21 Mar
Port Headland Australia Mooring Requirements

Port Hedland Authority issued the MARINE SAFETY BULLETIN 01/2021, regarding mooring safety with the port and terminals. Additionally BHP issued new requirements to come into force from July 2021.Mooring line failures / parted mooring line incidents pose a significant risk to personnel, infrastructure, and operations in the port. Over the past few years, a significant number of mooring line incidents were reported in the Port of Port Hedland (the Port). These form approximately 20% of all marine incidents in the Port.Port Hedland Marine Safety Bulletin 01/2021In accordance with the bulletin, all vessels calling Port Hedland should have Line Management Plan (LMP) or similar, in order to:

  1. Comply with Port Hedland mooring requirements
  2. Check for wear and damage, and to apply a trained and consistent approach in identifying early indications of a potential mooring line failure.
  3. Define the intervals for end-forend changes and replacement criteria for mooring lines.
  4. Manage all assessed risks
  5. To ensure that during mooring operations, no harm comes to the ship’s crew or terminal staff, no damage is caused to the ship or terminal/facility it is interfacing with and that the mooring system meets all applicable regulations, codes and recommended practices.
  6. Ensure that the use of chafe guards for protecting mooring lines against chafe damage is adequately implemented as per industry guidelines
  7. Set and test the winch brakes as per industry;s standards and the recommendations given in ISO Standard 3730:2012 and leading Industry publications such as the OCIMF – Mooring Equipment Guidelines

BHP RequirementsAdditionally to the above , the BHP one the major Terminal managers in Port Hedland, has issued updated requirements (which are in line with Marine Safety Bulletin 01/2021), for adequate and safe mooring.All vessels calling at the Terminal and their crew must comply with the mandatory requirements described below from 1 July 2021 at 0001 AWST. Verification that the vessel and crew are compliant with the requirements will occur through the vessel vetting process, the Terminal Questionnaire and/or an inspection on board the vessel. 


List of Port Marine Circular & BHP Requirements

Item
Requirement
            Status
Certification
1.
Vessels shall have on board, valid and up-to-date certificates for all mooring lines and mooring tails that are in use or kept as spares. These certificates must be produced for inspection if requested by BHP
               New
2.
Mooring lines shall not exceed a maximum duration of 5 years from the date stated in each line certificate, unless the vessel can demonstrate to BHP’s satisfaction that:
  1. The condition and quality of each mooring line is acceptable and verified by an independent third party in accordance with the ISO 2307 standard for the vessel’s deadweight tonnage (DWT);
  2. Owners may wish to consider purchasing mooring lines of sufficient length to allow for testing to be done after 5 years of use, if they wish to keep lines in service beyond 5 years.
The mooring lines meet the conditions of the Terminal’s new mooring line technology incentive.
             Modified
3.
At all times, the minimum length of the mooring line shall be 200 metres.
             Existing
4.
The maximum diameter of the mooring line must not exceed 110mm
             New
5.
The guaranteed minimum breaking load on all lines shall be >75T, if the DWT>=120k.
             Existing
6.
Mooring lines on the vessel must be uniform in all respects i.e. the same type of material, diameter and have the same minimum breaking load (MBL).
             Existing
7.
All mooring lines (including spares) shall be in good condition and free from knots, bends, splices and wear/abrasion damage.
              Existing
8.
Each vessel shall carry a minimum of 2 spare mooring lines of each type of mooring line carried on board, and the spare mooring lines must meet all the same requirements as the lines in use
              Existing
9..
Wire ropes will not be accepted.
              New
High modulus synthetic fibre lines
10.
Lines with limited stretch (elasticity), such as high modulus polyethylene (HMPE) lines, must be used with mooring tails in line with the recommendations of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
               New
Mooring Tails
11.
Vessels shall ensure that all tail (pendant) connections to the main line are in accordance with the requirements of the OEM.
               New
12.
Tails must have a breaking force of 125% to 130% of the mooring line that they are joined to.
               New
13.
Tails must have a minimum length of 11 metres.
               New
14.
Metal shackles will not be accepted.
               New
Winch Breaks
15.
Winch rendering limits are to be in accordance with the requirements of:
  • The mooring winch manufacturer, and
  • The vessel’s safety management system.
The winch brakes must complete and pass brake-rendering tests according to the testing frequency recommended by the mooring winch manufacturer, or the vessel’s safety management system, or once every 2.5 years, whichever comes first.
New
16.
If new lines are fitted to drums, brake render tests will be required
New
17.
Mooring winch brakes shall be set at 60% of the vessel’s design MBL >45T, if the DWT>=120k.
New
18.
The rating pulling power of the winches shall be within the following tolerances:
>=15T if the DWT 120-155k
>=16T if the DWT 155-220k
New
Vessel crew and line management
19.
All deck crew who are tending to mooring lines must be adequately trained and competent to do so.
New
20.
Adequate vessel crewing shall be made available to ensure moorings can be monitored at intervals of no more than 30 minutes.
New
21.
Vessel crew shall continuously monitor the vessel’s mooring lines every 30 minutes, for 2 hours before and 2 hours after the turn of the tide (both high and low tides).
New
22.
Mooring lines shall run from winches or, if approved, on bits.
New
23.
Mooring lines shall not be secured on crucifixes or on to warping drums (drum ends).
New
24.
The full length of all mooring lines shall undergo at least one detailed inspection at intervals of not more than 12 months and all records shall be kept on board and made available for inspection upon request.
New
25.
Mooring lines shall be turned/rotated end to end every 2.5 years from the time in first use and records shall be made available for verification by BHP.
Modified



 

BHP mooring line technology incentiveAdditionally to above requirements, a new mooring line technology incentive will come into force from 1st April 2021.BHP will discount the line handling fee for certain new technology adoption, to incentivize the advancement of mooring line safety improvements. The incentive will apply to the use of products incorporating technology aimed at reducing the snap backs of mooring lines together with the appropriate line management plan,as determined or approved by BHP. The Wilhelmsen Timm Master 12 Snap Back Arrestor F100 (73mm) 220m and the Wilhelmsen Line Management Plan technology is currently approved by BHP. Alternative mooring line technology options will be reviewed by BHP.If a vessel berthing at the Terminal has all mooring lines installed of the Wilhelmsen Timm Master 12 Snap Back Arrestor F100 (73mm) 220m type and their use and condition is continually monitored through the Wilhelmsen Line Management Plan, the vessel will benefit from:

  1. Reduced line handling charges from AU$1600 to AU$600 per Terminal call.
  2. Mooring lines turned/rotated end to end at a minimum 2500 hours of active service.
  3. A review of the line condition completed at 4500 hours of active service, or 5 years from certificate date to determine suitability for ongoing use. The line condition will be endorsed by the mooring line manufacturer and approved by BHP.

All lines of the Wilhelmsen Timm Master 12 Snap Back Arrestor F100 (73mm) 220m type, must be retired at age of 5000 hours of active service. Hours of active service is the time the lines are used in mooring operations as logged in the Wilhelmsen Line Management Plan. Actions requiredManagers of ships calling Port Hedland should have an effective Mooring Management Plan to ensure that the mooring lines are inspected, operated and maintained in accordance with port’s requirements in order to support and address the requirements set by Marine Safety Bulletin 01/2021 and BHP guidelines.


The MLMP should contain:

  1. A detailed description of the procedures, roles and responsibilities required
  2. An equipment section with all equipment requirements and guidance
  3. An Inspection section for inspections and monitoring requirements.
  4. A training Section for crew familiarization (using training Posters or other material)

 

Regulatory Reference:

 Requirements

  • Port Hedland Authority issuing the Marine Safety Bulletin 01/2021
  • BHP Port Hedland Mooring Management Standard

You may also find further information on the Port Marine Circular and BHP guidelines at SAFETY4SEA 



Annex A: OCIMF MEG4 vs Port Hedland Mooring Requirements
No.
Requirement
OCIMF MEG-4
Port Hedland Requirements
1.
Vessels shall have on board, valid and up-to-date certificates for all mooring lines and mooring tails that are in use or kept as spares. These certificates must be produced for inspection if requested.
Yes
Yes
2.
Mooring lines shall not exceed a maximum duration of 5 years from the date stated in each line certificate, unless the vessel can demonstrate to BHP’s satisfaction that:
  1. The condition and quality of each mooring line is acceptable and verified by an independent third party in accordance with the ISO 2307 standard for the vessel’s deadweight tonnage (DWT);
  2. Owners may wish to consider purchasing mooring lines of sufficient length to allow for testing to be done after 5 years of use, if they wish to keep lines in service beyond 5 years.
  3. The mooring lines meet the conditions of the Terminal’s new mooring line technology incentive.
No specific time requirement
Yes
2.1
Check for wear and damage, and to apply a trained and consistent approach in identifying early indications of a potential mooring line failure
Yes
Yes
3.
At all times, the minimum length of the mooring line shall be 200 metres.
No specific minimum requirement
Yes
4.
The maximum diameter of the mooring line must not exceed 110mm
No specific maximum requirement
Yes
5.
The guaranteed minimum breaking load on all lines shall be >75T, if the DWT>=120k.
No specific minimum requirement
Yes
6.
Mooring lines on the vessel must be uniform in all respects i.e. the same type of material, diameter and have the same minimum breaking load (MBL).
No
Yes
7.
All mooring lines (including spares) shall be in good condition and free from knots, bends, splices and wear/abrasion damage.
Yes
Yes
8.
Each vessel shall carry a minimum of 2 spare mooring lines of each type of mooring line carried on board, and the spare mooring lines must meet all the same requirements as the lines in use
No
Yes
9.
Wire ropes will not be accepted
No such requirement
Yes
10.
Lines with limited stretch (elasticity), such as high modulus polyethylene (HMPE) lines, must be used with mooring tails in line with the recommendations of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
Yes
Yes
11.
Vessels shall ensure that all tail (pendant) connections to the main line are in accordance with the requirements of the OEM.
Yes
Yes
12.
Tails must have a breaking force of 125% to 130% of the mooring line that they are joined to.
Yes
Yes
13.
Tails must have a minimum length of 11 metres.
11m or 22m
Yes
14.
Metal shackles will not be accepted.
No such requirement
Yes
15.
Winch rendering limits are to be in accordance with the requirements of:
  1. The mooring winch manufacturer, and
  2. The vessel’s safety management system.
The winch brakes must complete and pass brake-rendering tests according to the testing frequency recommended by the mooring winch manufacturer, or the vessel’s safety management system, or once every 2.5 years, whichever comes first.
Yes
Yes
16.
If new lines are fitted to drums, brake render tests will be required
Yes
Yes
17.
Mooring winch brakes shall be set at 60% of the vessel’s design MBL >45T, if the DWT>=120k.
Yes
Yes
18.
The rating pulling power of the winches shall be within the following tolerances:
>=15T if the DWT 120-155k
>=16T if the DWT 155-220k
No such requirement
Yes
19.
All deck crew who are tending to mooring lines must be adequately trained and competent to do so.
Yes
Yes
20.
Adequate vessel crewing shall be made available to ensure moorings can be monitored at intervals of no more than 30 minutes.
No such requirement
Yes
21.
Vessel crew shall continuously monitor the vessel’s mooring lines every 30 minutes, for 2 hours before and 2 hours after the turn of the tide (both high and low tides).
No such requirement
Yes
22.
Mooring lines shall run from winches or, if approved, on bits.
Yes
Yes
23.
Mooring lines shall not be secured on crucifixes or on to warping drums (drum ends).
Yes
Yes
24.
The full length of all mooring lines shall undergo at least one detailed inspection at intervals of not more than 12 months and all records shall be kept on board and made available for inspection upon request.
Yes
Yes
25.
Mooring lines shall be turned/rotated end to end every 2.5 years from the time in first use and records shall be made available for verification by BHP.
No specific time requirement
Yes
26.
Define the intervals for end-for end changes and replacement criteria for mooring lines
Yes
Yes
27.
Manage all assessed risks
Yes
Yes
28.
To ensure that during mooring operations, no harm comes to the ship’s crew or terminal staff, no damage is caused to the ship or terminal/facility it is interfacing with and that the mooring system meets all applicable regulations, codes and recommended practices
Yes
Yes
29.
Ensure that the use of chafe guards for protecting mooring lines against chafe damage is adequately implemented as per industry guidelines
Yes
Yes
30.
Set and test the winch brakes as per industry;s standards and the recommendations given in ISO Standard 3730:2012 and leading Industry publications such as the OCIMF – Mooring Equipment Guidelines
Yes
Yes
31.
Ship design MBL. To be issued for ships subject to MEG-4
Yes
Νο
MBL as per EN issued by Class or Yard
32.
Mooring equipment & Lines detailed register
Yes
No
33.
Maximum breaking load for lines (LDBF up 105% of Ship Design MBL)
Yes
No specific requirement
34.
Retirement of mooring line at 75% of residual strength
Yes
No
35.
Change Management procedure
Yes
No