port of barrow island

gateway to progress

Barrow Island is located 30 nautical miles (around 60 kilometres) from the mainland and approximately 75 nautical miles west of the Port of Dampier. It's also home to the Gorgon Project.

The Port is located on the east coast of Barrow Island. Its limits include the  portion of water east of the high water mark of the Indian Ocean on the eastern shore of Barrow Island and contained within the arc of a circle having a radius of 7 nautical miles (13 kilometres) from the intersection of latitude 20° 46' 50"S and longitude 115° 27' 54"E.

An aerial view of the LNG Jetty looking back towards the Materials Offloading Facility and plant site on Barrow Island.

port entry

Mariners are advised that when entering the Port of Barrow Island, all vessels are required to keep a lookout by all available means, including a listening watch on VHF Channel 10 & 16, and remain vigilant especially when navigating near the shipping channels.

The Barrow Island Port does not listen 24/7 but maintains a listening watch on VHF channel 10 and 16 based on:

  • Demand as required during shipping movements and simultaneous marine operations within the port.
  • 1hr prior to pilot boarding and 2hrs after letting go

Due to the extensive vessel activity within the port, navigation by non-project vessels, without prior notice, can be hazardous.

Barrow Island security operations monitor marine distress and emergency calls on VHF 16 - 24hrs contact +61 8 91843581

Marine Communications Operator 
Call sign: Port of Barrow
VHF: 10 & 16 NOT 24/7 continuous coverage

Port Superintendent
Phone: +61 8 9184 3668 
(business hours only)
bwiportsupt@chevron.com

Barrow Island Pilots
Phone: +61 8 9184 3545 / 3546 / 3547 / 3655
barrowpilot@chevron.com

The pilot boarding ground is located in the vicinity of latitude 20° 48.6'S and longitude of 115° 36.0'E.

All vessels operating within the Barrow Island port limits are to have onboard a marine pilot licensed under the Shipping and Pilotage (Port and Harbours) Regulations 1966 issued by the Western Australian Department of Transport, unless the vessel's Master holds a valid Pilotage Exemption Certificate for the Port of Barrow Island.

As per the Shipping and Pilotage (Ports and Harbours) Regulations 1966, the only vessels exempt from complying with the requirements are:

  • a vessel of war; or
  • a vessel owned by any of Her Majesty’s States or Colonies or the government of any country that is a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, that is engaged in a non-commercial voyage; or
  • a vessel with a length overall of not more than 35 m; or
  • a training vessel on a non-commercial voyage; or
  • a vessel on a non-commercial voyage exempted in circumstances which are or at the discretion of the CEO; or
  • a vessel under the command of a master who holds a valid certificate in respect of the pilotage area concerned

Masters of tugs, pilot boats and other craft operating within the Port of Barrow Island are required to hold a Certificate of Local Knowledge issued by the Marine Superintendent.


When completing the local knowledge exam, applicants should refer to the Port Information Guide, as well as the quarantine and environment supplements to the Barrow Island Port Information Manual. These documents are located in the Reference Information and Documents section on this page.

 

Launch the local knowledge exam online here or scan the QR code below.


Loca knowledge exam QR code

VHF

Channel

Allocation

Comments

8

BWI

Tug Movement Channel

To be used by tug operators only.

9

BWI

Tug Movement Channel

Barrow Island pilotage operations only.

10

BWI

Port Operations

To be used for general harbour calls and establishing initial communications between vessels and/or the port. All vessels within the port are to maintain a listening watch on this channel.

14

WA

Oil Marine Operations Channel

This channel is also utilised for tug movements during WA Oil tanker operations.

16

Maritime Distress

Safety and Calling Channel

Internationally recognised general calling and emergency frequency.

69

BWI

General Port Operations

General working channel.

72

BWI

General Port Operations

General working channel.

The Marine Notices currently in force by the Port of Barrow are listed here.

The following Gorgon Marine Terminal documents are available on request:

Document

Number

Revision

Gorgon Marine Terminal - Tanker - Pre- loading Data and Emergency Contact information

GOR-COP-01812

2.0

Gorgon - Condensate Vessel Clearance Process Form

GOR-COP-0133

4.0

Gorgon - LNG Vessel Clearance Process Form

GOR-COP-0134

4.0

Gorgon - Condensate Vessel Clearance Process – Instructions

GOR-COP-01461

2.0

Gorgon - LNG Vessel Clearance Process - Instructions

GOR-COP-01462

2.0

Gorgon - Barrow Island Terminal Regulations Manual

GOR-COP-0174

5.0

Barrow Island Port Facilities - Conditions of Use

G1-NT-AGRX0000848

-

ABU - Marine Operations Vessel Vetting Questionnaire

ABU-COP-02639

2.0

If a master or operator of an export vessel is not in receipt of the most current version of any of these documents please contact:

Office of the Lifting Coordinator (OLC)
Attention: Marine Interface Advisor Perth Australia
Phone: +61 8 9485 5754
Mobile: +61 429 686 661
Facsimile: +61 8 6224 1093
Email: GorgonOLC2@chevron.com

Maritime security levels

ISPS and the MTOFSA set out three maritime security levels (MARSECs).

 All clear

MARSEC 1 / Security level 1

Minimum protective security measures should be maintained at all times.

 Yellow alert symbol

Marsec 2 / Security level 2

Targeted measures implemented during period of heightened risk.

 Red alert symbol

MARSEC 3 / Security level 3

Although a specific target may not be known, further security measures must be maintained while the security incident is probable or imminent.

Read the full Barrow Island Cyclone Procedure here

Cyclone status guide
  

All clear

Open Port - No Threat

  • Port of Barrow Island Normal Operations

 

 Green monitor symbol

Stage 1 – Monitor

A tropical cyclone or low has formed or has the potential to form within 800nm (1,500kms) of the Port of Barrow Island

  • There are no restrictions on vessel movements.

 

 Blue alert symbol

Stage 2 – Prepare

A tropical cyclone or low is tracking towards the Port, is within 400nm (750kms) and has the potential to affect the Port of Barrow Island.

  • There are no restrictions on general vessel movements.
  • The Port of Barrow Island will commence preparations for a potential cyclone impact
  • Port users to commence implementing their cyclone plan or procedure

 

 Yellow alert symbol

Stage 3 – Clear Port

A tropical cyclone or low continues tracking towards the Port of Barrow Island, is within 300nm (550kms) and has the potential to impact the Port. Gale force winds are expected to affect the Port of Barrow Island within 24 hours.

  • All trading vessels must ensure that they will be able to depart and be clear of the Port of Barrow Island Port limits at least 12 hours prior to the forecast onset of gale force winds
  • Trading vessels will not be permitted to arrive at the Port facilities unless prior permission is granted by the Department of Transport Harbor Master, through the BWI Marine Superintendent. Permission for trading vessels to arrive will only be considered for extenuating circumstances i.e. emergencies, medical evacuation etc.
  • With the exception of vessels utilizing the BWI tug pens, all vessels are to be clear of the port prior to the declaration of Stage 4 – Port Closed

 

 Red alert symbol

Stage 4 – Port Closed

A tropical cyclone or low continues tracking towards the Port of Barrow Island, is within 200nm (370kms) and is likely to impact the Port of Barrow Island. Gale force winds are expected to affect the Port of Barrow Island within 12 hours.

  • The Port of Barrow Island will be closed to all vessels except those wishing to transit the Port of Barrow Island en-route to safer waters.

 

 Green monitor symbol

Stage 5 – Open Port – Resume Normal Operations with Caution

Some restrictions on vessel berthing and movements may still be in force.