The shipping platform

Location: The port of Bluff is New Zealand's southernmost port, located 27km from Invercargill, the capital city of Southland. General overview: Bluff is the port for Southland and benefits from being a natural harbour with surge free conditions and is well protected from prevailing winds. It is a commercial and customs port, the terminus for the Foveaux Strait ferry service and base for local fishing fleet. Exports: Aluminium, Meat, fertilizers, fish, wool, grain, wood chips, logs and lumber. Imports: Bulk materials for the aluminium smelter, petroleum products, and raw fertilizer. Traffic figures: Approx 2,155,000t of cargo and 4,000TEU are handled annually. Load line zone: Summer. Max size: LOA 225m, beam 34m. Draught 8.0m LW to 10.0m HW, depending on tidal conditions. Largest vessel handled: "Nordweser", 75,080DWT, bulk Panamax.