UN/LOCODE: AUGLT📍 Australia
Port of Gladstone (UN/LOCODE AUGLT)
❖ Coordinates: -23.8487°N, 151.2598°E
❖ Time Zone: Australia/Brisbane
❖ UN/LOCODE: AUGLT
## About the Port
The Port of Gladstone (UN/LOCODE: **AUGLT**) is a multi‑modal maritime hub situated on the eastern seaboard of **Queensland, Australia**. Geographically positioned at **-23.8487083° S, 151.2597998° E**, it enjoys direct access to the Coral Sea and is strategically located within the **Australia/Brisbane** timezone, facilitating seamless coordination with both domestic and international shipping schedules. As the primary maritime gateway for the **Central Queensland region**, Gladstone handles a diverse cargo mix that includes bulk commodities, liquid fuels, containers, and project freight. The port’s proximity to major urban centers such as **Rockhampton** and **Bundaberg**, together with its well‑developed highway and rail connections, reinforces its role as a logistics conduit for the resource‑rich interior of Queensland.
The port’s governance falls under the **Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC)**, a statutory authority responsible for the operation, maintenance, and strategic development of the facility. GPC reports directly to the Queensland Government’s Department of Transport and Main Roads, ensuring alignment with state‑level port policy and environmental standards. The port authority maintains an integrated **Marine Operations Centre (MOC)**, which utilizes advanced vessel traffic management systems (VTMS) to monitor ship movements, optimize berth allocation, and enforce safety protocols in accordance with the **International Maritime Organization (IMO)** conventions.
By virtue of its deep‑water berths capable of accommodating **Ultra‑Large Container Vessels (ULCVs)** of up to 20,000 TEU, as well as dedicated bulk and liquid‑fuel terminals, Gladstone port is positioned to serve a wide spectrum of shipping lines and cargo owners. Its container terminal, equipped with **Automatic Guided Vessel (AGV)‑controlled yard equipment** and **Ship‑to‑Shore (STS) cranes** with a 2.5 MW power rating, ensures high throughput and rapid turnaround times, meeting the performance benchmarks required by global supply‑chain operators.
## History
The origins of the Gladstone port can be traced back to the mid‑19th century when the settlement was established as a **coal export point** for the surrounding hinterland. Initial facilities were modest, consisting primarily of timber piers and a basic coal‑loading infrastructure. Over the ensuing decades, the port evolved in response to the burgeoning **metalliferous mining activity** in the Mount Morgan region, prompting the construction of a deep‑water quay in 1888 to accommodate larger vessels.
Post‑World II development saw a series of investments that expanded the port’s capacity, culminating in the **Port of Gladstone Master Plan (1975–1990)**, which introduced modular berths, bulk handling conveyors, and dedicated oil import terminals. A pivotal moment arrived in 1998 with the **establishment of the Gladstone Ports Corporation**, formalising the port’s corporatized governance and enabling strategic capital injection for further upgrades.
The early 2000s ushered in a period of rapid expansion driven by the **Queensland Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) boom**. The GPC entered into a series of joint‑venture agreements with major energy firms, leading to the construction of the **Gladstone LNG Export Terminal (GLET)**, which began commercial operations in 2011. The terminal’s ability to load **LNG carriers** of up to 219,000 cbm cemented Gladstone’s status as a key node in the Asia‑Pacific energy supply chain.
More recently, the port has embraced **digitalisation initiatives**, including the deployment of **e‑Navigation platforms** and **real‑time cargo tracking** via **AIS (Automatic Identification System)** integration. These technological advancements underscore the port’s commitment to sustaining **operational resilience** and meeting the evolving demands of global maritime trade.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Terminals
- **Container Terminal:** 3 deep‑water berths, each capable of handling vessels up to 300 m in length, equipped with **6 × 50‑ton STS cranes** and an automated gate system for **gate‑in/out processing**.
- **Bulk Terminal:** Two bulk handling berths with a combined **1.2 Mt/year capacity**, featuring **conveyor‑driven ship‑to‑shore systems**, grab cranes, and **dry‑bulk silos** for commodities such as **iron ore, coal, and alumina**.
- **Liquid Fuel Terminal:** Dedicated jetty and tanker berths supporting the import/export of **petrol, diesel, and LNG**, equipped with **floating hose manifold systems** and **double‑walled storage tanks** with secondary containment.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
- **Automated Stack Yards** employing AGVs for container positioning, reducing dwell time by up to **30 %**.
- **Grab and Rope‑Shuttle cranes** for bulk cargo, with **hydraulic power packs** delivering up to **2,500 kW** each.
- **Specialised LPG/NGL loading arms** with integrated **heat‑trace capability** for temperature‑sensitive products.
### Supporting Infrastructure
- **Pilotage Services**: A dedicated pilot station manned by **Queensland State Pilots**, certified under the **Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ)** framework.
- **Towage Fleet**: A fleet of **twin‑screw tugboats** offering **bollard pull capacities of 350 tons**, capable of handling **VLCC‑class** vessels.
- **Shore Power Provision**: A **120 MW electrical supply** network with **20 kV medium‑voltage connections**, enabling container ships to shut down auxiliary engines and reduce emissions.
- **Environmental Controls**: **Storm‑water treatment facilities**, **ballast water management systems**, and an **on‑site fire suppression network** compliant with **International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code** standards.
All infrastructure is overseen by a **centralised operations control centre**, employing **SCADA** and **geospatial mapping** tools to coordinate berth scheduling, gate logistics, and real‑time traffic monitoring.
## Economic Importance
The Port of Gladstone contributes an estimated **AUD 3.5 billion** annually to the Queensland economy, representing roughly **6 %** of the state’s total port‑related GDP. Its diversified cargo base enables a **multiplier effect**, supporting over **12,000 direct and indirect jobs** across logistics, engineering, and ancillary services.
### Trade & Industry Links
- **Resource Sector**: Serves as the primary export conduit for **coking coal**, **iron ore**, and **aluminium** from the Central Queensland mining districts.
- **Energy Industry**: Handles **LNG imports and exports**, with the **Gladstone LNG Export Terminal** facilitating **approximately 9 Mt / year** of liquefied natural gas shipments, primarily to **Japan, South Korea, and China**.
- **Agricultural Exports**: Supports the movement of **sugar, beef, and wool**, leveraging its refrigerated cargo facilities and **temperature‑controlled warehousing**.
- **Manufacturing & Construction**: Provides inbound access for **steel structures**, **prefabricated modular units**, and **component shipments** critical for the region’s emerging **renewable‑energy projects**.
The port’s economic footprint is amplified through **regional development initiatives** such as the **Gladstone Innovation Hub**, which encourages **logistics‑technology startups** and **research collaborations** with the **University of Queensland**. These synergies position Gladstone as a **center of excellence for maritime technology adoption**, attracting investment in **autonomous vessel trials** and **green‑fuel pilot projects**.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Geographic Trade Corridors
- **Australia‑East Asia Corridor**: Dominant route linking Gladstone to **Port of Shanghai**, **Port of Singapore**, and **Port of Kakinada**, facilitating the bi‑directional flow of raw materials and manufactured goods.
- **South‑Pacific Island Connectivity**: Provides a strategic stopover for **Pacific Island freight**, offering **trans‑shipment services** to **Papua New Guinea**, **Solomon Islands**, and **Fiji**.
- **Domestic Coastal Services**: Operates **coastal feeder services** along the **East Coast** of Australia, connecting Gladstone with **Port of Brisbane**, **Port of Melbourne**, and **Port of Adelaide**.
### Primary Cargo Categories
| Cargo Type | Typical Vessel Size | Annual Volume (Mt) | Key Commodities |
|------------|--------------------|--------------------|-----------------|
| **Bulk Minerals** | Panamax‑max (up to 80,000 DWT) | 18.5 | Iron ore, coal, manganese |
| **Liquefied Natural Gas** | LNG carrier (up to 219,000 cbm) | 9.2 | LNG, LPG |
| **Containerised Goods** | ULCV (up to 20,000 TEU) | 2.8 | Electronics, automotive parts, textiles |
| **Liquid Fuels** | Crude tanker (up to 120,000 DWT) | 1.4 | Diesel, gasoline, jet fuel |
| **Project Cargo** | Heavy‑lift vessels | 0.5 | Wind‑turbine components, offshore rig modules |
The **container terminal** processes an average **1.6 million TEU per annum**, with peak utilisation periods aligning with **Australian fiscal quarters** (Q3 and Q4) when import volumes surge due to **retail restocking**. Meanwhile, the **bulk handling facilities** experience seasonal spikes in **coal shipments** during the **Northern Hemisphere winter**, driven by heightened demand from **European steel producers**.
The port’s ability to seamlessly integrate **LNG export**, **bulk mineral handling**, and **containerised trade** differentiates it from other regional terminals, reinforcing its status as a **critical node** within Australia’s **national supply‑chain architecture**.
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*For official statistics and real‑time vessel schedules, consult the Gladstone Ports Corporation’s **Port Information Portal**: https://www.gpc.com.au/port-information*
*Additional authoritative details on Queensland maritime policy are available via the **Queensland Government – Department of Transport**: https://www.transport.qld.gov.au/maritime*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
AUGLT
Country
Australia
Province / Region
Queensland
Latitude
-23.848708
Longitude
151.259800
Timezone
Australia/Brisbane
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Gladstone?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Gladstone is AUGLT.
Where is Port of Gladstone located?
The Port of Gladstone is located in Australia, Queensland. Its coordinates are -23.8487°N, 151.2598°E.
What time zone is Port of Gladstone in?
Port of Gladstone operates in the Australia/Brisbane time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.32 m
Wave Direction146°
Swell Height0.14 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
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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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