Keels & Underkeel Clearance

Minimum permissible draft for all vessels

For vessels in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay, the minimum permissible draft is:

less than 100,000 tonnes DWT fore 2 per cent LOA – aft 3 per cent LOA;
greater than 100,000 tonnes DWT fore 3 per cent LOA – aft 4 per cent.

Sydney - maximum permissible draft - non tankers

All vessels navigating, unless approved by the Harbour Master, are required to maintain an Under Keel Clearance (UKC) of 10 per cent of the vessel’s maximum draft during transit.

A minimum UKC of 0.6 metres is required in the berth at all times.

Sydney - maximum permissible draft - tankers

Tankers are required to plan their passage with a minimum UKC of 10 per cent of the vessel’s maximum draft plus 0.2 metres.

A minimum UKC of 0.6 metres is required in the berth at all times.

Port Botany - maximum permissible draft - non tankers

All vessels navigating within Botany Bay, unless approved by the Harbour Master, are required to maintain an Under Keel Clearance (UKC) of 12 per cent of the vessel’s maximum draft during transit.

A minimum UKC of 0.6 metres is required in the berth at all times.

Port Botany - maximum permissible draft - tankers

Tankers are required to maintain an UKC of 12 per cent of the vessel’s maximum draft during transit.

Tankers whilst berthed at the Kurnell berths are required to maintain a minimum UKC of 1.0 metres at all times.

Tankers whilst berthed at the Bulk Liquids Berth are required to maintain a minimum UKC of 0.6 metres at all times.