Shipping management

Melbourne Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) (located in the port on the Yarra River) and Lonsdale VTS (located at Point Lonsdale) provide a 24-hour service to ensure the safe and efficient movement of shipping within port waters. This includes all necessary coordination of port services and dissemination of relevant information.

The Duty Vessel Traffic Service Officer, who is authorised to exercise the functions of the Harbour Master, is in complete charge of all harbour control functions and is accountable directly to the Harbour Master.

VTS operators use a range of equipment to monitor ship movements including radar tracking, AIS, VHF and other radio communications, closed circuit television and mobile and conventional telephones.

Booking and managing shipping services
Melbourne VTS plays a pivotal role in the delivery of vital services to port users as well as controlling the movement of shipping in Port Phillip Bay.

Registered shipping agents can organise tugs, linesmen, lines boats and pilots via the PortVIEW website. Common user berths must be booked directly with the Berth Allocator (see below) and quarantine and customs services must be booked directly with their offices (see below).

Pilotage is compulsory for commercial shipping. Pilots, tugs, lines boats and linesmen are provided by private commercial organisations - see the Shipping services page for links.

View up-to-date shipping movement information via the public Shipping Movements section on this website.

Melbourne Vessel Traffic Service
331-337 Lorimer Street
Port Melbourne VIC 3207
Tel: +61 3 9644 9700
Fax: +61 3 9644 9710

Berth Allocator
Tel: +61 3 9644 9740

Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS)
Internet: www.daff.gov.au/aqis

Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
Internet: www.customs.gov.au