Updated port procedures

17 Dec 2021 / Townsville, Australia

The Port of Townsville has updated its port procedures manual, with the major updates for UKC, Tug and scheduling.

Specifically:

  • Section 4.3 – Townsville Compulsory Pilotage area - described in accordance with Transport Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2021 published on the OQPC website - https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/whole/html/asmade/sl-2021-0157

  • Section 7.3.1 Under Keel Clearance – the deadweight scale of incremental increase in minimum UKC has been abolished - A minimum UKC of 1.3 is required for all ships transiting the Sea and / or Platypus channel.
    NOTE: The Static under keel clearance stated in the table 16 – "Minimum under keel clearances" is the minimum UKC required by the port.
    If the Ships SMS (or their squat calculations) indicate a greater UKC is required than that required by the Port Procedures and Information for Shipping – Port of Townsville, Pilots will make every effort to navigate to the ship's SMS requirements by
    a) Adjusting transiting speed – if safe & practical,
    b) Reschedule berthing if larger tide is required.

  • Section 9.2 Tug Usage Guidelines - the guidelines have been amended to 3 broad categories Less than 120m (meaning 119.99999 m and less), 120m to 145m; & Greater than 145m (meaning 145.000000001 and greater).
    Also important to note – Minimum required is 1 tug across the board.
    The purpose of doing this is too often we have been caught with Masters not declaring relevant defects that may have required Nil tug situations to a tug and then we are scrambling at the last minute to arrange a tug or taking unnecessary risks conducting the pilotage without a tug.
    Tug reductions will be considered. Masters should note mis-declarations may result in cancellation & rescheduling of the movement till a tug is available.

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at [email protected]

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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