Historic Admiralty chart of Port Hedland

1995 – 2025

Our story

Port Hedland Pilots provided a continuous, safe and professional pilotage service for thirty years. As the port grew, the company grew from eight pilots in 2010 to twenty-eight by 2015. Along the way it built its own training program, fatigue management system and ISPO-certified safety management system.

Mission statement

“To facilitate trade through the port by provision of best practice marine pilotage and associated services in terms of safety, sustainability, reliability, efficiency, professionalism and value.”

Timeline

1995
Port Hedland Pilots formed
Established to provide marine pilotage to the Port Hedland Port Authority after the WA Government privatised pilotage.
2010
A new contract
The company began the 2010 contract with eight unrestricted pilots and two restricted pilots in training.
May 2012
ISPO certification
Became the tenth pilotage organisation in the world certified to the International Standard for Maritime Pilot Organizations, with annual DNV audits under a full quality and safety management system.
2010 – 2014
Record growth
Over 18,300 pilotages and 1,285 million tonnes of cargo moved through the port as iron ore exports surged.
July 2014
Pilbara Ports Authority
The Port Hedland Port Authority was replaced by the Pilbara Ports Authority.
2015
Twenty-eight pilots
Numbers had grown to eighteen unrestricted and ten restricted pilots.
Feb – Mar 2017
HL Tubarao
The largest vessel handled at 339.95 m, and the deepest departure draft at 19.95 m carrying 270,006 tonnes.
June 2018
Monthly tonnage record
48.3 million tonnes in a single month.
March 2019
Tropical Cyclone Veronica
A storm-surge tide of 8.35 m was recorded, and 71 vessels were waiting at anchor after the port reopened.
30 June 2025
Final pilotage
Port Hedland Pilots ceased operations after thirty years of continuous service.