Harbour Control

Darwin Port is responsible for the efficient operations and control of vessel traffic entering, transiting and departing the Port of Darwin

Darwin Harbour Control provides a continuous traffic organisation service to monitor the movement of participating vessels within the Port of Darwin, to facilitate the safe and efficient passage of ships and to protect the environment and infrastructure of the port.

The traffic organisation service is based on information from radar, closed-circuit television, automatic identification systems (AIS) and VHF radio. All information sources and communications are recorded.

Darwin Harbour Control is operated to the standards set by the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA).

When VHF radio is used between vessels for the purpose of discussing and agreeing special passing arrangements in order to remove the risk of collision, such communications shall be conducted on channel10 to ensure that Darwin Harbour Control and other port users are aware of each vessel’s intention.

Darwin Harbour Control maintains a continuous listening watch on channels 16 (Distress, Safety and Calling) and 10 (primary port operations working channel) - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

All vessels required to report to Darwin harbour control shall always maintain a listening watch on channels 16 and 10.

Additionally, all other vessels operating within the port limits shall maintain a listening watch on channel 10 whilst underway or at anchor.

VHF channels utilised within the port and their primary use is listed below.

Contact Harbour Control (24 hours)

Phone: +61 (8) 8919 0821
Email: HarbourControl@darwinport.com.au

Ship Scheduling

Ship scheduling services are conducted by the Darwin Port shipping scheduler.

Notification of Arrival (NOA) and pilot bookings should be lodged no later than 24 hours prior to the required service time, and between the hours of 0700 (7:00 AM) and 1500 (3:00 PM) Monday to Friday. Requests for pilotage services should be made no later than 1400 (2:00 pm) on the day prior to the required service. Harbour control officers monitor NOA and pilotage requests outside of these hours and on public holidays.

Up to date shipping movement information can be found at portinfo.darwinport.com.au/webx

Contact Shipping Scheduler (7:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday to Friday)

Phone: +61 (8) 8919 0870
Email: shipping@darwinport.com.au

VHF Communications

VHF Channel	Used for	Primary use
06	Frances Bay Mooring Basin Lockmaster	Communications with vessels entering or leaving Frances Bay Mooring Basin
08	Tipperary Waters Lockmaster	Communications with vessels entering or leaving Tipperary Waters marina
09	Darwin LNG	Wickham Point operations
10	All vessels	Darwin Harbour Control working channel and primary port operations
11	Cullen Bay Lockmaster	Communication with vessels entering and leaving Cullen Bay marine
12 and 13	Tugs	Ship manoeuvring with the assistance of tugs
14 and 69	Naval vessels	Navy port working frequency
16	All vessels	[International] distress, safety and calling
17	Hudson Creek	Ship-to-shore channel for vessels working in Hudson Creek
67	All vessels	Darwin Harbour Control weather and notices to mariners information channel (0703 & 1903)
68	Bayview Marina Lockmaster	Communications with vessels entering or leaving Bayview marina
72	All vessels	Ship to Ship, Customs and Quarantine
73	Yachts	Yacht racing and Regattas
74	Darwin Marine Supply Base	Darwin Marine Supply Base operations
88	INPEX LNG	Bladin Point operations