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Port of Timaru

NZTIU🇳🇿New Zealand

Port Location

About Port of Timaru

Timaru is a small, exposed harbor on New Zealand's South Island east coast. It handles general cargo and is served by tugs.

Background
Timaru is a port city in the southern Canterbury region of New Zealand, 157 km (98 mi) southwest of Christchurch and about 196 km (122 mi) northeast of Dunedin, on the eastern Pacific coast of the South Island. The urban area's population of 29,300 people is the largest in South Canterbury, and the third-largest in the Canterbury Region overall, after Christchurch and Rolleston. The town is the seat of the Timaru District, which includes the surrounding rural area and the towns of Geraldine, Pleasant Point and Temuka, which combined have a total population of 49,500.

Current Conditions

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Vessel Limits

Channel Depth
9ft
Tidal Range
1ft

Operations & Services

Port of Entry
Yes
Pilotage Compulsory
Yes
Tug Assistance
Yes
Cranes
Mobile
Drydock
U
Repair Code
B
Terminals
2

References & Identifiers

WPI No.
55350 →
Wikidata
Q1016574 →
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Official Site
www.timaru.govt.nz →

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Identification

UN/LOCODE
NZTIU
Country
🇳🇿New Zealand
Time Zone
UTC+13

Classification

Type
Port
Harbor Type
Coastal breakwater
Shelter
Excellent

Region

Subdivision
NZ-CAN
Area
East Australia
Sub-area
Tasman Sea
Latitude
-44.3841°
Longitude
171.2594°

Terminals (2)

PRIMEPORT TIMARU

PRIMEPORT TIMARU LTD.

Maritime House, 1 Marine Parade, Timaru 7910, New Zealand

www.primeport.co.nz →

TIMARU CONTAINER TERMINAL

PORT OF TAURANGA LTD.

North Mole Central, Marine Parade, Timaru 7910, New Zealand

www.timarucontainerterminal.co.nz →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I navigate the approach to the Port of Timaru?+
The approach to Timaru is supported by 3 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Timaru Outer North Mole Lighthouse at 0.1 NM to the W. Other aids include Tuhawaiki Point (3.5 NM S), Cape Wanbrow (45.3 NM SSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.
What sea or ocean is the Port of Timaru on?+
The Port of Timaru is situated on the Tasman Sea in NZ. The area falls within the temperate maritime climate zone, which can influence port operations and seasonal shipping patterns.
How do I track vessels arriving at or departing from the Port of Timaru?+
You can track vessels near Timaru (NZTIU) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page or search for NZTIU on the live map.
What are the operating hours and time zone for the Port of Timaru?+
The Port of Timaru operates in the UTC+13 time zone. Operating hours, VTS schedules, and pilot availability vary — vessel agents should confirm with the port authority in advance, especially for night arrivals or weekend operations.