purposes of conducting its operations.
If a vessel is unable to provide safe access using its gangway, a launch may be provided subject to the availability of launch crew. When launch services are provided to allow safe access to a vessel, costs will be credited to the account of the vessel.
Booking a berth
At least 14 days prior to a vessels arrival, shipping agents, on behalf of port users, must notify the Scheduling Coordinator (Notice) by emailing [email protected] and must include:
Vessel name;
Vessel type and its estimated loaded draft;
Date and estimated time of arrival at the Port;
Cargo type and tonnage to be loaded or unloaded;
Expected time alongside the berth; and
Name and contact number of the representative of shipping agent, or the person responsible for the vessel.
At least 7 days prior to a vessels arrival, shipping agents must submit a berth application through Southern Ports’ Port Management Information System (PMIS). This application must be completed in full and include the vessel’s date and estimated time or arrival and departure.
Any changes to the vessel, its schedule and expected trade demands must be updated as soon as possible, both in PMIS and direct to the Scheduling Coordinator.
Shipping agents may vary their requested berthing schedules, as long as the Scheduling Coordinator has received at least 72 hours’ notice and provided prior Port approvals.
72 hours prior to a vessel berthing, a shipping agent must notify the Scheduling Coordinator if the vessel wishes to stay at the anchorage point and to not take a scheduled berthing slot, relinquishing its position in the vessel queue. At this time, an updated berthing date and time must be provided.
48 hours prior to berthing, a shipping agent must inform Southern Ports in writing if the cargo handling operations are not able to meet design capacities required. A vessel must use the berth at design capacity which includes having all export cargo available prior to berthing. If a vessel is not able to meet these requirements 48 hours prior to berthing, Southern Ports will then reconsider the berthing order accordingly.
Late berthing changes
Late berthing changes and changes made out of business hours will be subject to the labour availability of stevedoring and marine services. Noting business hours are from 07:30 to 16:00 Monday to Friday in Esperance, Western Australia other than a that is a designated public holiday.
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 Superintendent.
Where there are competing vessels due to arrive at anchorage at similar arrival times, Southern Ports will make a decision on the berthing order with the information available at the time, at least 24 hours prior to arrival and during business hours.
Port maintenance
Berthing rules
Ordering marine services
Requesting services
All marine services required for berthing or unberthing of vessels, including launch hire services, must be ordered through the Scheduling Coordinator during business hours.
Marine Services must be ordered before 1500 the day before they are required.
Availability of marine services will be at the Port’s discretion and any anticipated delays will be communicated to the Shipping Agent.
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.
For more in marine services available, visit our services.
Making amendments
During business hours, Shipping Agents must give the Scheduling Coordinator at least 4 hours’ notice before amending marine services.
Outside business hours, Shipping Agents 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 [email protected]
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 Scheduling Coordinator 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.
Operational urgency
Subject to availability, the Harbour Master or Duty Pilot may, at their discretion, may organise marine services necessary to meet the operational urgency.
Emergencies
In the event of an emergency, the Harbour Master will organise all marine services as a matter of urgency at their absolute discretion.
Vessel warping
If a vessel has to warp forward or aft in order to load all hatches, the following applies:
The Harbour Master must be notified of the intention to move the vessel and must approve the operation before the vessel is warped;
The vessel must not warp more than 10 metres from its original position;
All lines must be on bollards before the vessel is moved;
The vessel must always stay within the dredged berth pocket and must always maintain a UKC of not less than 0.6 metres; and
The Harbour Master may require a Pilot and/or tugs to perform the operation safely. The cost of pilots/mooring crew and/or tugs will be to the account of the vessel. For the most up to date depth visit berths and jetties.
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