General Description

Location

The Port of Esperance is located at:
Latitude 33° 51′ South, Longitude 121° 53′ East.

The Port is described as being all that water within a radius of 10 nautical miles from the western breakwater of Bandy Creek.

The Port is located on the northeastern side of Dempster Head. It is sheltered from the south by a 1200 metre breakwater. The channel and turning basin for Berths 1 and 2 cover 27ha and is dredged to 14.5 metres. No. 3 Berth and channel is dredged to 19.0 metres.

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Seaward Approaches

Vessels normally approach Esperance Port from the West via the Causeway Channel. Approaches from the East are not recommended.

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Anchorage

Anchorage is available in a position with the Breakwater Light bearing 245° (T) x 1.5 nautical miles. Holding ground is moderate to good with a sand bottom.

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Pilotage

Pilotage is compulsory except where Exemption Certificates are held. Pilot boards 1 nautical mile north-east of Cull Island. Pilot ladder and ancillary equipment must comply with international regulations. Lee to be provided against swell. ETAs to be sent via Shipping Agent seven days, four days, 48 and 24 hours before arrival. VHF Channel 16-Pilot boat and base set. Base set not manned continuously but may be contacted one hour before arrival. Pilot boat painted yellow with black rubbing band and white deck house. Word "Pilot" painted on both sides of house.

Esperance is a 24 hour Port.

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Berths

Two land-backed berths at Esperance have a combined continuous berthface of 457 metres. A third dolphin-type berth is located on the main breakwater.

Number 1 Berth

Number 1 Berth is 244 metres long. Depth alongside is 14.5 metres. Depth in the harbour and swinging basin is 14.5 metres. Indicative limitations on ships operating onto Number 1 Berth have a loaded draft of 13.20 metres, LOA 225 metres. All limitations are subject to the discretion of the Harbour Master who, subject to weather, tide, ship configuration etc. may permit variations to these limitations. Draft will not exceed 14.0 metres at any time. Panamax vessels can be accommodated on No. 1 Berth, but movements are restricted to daylight hours. Vessels normally berth port side alongside.

Co-operative Bulk Handling operates a grain loader over Number 1 Berth with a nominal loading rate of 2500 tonnes per hour using two spouts.

Number 2 Berth

Number 2 Berth is 213 metres long. Depth alongside is 14.5 metres. Max LOA 225 metres, draft 13.20 metres with the Harbour Master's discretion similarly applicable. Draft will not exceed 14.0 metres at any time. Vessels normally berth port side alongside.

A bulk ore loader with load rates of 600 tph (Nickel concentrates) and 2000 tph (Iron Ore) is situated on this berth. Iron Ore is no longer loaded at this berth since the commissioning of No. 3 Berth.

Fuel is discharged at Number 2 Berth via a pipeline owned by the Port Authority. The 360mm pipeline is connected to the fuel storage facility some three kilometres from the Port.

Bulk fertilizer products are also discharged at Number 2 Berth using ships gear and grabs discharging through mobile hopper into road vehicles. A rate of 100 tonnes per hour per grab is normally achieved.

Number 3 Berth

Number 3 Berth is 230 metres long. Depth alongside is 19.0 metres. Max LOA 290 metres, draft 17.8 metres with any tidal increase at the Harbour Master's discretion. Draft will not exceed 18.0 metres at any time. Iron Ore loading rates of up to 4500 tonnes per hour are obtained by a travelling shiploader with an outreach suitable for vessel beams of up to 47 metres. Vessels berth starboard side alongside.

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Tugs

Three tugs are available:

Cape Pasley 65 tonnes bollard pull
Shoal Cape 68 tonnes bollard pull
Cape Le Grand II 30 tonnes bollard pull

Tugs are allocated at the Harbour Master's discretion.

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Cargo Handling Capabilities

Please also note that a Health Message is required at the first Port of entry from overseas. This is to be despatched within the period 12 and 24 hours prior to arrival at the first Port of entry and to advise the following information:

  1. Name of vessel and E.T.A.
  2. Last Port of call.
  3. Date of Departure.
  4. Number of Crew on Board.
  5. Number of passengers on board (if any).
  6. Details of any sickness.
  7. Ballast water details.

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Radio

Perth radio call sign VIP (continuous). Port VHF limited to Channels 16, 12, 6, 9, and 67. Call sign "Esperance Harbour". Range 40 - 60 nautical miles.

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Land Availability

Stockpile areas and shed space may be available within the Port area on application to the Esperance Port Authority.

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Services Available

The following equipment is owned and operated by the Port Authority:

  • 1 x P & H Omega 20 All Terrain Crane - 18 tonne capacity.
  • 1 x Cranvel 8 tonne mobile crane.
  • 1 x Front-end loader with 3 cubic metre bucket.
  • 1 x Compressor 300 cubic feet of air/minute
  • 1 x Toyota Skid Steer loader with optional broom attachment.

The Port Authority has a modern workshop with a comprehensive range of light engineering equipment.

Watchmen, security patrol, laundry and dry cleaning services are available and can be arranged through ship agents.

The Esperance Port Authority collects and disposes of all garbage. All garbage on overseas ships is required to be collected and burnt by the Authority unless the vessel is exempted by the Quarantine Inspector.

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Consuls

There is no consular representation at Esperance.

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