Kouaoua (NCKOU)

The Port of Kouaoua, located on the eastern coast of New Caledonia, serves as a vital hub for the export of nickel ore, primarily sourced from the nearby Mea quarry. One of the features of the Port of Kouaoua is its connection to the Mea quarry via the "Serpentine," the longest curvilinear conveyor in the world. Commissioned in 1979, the 11km conveyor system transports nickel ore from the quarry to the port. In addition to servicing the Mea quarry, the Port of Kouaoua also accommodates exports from several smaller peripheral deposits in the region. Vessels are required to moor at the numerous mooring pontoons located throughout the port. These pontoons provide secure mooring options, ensuring that vessels can safely load and unload cargo while minimising the impact of wind and wave action.

South Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Apr 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Mar 31.

Kouaoua is located in Baie de Kouaoua, on the E coast of New Caledonia.

Max harbour: LOA 161m, beam 26m, draught 8.7m and 28,428DWT. Max offshore: LOA 199.99m, draught 13.4m and 66,560DWT.

Large ore carriers anchor 0.4nm off Pointe Pentecost in depths of 20.0m, ground mud. Vessels in these anchorages are loaded by lighters. Vessels unable to find room in Baie de Kouaoua should anchor in Baie Laugier in depths of 28m. Anchorage also may be obtained 0.45nm S of Pointe Me Kauciri; the swinging room in this anchorage is restricted. Coral heads in the vicinity of the anchorage are marked by red buoys. Vessels with a draught of less than 9.0m may anchor a little farther S. Small vessels may obtain anchorage NE of the mouth of the S tributary of Riviere Kouaoua, protected from E through to S to W in depths of 6.0-8.0m, in good holding, mud. ..... Designated Anchorage Lat Long Remarks K1 21°22'31.2''S 160°50'01.2''E Depth 12-22m, 0.2nm swing radius K2 21°22'10.8''S 160°50'14.4''E Depth 23-26m, 0.2nm swing radius K3 21°21'46.2''S 160°50'30.0''E Depth 22-29m, 0.25nm swing radius Note: Arrival and departure from the anchorage is permitted throughout 24hrs.

Entering the bay, the route is as follows: W of a buoy (port hand) marking the edge of the coastal reef fringing a salient point on the E side of the bay, then E of a buoy (starboard hand) marking a 6.6m patch, lying 0.3nm S of the same point.

BA 339, 936, 2928. French 6529, 6553. Admiralty Pilot NP61.

1025.

No berthing or sailing is permitted at night from Berth No 1. Vessels are required to moor at the numerous mooring pontoons located at Berth No 1. These pontoons provide secure mooring options, ensuring that vessels can safely load and unload cargo while minimising the impact of wind and wave action.

Pilotage arrangements are made at Noumea, pilots are compulsory and available throughout 24 hours. Houailou Western Passage: Official entrance for E coast ports: Moneo (Baie Ugue) - Poro - Kouaoua - Canala (Boakaine) - Nakety - Thio. Entrance width 1.5nm, clear of obstructions. Pilot boarding ground: 21°09.1'S., 165°44.4'E, 0.8nm E of green buoy marking W side of entrance. Pilot launch "Sir Frederick Samson" is based at Poro, 9.5nm from Houailou Passage. Pilots listen on VHF Ch 16 and 12, one hour before vessel's arrival.

A shoal flat extends from the W shore. It is also worth stating that the head of the bay is foul for about 1.3nm from the mouth of a stream which discharges into it. There are also some shoals in the bay, which are marked by buoys. Depths within the harbour may be less than chartered due to the silting that may occur.

Range 1.35m (semi-diurnal).

There are no tugs for berthing, however two mooring launches are available.

Prevailing winds: NE'ly-SE'ly Jul-Nov (reaches max at approx 1400hrs).

..... Noumea contact info Radio RT (HF) 2182kHz, 4125kHz, 6215kHz. WT 500kHz Distress and calling contact info VHF Ch 16 Pilot contact info VHF Ch 12

Customs allowances: The allowances for officers and crew are 200 cigarettes or 500gm of rolling tobacco and 1 bottle of alcohol. Penalties for non compliance are fines of the value of the local resale price of the goods. Immigration: There are no specific Immigration procedures and formalities at the port. Agent liaises with the relevant authorities.

The following forms are supplied by the vessel's agent for completion: ..... Document 1. General Information 2. Health Declaration The forms are either delivered onboard on arrival or mailed to the vessel's previous port The following can be completed on the ship's own forms or should be in the Master's possession: 1. Clearance from previous port of call 2. Port of Call List 3. Crew List 4. List of Crew's Personal Effects 5. Passenger List (even if nil) 6. Vaccination List (crew & passengers) 7. Provisions List 8. Bonded Stores List 9. Narcotics List 10. Arms & Ammunitions List (even if nil) 11. Plants & Animals List The above forms are for Customs, Immigration and agency.

Initial ETA should be sent 48 hours prior to arrival with further ETA sent 24 hours before arrival. Further messages should be sent if requested. The ETA message, in addition to date and time of arrival, should also include the passage to be used for entering (if applicable), LOA, draughts forward and aft, number of crew and passengers, Master's name, flag, port of arrival and port of destination.

The French flag is to be displayed whilst the vessel is in port. Vessels not complying may be subject to a fine at the Custom's discretion.

There are no specific regulations but the Master should be advised by the agent.

Pratique accorded by pilot when boarding. Application can be made through the vessel's agent or through the Harbour Master. The port has no special health regulations but the crew should be healthy and there should be no notifiable disease onboard. Ship Sanitation Control Certificates can be renewed.

NOR should be handed to the agent on berthing or at the anchorage.