UN/LOCODE: AUBWT📍 Australia
Port of Burnie (UN/LOCODE AUBWT)
❖ Coordinates: -41.0525°N, 145.9069°E
❖ Time Zone: Australia/Melbourne
❖ UN/LOCODE: AUBWT
## About the Port
**Port of Burnie** (UN/LOCODE: **AUBWT**) is a deep‑water gateway situated on the north‑west coast of Tasmania, Australia. Located at **41° 03′ 09″ S, 145° 54′ 25″ E** (‑41.0524649 lat, 145.9068513 lon), the port operates within the **Australia/Melbourne** time zone (UTC +10:00, summer +11:00). Managed by **TasPorts**, the state‑wide port authority, Burnie serves a catch‑area that encompasses the entire western Tasmanian hinterland, the northern Midlands, and the broader Bass Strait trade corridor.
The port’s natural geography—an anchorage shielded by the Burnie‑River estuary and a long, dredged approach channel—allows it to accommodate vessels up to **200 m LOA** (Length Overall) with a draught of **10.5 m** at mean low water spring tide. Its strategic position on the **Bass Strait** makes it a pivotal node for trans‑Tasmanic shipments, Australian domestic coast‑wise traffic, and intra‑regional cargo flows to New Zealand and the Pacific.
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## History
### Early Settlement (1820‑1900)
European settlement in the Burnie area dates to the 1820s, when the Van Diemen’s Land Company (VDLC) established a timber‑focused settlement named **Emu Bay**. The natural harbour was initially used for small schooners transporting timber, wool, and later, gold from the nearby Mount Read mining districts.
### Formal Port Development (1900‑1960)
The turn of the 20th century saw the construction of the first jetty and the commissioning of a **steam‑powered tramway** linking the mill‑town to the rail network at **Wynyard**. In 1911, the government officially gazetted the site as a **customs port**, and the first **customs house** was erected. During both World Wars, Burnie functioned as a naval refuelling and repair station for Allied vessels operating in the Southern Ocean.
### Modern Expansion (1970‑Present)
The 1970s heralded a major upgrade: a **concrete breakwater** was built, enabling the accommodation of Panamax‑size cargo ships. In 1985, the **Burnie Container Terminal** commenced operations, pioneering containerisation in Tasmania. Subsequent investments—most notably the **2003 deep‑water channel dredging** and the **2015 multimodal logistics hub**—have positioned Burnie as the second‑largest Tasmanian cargo port after Hobart.
*For a detailed chronological timeline, consult the TasPorts historical archive*(source↗).
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Wharves & Berths
- **Multi‑purpose General Cargo Wharf** – 3 berths, 10 m draught, equipped with 6 t gantry cranes.
- **Container Terminal** – 2 berths (CT1, CT2); each supports a **12 m‑high, 30 t crane** and a **STS (Ship‑to‑Shore) gantry** capable of handling 1,200 TEU vessels.
- **Bulk & Ore Wharf** – Dedicated to iron ore, coal, and mineral concentrates. Features a **continuous shiploader** (30 t / min) and a **rail‑offloader** feeding the regional rail corridor.
### Storage & Handling
- **Open‑air yards** with a combined capacity of **150,000 m³** for timber, steel, and agricultural products.
- **Covered warehouses** (15,000 m²) equipped with climate control for perishables and high‑value goods.
- **Automated Storage & Retrieval System (AS/RS)** for container stacking, enhancing turnaround time to under **24 hours** for 95 % of vessels.
### Logistics Connectivity
- **Rail Link** – Standard gauge connection to the **Western Line**, operated by **TasRail**, enabling seamless freight movement to the inland logistics hub at Burnie and beyond.
- **Road Network** – Direct access to the **Bass Highway (A2)**, linking the port to Launceston (≈150 km) and the **West Tamar Highway**.
- **Intermodal Facility** – Integrated truck‑rail‑sea terminal with **5,000 m² of handling space**, supporting just‑in‑time (JIT) supply chains for the regional manufacturing sector.
### Support Services
- **Pilotage & Tug Services** – 24 / 7 pilotage operated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and a fleet of **two 1,200 t tugs**.
- **Customs & Quarantine** – Full Australian Border Force (ABF) presence, ensuring compliance with biosecurity regulations critical for Tasmania’s agricultural exports.
- **Safety & Environmental Management** – ISO 14001 certification and a comprehensive **Oil Spill Response Plan** coordinated with the **Tasmanian Marine Incident Response Team**.
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## Economic Importance
### Regional Contribution
Burnie port underpins a **regional economic output exceeding AUD 2 billion** annually (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2023). The port directly sustains **≈4,300 jobs**, including maritime operations, logistics, and ancillary services such as engineering and maintenance. Indirect employment in the supply chain—spanning timber processing, metal fabrication, and agribusiness—adds another **≈7,800 positions**.
### Key Sectors
| Sector | Primary Cargo | Approx. Annual Volume |
|--------|---------------|-----------------------|
| **Forestry & Timber** | Softwood logs, chipboards | 2.5 Mt |
| **Mining & Mineral Concentrates** | Iron ore, zinc concentrates | 3.2 Mt |
| **Agriculture** | Dairy, meat, berries | 0.8 Mt |
| **Manufacturing** | Aluminium extrusion, automotive components | 1.1 Mt |
| **Containerised Trade** | General consumer goods, machinery | 1.4 Mt (TEU) |
The port’s **container throughput**—now averaging **300,000 TEU per year**—has facilitated the growth of Tasmania’s **value‑added manufacturing**, allowing exporters to reach markets across Asia, the Middle East, and the United States.
### Strategic Role in National Trade
Within Australia’s maritime network, Burnie serves as the **primary outbound gateway for Tasmanian iron ore** destined for Asian steel mills, and as a **critical inbound conduit for bulk fertiliser and automotive parts**. Its capacity to handle both **break‑bulk** and **containerised cargo** provides supply‑chain resilience, particularly during periods of **Bass Strait weather volatility**.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
| Origin / Destination | Route Type | Typical Vessels |
|----------------------|------------|-----------------|
| **Hobart – Burnie** | Coastal feeder (Bass Strait) | 5,000 DWT general cargo ships |
| **Burnie – Melbourne** | Direct south‑bound line | 10,000 – 30,000 DWT bulk carriers |
| **Burnie – Shanghai** | Asia‑Pacific container service | 30,000 – 45,000 DWT container ships |
| **Burnie – Auckland** | Trans‑Tasmanic bulk & container | 20,000 DWT multi‑purpose vessels |
| **Burnie – Port Kembla** | Domestic steel supply chain | 12,000 DWT iron ore carriers |
The **Burnie–Melbourne** corridor remains the busiest, handling **≈70 %** of the port’s bulk cargo movement, chiefly iron ore for downstream steel production. The **Burnie–Shanghai** route, serviced by weekly liner services, transports Tasmanian **dairy products, specialty wines, and timber**, supporting the growing demand for premium Australian commodities in the Asian market.
### Major Cargo Profiles
- **Iron Ore** – Exported predominantly to China’s Jiangsu and Shandong provinces; bulk carriers loaded via the **Bulk & Ore Wharf** with an average payload of **30 000 t**.
- **Timber & Pulp** – Loaded onto both **general cargo vessels** and **container ships**; high‑value hardwood logs destined for the European furniture market.
- **Dairy & Meat** – Refrigerated containers (reefers) delivering **milk powder, cheese, and processed meats** to Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Middle East.
- **Aluminium Products** – Semi‑finished aluminium billets and extrusions shipped to automotive assemblers in Japan and South Korea.
- **General Merchandise** – Consumer goods, electronics, and automotive parts imported via the container terminal, feeding Tasmania’s retail sector and the broader Australian east‑coast market.
The port’s **multimodal flexibility** enables the seamless transition of cargo between sea, rail, and road, ensuring that perishable goods maintain the required cold‑chain integrity and that heavy bulk commodities achieve optimal load factors.
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### Outlook
Looking ahead, Burnie is poised to expand its **green logistics capabilities**. Investments in **shore‑power infrastructure**, **alternative‑fuel bunkering (LNG and hydrogen)**, and **digital twin port management** are scheduled for rollout by 2028, aligning with Australia’s **National Maritime Strategy** and the global push toward decarbonisation. These initiatives will reinforce Burnie’s status as a **future‑ready maritime hub**, supporting sustainable trade flows while safeguarding Tasmania’s economic prosperity.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
AUBWT
Country
Australia
Province / Region
Tasmania
Latitude
-41.052465
Longitude
145.906851
Timezone
Australia/Melbourne
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Burnie?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Burnie is AUBWT.
Where is Port of Burnie located?
The Port of Burnie is located in Australia, Tasmania. Its coordinates are -41.0525°N, 145.9069°E.
What time zone is Port of Burnie in?
Port of Burnie operates in the Australia/Melbourne time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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