The approach by sea to Port Taranaki is safe and easily navigable, with an open roadstead and anchorage in 18-22 metres of water. Inside the harbour the approach fairways provide a swinging basin of up to 418 metres, and a maximum port draft of 12.5 metres. Vessels can be berthed in most weathers, but ship drafts in excess of 9.5 metres depend on tide. Tidal range is 1.7 to 3.9 metres.

Port Taranaki Instructions

• Port Guide - Information for Ship Masters, PEC Holders and Ship Agents 2019 (PRO-0190)

Maritime Instructions

Provides information to assist Masters of ships visiting New Zealand in preparing their voyage plan as required by SOLAS V Regulation 34.

• Maritime Instruction for Masters of Foreign Ships - Link to external Maritime Website. 

Soundings

Harbour and berth soundings are regularly checked by the Port Hydrographer. These soundings are not to be used for navigational purposes.

• PTL Harbour Base Contour Soundings  - Nov 2018
• PTL Harbour Base Bathymetry Soundings - Sept 2018

Night Berthing

Night berthing operations may be restricted in wind conditions in excess of 20 knots and require the vessel's radar and speed measuring devices to be operational.

DUKC: Dynamic Under Keel Clearance

Vessels over 10m draft require Dynamic Under Keel Clearance (DUKC) or Harbour Master approval. Berth restrictions may apply.

The following procedures are effective when assessing maximum draft for vessels transiting and berthing at Port Taranaki.
Maximum Draft for Vessels

Berth Parameters

The following table details the maximum dimensions allowed at each of the port's berths.

Please refer to Port Guide - Information for Ships Masters, PEC Holders and Ship Agents 2019 (Section 1.3) for more detailed specifactions on the maximum vessel sizes.

Transits - Arrivals and Departures

Note 1: Severe weather may significantly modify these parameters which define fair-weather conditions only.

Note 2: DUKC transits with vessels in the lower range of drafts in excess of 10.0m may well be undertaken at any time, particularly during neap tides, but otherwise some height of tide may be required to undertake the transit.

Note 3: Final DUKC transit drafts are dependant on real time calculations that can only be undertaken within 24 – 36 hours of the actual transit. METOCEAN modelling indicates that transits should be possible at 12.5m for 95% - 97% of all High Waters.

Communications

Prior to arrival, the notification times for a vessel are:

• 24 hours: Vessel Arrival Information Sheet and information for Port Security
• containing ETA, draught, LOA, cargo, dangerous goods and status of navigational equipment, to be faxed.
• 8 hours: ETA update to be faxed.
• 6 hours: Firm notice of arrival time at Pilot Boarding Ground (and request for Pilot on Board time)
• 2 hours: Confirm ETA on VHF channels 61 or 16.
• Oil and chemical tankers must send cargo details 48 hours prior to arrival. All radio and fax communications and inquiries should be addressed to 'New Plymouth Harbour Radio'
• email: marineservices@porttaranaki.co.nz
• Port control frequency is VHF channel 12.

Pilotage

Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels of more than 100m in length or 100GRT. 

The pilot ladder is required to be rigged as directed by New Plymouth Harbour Radio or the Pilot Vessel.

Moorings

Generally, vessels are turned and berthed heading to sea unless prior arrangements are made. Due to possible surge movement in the harbour, Port Taranaki supplies ShoreTension, when deemed appropriate, which will be deployed as a supplement to ships lines to reduce loads on mooring lines.