Berth Facilities
Port Chalmers (Lower Harbour) Berths
Port Chalmers has three berths, suitable for handling containerised, multipurpose, and conventional vessels. Berthing flexibility is guaranteed by a swinging basin dredged to 13.5 metres, with a turning diameter of 487 metres.
Fairway to Port Chalmers Basin declared at 13.5m (at chart Datum)
Berth details - Lower Harbour - as at August 2022:
| BERTH | LENGTH | ALIGNMENT | APPROACH DEPTH | BERTH POCKET | MINIMUM UKC AT BERTH | MAXIMUM STATIC DRAFT AT BERTH | WHARF HEIGHT (CD) |
| C/T | 300m | 042/222 | 13.5m | 13.9m | 0.4m | 13.5m | 4.6m |
|
M/P |
431m |
020/200 |
13.5m |
14.0m |
0.4m |
13.6m |
4.6m |
| Beach | 412m | 073/253 | 13.5m | 11.5m | 0.3m | 11.2m | 4.6m |
- The Berth depths and permissible draughts are based on depths below Chart Datum i.e. Zero tide.
Dunedin (Upper Harbour) Berths
Tankers, fishing vessels, bulk carriers and smaller conventional vessels are the principal users. The channel between Port Chalmers and Dunedin is capable of handling vessels of up to 185 metres LOA, 8.0 metres draught and 32.3 metres beam. Vessels in excess of 150 metres LOA can transit in daylight only.
The Dunedin wharves are adjacent to the cold storage industry established to service the meat, dairy, fishing and horticultural exports of the region.
In addition to the Dunedin wharves, the Ravensbourne fertiliser pier is located between Port Chalmers and Dunedin.
Upper Harbour Channel Depth declared at 8.50m (at chart Datum)
Beacon #67 to turning basin 7.70m (at chart Datum)
(Constraining depth for Upper Harbour transits)
Berth details - Upper Harbour - as at August 2022:
| BERTH | LENGTH | ALIGNMENT | APPROACH DEPTH | BERTH POCKET | MINIMUM UKC AT BERTH | MAXIMUM STATIC DRAFT AT BERTH | WHARF HEIGHT (CD) |
| Victoria T/U | 177m | 042/222 | 6.5m | 8.0m | 0.3m | 7.7m | 4.6m |
| Victoria (CM) | 120m | 042/222 | 5.7m | 7.1m | 0.3m | 6.8m | 4.6m |
| Victoria X/Y 193 x 25 m | 220m | 042/222 | 7.7m | 7.7m | 0.3m | 7.4m | 4.6m |
| Oil Jetty Basin Dia 260m | 214m | 089/269 | 7.7m | 8.8m | 0.3m | 8.5m | 4.6m |
| Leith 200 x 35m | 153m | 089/269 | 7.7m | 8.4m |
0.3m |
8.1m | 3.8m |
| LPG | 62m | 104/284 | 7.0m | 6.5m | 0.3m | 6.2m | 3.9m |
| Ravensbourne | 149m | 073/253 | 7.7m | 8.2m | 0.3m | 7.9m | 4.4m |
| Birch St | 310m | 084/264 | 4.5m | 6.7m | 0.3m | 6.4m | 4.7m |
| Rattray * | 397m | 084/264 | 4.5m | 4.2m | 0.3m | 3.9m | 4.6m |
** Vessel departing directly from the Oil Jetty, Leith Wharf and when berthed port side alongside X/Y berth will apply the following depths; Oil Jetty – 7.7m, X/Y berth – 7.7m, Leith Wharf - 7.7m
N.B Prior to any movements to the berths refers to the latest sounding chart for the most recent sounding details. Actual soundings may differ from the official NZ 6612 chart.
Berths marked with * are historical data.
Based on Dunedin Basin Soundings dated AUG 2022.
The following table outlines the Static UKC values within Port Otago navigable channels:
|
AREA |
STATIC UKC ALLOWANCE |
|
Channel for Vessel other than Tankers and Bulk Carriers >30.5m beam |
>10% of draught or 0.8 m |
|
Tankers, and Bulk Carriers >30.2m Beam or >180m LOA - Victoria Channel |
1.25 m |
|
Dunedin Area – South of Beacon No. 67 |
0.6 m |
Maximum Wharf Loadings
Port Otago wharves and jetties have limited loading capacities. Exceeding these capacities can result in damage or even collapse. A Heavy Loading Permit must be obtained in the following situations:
- T&U Wharf, Leith Wharf, Birch Street Wharf and X&Y Wharf: access by vehicles with single axle weights greater than 8.2t and all crane operations.
- Kitchener Wharf and Rattray Wharf: No heavy traffic or crane loading is permitted.
- All other Port Otago wharves: Crane operations and vehicles exceeding general access mass limits.
Applications should be submitted at least 48 hours prior to any proposed heavy load or crane operation. Access or lifts must not be carried out until countersigned approval has been received from Port Otago Limited.
If uncertain, contact Port Otago Limited on 03 472 7890 prior to placing any load onto a wharf or jetty.