The shipping platform

Location: Newcastle is located 62nm N of Sydney at the entrance to the Hunter River. General overview: It is a major bulk export port. The harbour area covers 450ha and provides 6,000m of wharfage. In addition to coal and ore berths the port has facilities for handling container, Ro-Ro, parcel bulk, general cargo vessels and tankers. Imports: Alumina, cement, fertilisers, inorganic chemicals, petroleum coke, phosphate rock, steel and general cargo. Exports: Aluminium, steaming coal, coking coal, grain, iron and steel, woodchips, zinc ore, mineral concentrates and general cargo. Traffic figures: Approx 3,300 vessels, 114,500,000t of cargo and 11,500TEU are handled annually. Load line zone: Summer. Max size: The max size conventional vessel acceptable for entry to the port of Newcastle is LOA 300m, beam 55m. Max draught is 16.2m plus tide minus 10% UKC. The max size vessel for entry to The Basin is LOA 265m, beam 35m. Largest vessel handled: "Iron Pacific", LOA 315m, beam 55m.