Vessels requesting to berth at the Port of Port Hedland must complete a berth application before entering port waters.
The Harbour Master has absolute discretion to determine and change the priority of berthing vessels as he/she sees fit without prior notice or consultation with any party.
Pilbara Ports will not be liable for any loss or damage what or howsoever caused to any party by berthing priority or changes in berthing priority.
Familiarise yourself with the Port of Port Hedland seaward approach before entering the Port Hedland harbour.
Online berth application
Mooring crews at the public berths are provided by:
Private berth owners will provide their own mooring crews.
For the most recent specific instructions on mooring operations, refer to the Port of Port Hedland local marine notices.
Port of Port Hedland local marine notices
Vessels approaching the Port of Port Hedland must do so via the shipping fairway and prior to entering the Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) area, must call Port Hedland VTS on VHF Ch12 confirming ETA and arrival draft.
All arriving vessels, including vessels anchoring outside VTS limits, must pass within a 2.5nm radius of the First Reporting Point (19° 57.21’S, 118° 28.50’E) to ensure automatic registration (via AIS) of having arrived at Port Hedland.
It is a requirement that all vessels must carry fully approved and updated paper charts and / or ECDIS, in accordance with the vessel’s Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate.
The primary approach is via the Eastern route (chart Aus 53) between Sarus Towers (2E/3E) where the depth is 10.5m at chart datum. UKC restrictions of 2.5m apply and are to be maintained by all vessels. The main shipping channel may be used for inward shipping movements under pilotage, only after prior approval from the Harbour Master.
Mariners are advised that the main shipping channel is a unidirectional (one-way) channel, primarily to be used by laden deep draft vessels departing from the Port of Port Hedland, under pilotage.
Vessels not constrained by draft may exit the main shipping channel via pre-determined exit points under pilotage. Vessel’s must then depart Port Hedland via the eastern route between Sarus Towers (2E / 3E) while complying with the UKC restrictions.
Vessels are encouraged to download the relevant pilotage routes for use with their ECDIS.
Pilotage routes for vessels