HMDs & Port Information Guide

Port of Melbourne

The Harbour Master’s Directions for the port of Melbourne and Port Information Guide for the port waters of the port of Melbourne contain information and provide advice and guidance to ship’s masters, shipping agents and owners to facilitate the safe and efficient operation of shipping within the port waters of the port of Melbourne.

Harbour Master’s Directions

This document informs about:

  • the role of the port authority
  • the functions of the Harbour Master
  • the regulations and practices that govern vessel operations
  • Vessel Traffic Services operation
  • anchorages, channels and berths, port services and tides
  • procedures and requirements for aquatic event advices.

Current edition

View or download the Harbour Master’s Directions Edition 13.1, effective from 29 September 2023 (PDF)

Edition 13.1 supersedes all previous versions. All details are correct at the time of publication but may be subject to variation.

View or download table of major changes in Edition 13.1 (PDF)

Port Information Guide

This document, which should be read in conjunction with Harbour Master’s Directions, conforms to the format recommended by the International Harbour Masters’ Association and provides general information and guidance for the masters of seagoing vessels, ships’ agents and other interested parties on all aspects of port operations and the navigation of commercial vessels in port waters of the port of Melbourne.

The 5th Edition is effective from 2 March 2022 and supersedes all previous versions. All details are correct at the time of publication but may be subject to variation.

View or download the Port Information Guide 5th Edition from the links below:

Diagrams and chartlets from the 5th Edition of the Port Information Guide for the port of Melbourne (Files are all PDFs)

Page 24       Diagram 3(a) West Gate Bridge

Page 25        Diagram 3(b) Bolte Bridge

Page 30        Diagram 3(f) Swanson Dock berths and chainage marks

Page 31        Diagram 3(g) Station Pier general arrangement plan

Page 32        Diagram 3(h) Gellibrand Pier recommended mooring arrangements for
                       large tankers

Page 32        Diagram 3(i) Gellibrand Pier recommended mooring arrangements for
                       Aframax tankers

Page 33        Diagram 3(j) Gellibrand Pier recommended mooring arrangements for
                       Panamax tankers

Page 33        Diagram 3(k) Gellibrand Pier recommended mooring arrangements for
                       Medium Range tankers

Page 38        Chartlet 3(m) Distance table

Page 39        Chartlet 3(n) Webb swing basin

Page 40        Chartlet 3(o) Main shipping channels at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay

Page 57        Chartlet 5(a) VTS sectors

Page 58        Chartlet 5(b) VTS reporting points, Lonsdale sector

Page 59        Chartlet 5(c) VTS reporting points, approaches to Melbourne

For more information contact:

Navigation Services Melbourne
T +61 3 9644 9758
E NavigationServices@ports.vic.gov.au

Harbour Master's Directions and Port Information Guides for the ports of Geelong and Hastings

HMDs & Port Information Guide - Geelong HMDs & Port Operating Handbook - Hastings