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Marine & shipping

Port Chalmers (Lower Harbour) berths

Port Chalmers has three berths suitable for handling containerised, multi-purpose and conventional vessels. 

Berthing flexibility is guaranteed by a swinging basin dredged to 13.5 metres, with a turning diameter of 487 metres.

Fairway to Port Chalmers Basin declared at 13.5m (at chart Datum)

Berth details: Lower Harbour (as at December 2025)

BERTH LENGTH ALIGNMENT APPROACH DEPTH BERTH POCKET MINIMUM UKC AT BERTH MAXIMUM STATIC DRAFT AT BERTH WHARF HEIGHT (CD)
C/T 300m 042/222 13.5m 13.9m 0.4m 13.5m 4.6m

M/P

431m

020/200

13.5m

14.0m

0.4m

13.6m

4.6m
Beach 412m 073/253 13.5m 11.5m 0.3m 11.2m 4.6m
  • The berth depths and permissible draughts are based on depths below Chart Datum (i.e. zero tide).

Dunedin Bulk Port (Upper Harbour) berths

Tankers, fishing vessels, bulk carriers and smaller conventional vessels are the principal users of the Dunedin Bulk Port berths, which sit adjacent to Port Otago’s cold storage facilites. There is also the Ravensbourne Wharf located between Port Chalmers and Dunedin.

The channel between Port Chalmers and Dunedin is capable of handling vessels of up to 185 metres LOA, 8.0 metres draught and 32.3 metres beam. Vessels in excess of 150 metres LOA can transit in daylight only.

Upper Harbour channel depth: 8.50m (at Chart Datum)

Beacon #67 to turning basin: 7.30m (at Chart Datum).
Note: This is the constraining depth for Upper Harbour transits.

Berth details: Upper Harbour (as at December 2025)

BERTH  LENGTH  ALIGNMENT APPROACH DEPTH  BERTH POCKET  MINIMUM UKC AT BERTH  MAXIMUM STATIC DRAFT AT BERTH WHARF HEIGHT (CD) 
Victoria T/U 177m 042/222 6.0m 8.0m 0.3m 7.7m 4.6m
Victoria (CM) 120m 042/222 6.0m 7.1m 0.3m 6.8m 4.6m
Victoria X/Y Southern End 20m x 25m 20m 042/222 7.3m 7.2m 0.3m 6.9m 4.6m
Victoria X/Y 200 x 25 m 220m 042/222 7.3m 7.7m 0.3m 7.4m 4.6m
Oil Jetty Basin Dia 260m 214m 089/269 7.3m 8.8m 0.3m 8.5m 4.6m
Leith 200 x 35m 153m 089/269 7.3m 8.4m

0.3m

 8.1m 3.8m
LPG 62m 104/284 7.0m 6.5m 0.3m 6.2m 3.9m
Ravensbourne 149m 073/253 7.3m 8.2m 0.3m 7.9m 4.4m
Birch St 310m 084/264 4.5m 6.7m 0.3m 6.4m 4.7m
Rattray * 397m 084/264 4.5m 4.2m 0.3m 3.9m 4.6m

NOTES: 

1) Vessels departing directly from the Oil Jetty, Leith Wharf, and X/Y berth when berthed port side alongside will apply the following depths

  • Oil Jetty 7.7m
  • X/Y Berth 7.3m
  • Leith Wharf 7.6m

2) Vessels transiting or shifting berths within Otago Upper Harbour require a minimum Sterm Trim of 0.5m (Max 2.5m)

3) Prior to any movements to the berths, refer to the latest sounding chart for the most recent sounding details. Actual soundings may differ from the official NZ 6612 chart. To request latest sounding chart, email the Port Otago Marine Team.
[N.B. LINZ provides the official charts for all New Zealand ports.]

4) Berths marked * are historical data.

5) Rattray St Berth data is based on Dunedin Basin soundings.

Static UKC values within Port Otago navigable channels

AREA 

STATIC UKC ALLOWANCE 
Victoria Channel for Vessels ≤150m 

 1.0m

Tankers, and Bulk Carriers ≥150m

1.25m

Dunedin Area – South of Beacon No. 67

0.6m

Dunedin Area - South of Beacon No.67 - Tankers

0.9m

Maximum wharf loadings

Port Otago wharves and jetties have limited loading capacities. Exceeding these capacities can result in damage or collapse. 


A Heavy loading permit must be obtained, if using:

  • T&U Wharf, Leith Wharf, Birch Street Wharf and/or X&Y Wharf and access is for:
    • Vehicles with single axle weights greater than 8.2t 
    • All crane operations.
  • Kitchener Wharf and Rattray Wharf: 
    • No heavy traffic or crane loading is permitted.
  • All other Port Otago wharves for: 

Applications should be submitted at least 48 hours prior to any proposed heavy load or crane operation. Access or lifts must not be carried out until countersigned approval has been received from Port Otago Limited.

For more information, phone +64 3 472 9876  or email Port Otago Customer Services.