Ashburton (AUASB)

The port handles breakbulk, Ro-Ro Freight, LNG and petroleum products. The port also houses the recently developed 'Onslow Iron Project' which completed its first transhipment in May 2024. The project, operated by MinRes, will see iron ore transported by autonomous fully covered road trains from the Ken's Bore mine to the Port of Ashburton. The 150km journey is taken along a dedicated haul road and delivered to the 220,000t negative pressure storage facility within the port limits. The iron ore is then sent to ABS-classed transhipper barges via a covered conveyor to then be transferred to bulk carriers anchored in the STS area 40km off the Pilbara coast. By 2025, the project is scheduled to ship approx 35,000,000t/y with an expected life at Ken's Bore mine of 30 plus years.

South Indian Ocean Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical May 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Apr 30.

The port is located approximately 12 kilometres SW of Port of Onslow and 131 nautical miles West South West of the Port of Dampier in Western Australia's Pbara region.

LOA 300.03m, draught 12.2m, beam 52m, 120,000DWT.

Approx. 11,900,000t of cargo (of which 10,055,500t is LNG, 1,356,600t is condensate, 226,100t is iron ore and 261,800t is 'other') and 1,300 vessels handled annually.

A4: 21° 32.310' S 114° 57.453' E A5: 21° 32.316' S 114° 57.943' E A6: 21° 32.777' S 114° 57.446' E A7: 21° 32.783' S 114° 57.937' E A8: 21° 32.322' S 114° 58.432' E A9: 21° 32.789' S 114° 58.426' E

Route 1: It is recommended that vessels approaching the Port of Ashburton from the West or North pass North East of Bessieres Island (21°31.5’S 114°46.0’E) to position 21°32.0’S 114°50.0’E, thence approach the port and the designated anchorage on an Easterly course. Route 2: It is required that all LNG & Condensate vessels approach the port from the North East, transiting the Port of Onslow South of Airlie Island.

AUS64, AUS328. Admiralty Pilot NP13, NP286(4)

There are no ‘cyclone’ moorings for vessels located within the Port of Ashburton. Currently Cyclone moorings are located outside the port limits in Mangrove Passage area, which are controlled by the DoT.

In the Port of Onslow, pilotage is compulsory for all vessels greater than 35m LOA, unless the Master has been issued with a PEC by the DoT Harbour Master for the Port of Onslow. Vessels of greater than 35m LOA, which intend to use Route 2 for approaching the port of Ashburton must get prior approval from the DoT Harbour Master to transit Port of Onslow waters without a Pilot. LNG and Condensate vessels approaching the port of Ashburton via the Port of Onslow must follow the directions of Wheatstone Pilots and provide the DoT Harbour Master with the required notification. An agreement exists between Wheatstone Pilots and DoT Harbour Master for LNG and Condensate vessels transiting through Port of Onslow, under the directions of the Wheatstone pilots. Pilot Boarding Ground: There are 2 Pilot boarding grounds for the Port of Ashburton. Pilot Boarding Ground ‘A’ (PBG - A) is located at Latitude 21 degrees 26.2 minutes South and Longitude 115 degrees 07 minutes East outside the Port of Ashburton waters (in the adjacent Port of Onslow waters) and is for LNG and Condensate vessels proceeding to the Wheatstone Marine Terminal (WMT). Pilot Boarding Ground ‘B’ (PBG - B) is located south of the anchorages and north of the compulsory pilot boarding grounds in position Latitude 21 degrees 35.85 minutes South and Longitude 115 degrees 00.5 minutes East. This is used for vessels that will be proceeding to the MOF. Both the pilot boarding grounds are located outside the compulsory pilotage area. The locations of the pilot boarding grounds are shown on the below chartlet. Vessels that require a pilot must note the pilot’s instructions promulgated through Ashburton VTS. The pilot will board a vessel at sea by pilot boat.

Turning circle diameter: 600m for the Chevron Berth and 225m for MOF access channel.

Spring: 1.69m, Neap: 0.51m

Cargo vessels engaging in cargo transportation for the MOF berths are required to be assisted by 2 tugs. Tugs are used to deliver the ABS-classed transhipper barges to the STS area 40km off the Pilbara coast.

During the summer months conditions are very hot with average daily temperatures of 39 degrees Celsius. Prevailing winds in the summer are from the south west. Mornings are typically calm with winds increasing throughout the day and into the evening. The winter season experiences warm conditions, with daily temperatures reaching an average of 30 degrees Celsius. Winds prevail from the east south east, peaking in the morning before easing in the late afternoon. Occasionally, the Port of Ashburton can experience long periods of strong easterly winds (lasting for a few days). Thunderstorms and associated squall activity occur in the region, mainly in the summer months. Storms may interrupt port operations. Whilst wind strengths can be significant, usually they are of very short duration. The Port of Ashburton is located within the cyclone belt. Annually tropical cyclone events impact the area on an average of three to five times during which time port operations will be interrupted. The annual cyclone season extends from 1 November until 30 April.

Call sign: Ashburton VTS VHF Ch 14 and 16. Port of Dampier Vessel Traffic Service Centre: Landline phone +61 8 9159 6556 (Available 24hrs, 7 days) Mobile phone: +61 (0) 428 888 800 (if unable to connect to above landline)

Request for pilotage is to include the following information: -Vessel’s name and call sign -Master’s name -Estimated Time of Arrival at Port of Ashburton (PBG-A or PBG-B) -Lloyd’s Register/IMO (International Maritime Organisation) number -Draught forward and aft, plus LOA (length overall) -Number of crew on board -Confirmation that all navigation equipment is working satisfactorily -Destination and purpose of operations within the Port of Ashburton -Details of any hazardous cargo -Any mechanical defects or outstanding inspection deficiencies -Details of Pilot Exemption Certificate (if Master is pilot exempt for the Port of Ashburton) -Declaration of security level

24 hours prior to arrival, confirmation should be provided to Dampier VTS that the bridge, manoeuvring, pilot boarding and mooring equipment are operational. Dampier.vts@pilbaraports.com.au