Port Operations Handbook and Harbour Master's Directions

The Port of Melbourne Corporation's Operations Handbook and Harbour Master's Directions contains information and provides advice and guidance to ship's masters, agents and owners to facilitate the safe and efficient operation of shipping within the port waters of Melbourne. It also contains post-channel deepening information regarding maintained depths in channels and maximum permissible speeds.

The handbook covers:

  • the role of the port authority
  • the Harbour Master's powers
  • regulations and codes governing vessel operations
  • information about anchorages, channels and berths, port services and tides
  • contacts for the Port of Melbourne
  • Harbour Master's Directions
  • safety and environmental requirements
  • emergency management procedures
  • VTS.

The January 2013 Edition of Operations Handbook and Harbour Master's Directions (PDF, 5 Mb - this is a large file) is effective from 26 January 2013 and supersedes all previous versions. All details are correct at the time of publication but may be subject to variation.

For information about the Port of Geelong, please refer to the Victorian Regional Channels Authority.

For more information, contact

Marine and Navigation Services
Port of Melbourne Corporation

Tel: +61 3  9683 1462
Email: navservices@portofmelbourne.com