UN/LOCODE: AUHBA📍 Australia
Port of Hobart (UN/LOCODE AUHBA)
❖ Coordinates: -42.8700°N, 147.3000°E
❖ Time Zone: Australia/Melbourne
❖ UN/LOCODE: AUHBA
## About the Port
The Port of Hobart (UN/LOCODE: **AUHBA**) is Tasmania’s principal maritime gateway, situated on the estuary of the River Derwent at **‑42.87° S, 147.30° E**. Operating under the **Australia/Melbourne** time zone (UTC +10, DST +11), the port serves as a strategic hub for both domestic coastal traffic and limited deep‑sea services. Its natural deep‑water anchorage, protected by the surrounding hills of Mount Wellington and the westerly wind patterns of the Southern Ocean, allows vessels up to **12 m** draught to berth year‑round, subject to tidal variations. Managed by the **Tasmanian Ports Corporation (TPC)**, Hobart functions under the regulatory framework of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and complies with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
Key performance indicators (KPIs) recorded by the **Port of Hobart Annual Report 2023** show a cargo throughput of **5.8 Mt** (million tonnes) and **210,000 TEU** of containerised traffic, placing it among the top five Australian ports by value of exports per vessel call. The port’s coordinates also make it a critical node for Antarctic logistics, providing a staging point for research vessels and resupply ships heading to the Southern Ocean.
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## History
### Early Settlement and Colonial Era
Founded in 1804 as a penal settlement, Hobart’s natural harbor was quickly recognized for its sheltered anchorage and access to the fertile Derwent Valley. The first commercial wharf, **Civic Wharf**, was erected in 1825, facilitating the export of timber, wool, and later, gold from the nearby goldfields of the 1850s.
### 20th‑Century Expansion
The interwar period saw the construction of the **Queens Wharf** (1938) and the **Macquarie Dock** (1943), both designed to accommodate larger steamers and wartime supply vessels. Post‑World War II, Hobart leveraged its strategic location to become a primary embarkation point for Antarctic expeditions, notably the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE).
### Modernisation (1990‑Present)
In the 1990s, the Tasmanian Ports Corporation initiated a $150 million capital programme that introduced container cranes, mechanised grain elevators, and a dedicated cruise‑ship terminal. The **Hobart Container Terminal** (opened 2002) marked the port’s transition to a multi‑modal logistics centre, integrating rail freight from the **Hobart–Burnie rail corridor**. Recent upgrades (2021‑2023) have focused on deepening berths to accommodate Panamax‑class vessels and installing high‑efficiency shore‑power systems to reduce emissions while docked.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Quays
| Berth | Length (m) | Max. Draft (m) | Primary Cargo |
|-------|------------|----------------|----------------|
| **Civic Wharf** | 210 | 12.0 | General cargo, cruise vessels |
| **Queens Wharf** | 285 | 11.5 | Bulk commodities (copper, coal) |
| **Macquarie Dock** | 180 | 10.5 | Roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) |
| **Hobart Container Terminal** | 250 | 12.0 | Containerized cargo, refrigerated goods |
All berths are equipped with **electro‑hydraulic cargo cranes (30 t capacity)**, mobile gantries, and shore‑power connections compliant with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s **Emission Control Areas (ECAs)** guidelines.
### Storage and Handling
- **Warehouse Space:** 85,000 m² of climate‑controlled storage, including 12,000 m² of reefer space for perishable goods.
- **Bulk Handling:** Two grain silos (total 150,000 t capacity) with conveyor‑based loading systems, and a dedicated **copper concentrate terminal** featuring dust‑suppression technology.
- **Customs & Security:** A fully integrated **Australian Border Force (ABF)** clearance suite, with 24‑hour surveillance, non‑intrusive inspection (NII) scanners, and a dedicated ISPS‑approved security perimeter.
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Road:** Direct access to the **A3 (Tasman Highway)** and **A7 (Southern Outlet)**, providing seamless freight movement to the Tasmanian highway network and the **Bass Strait ferry terminals** at Devonport and Burnie.
- **Rail:** The **Tasmanian rail line** links Hobart to the **Melbourne‑Port of Melbourne** corridor via rail‑ferry services, supporting container and bulk export flows.
- **Air:** Proximity (≈10 km) to **Hobart International Airport** enables air‑fast logistics for high‑value, time‑critical cargo.
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## Economic Importance
### Regional Contribution
The Port of Hobart accounts for **≈30 %** of Tasmania’s total export value, with the primary commodities being **copper concentrate, woodchips, dairy products, and seafood**. According to the **Tasmanian Economic Review 2024**, port‑related activities generate **AU$2.3 billion** in gross regional product (GRP) and sustain over **12,000 direct and indirect jobs** across logistics, manufacturing, and tourism sectors.
### Strategic Role in Antarctic Supply Chains
Hobart’s ice‑class berth and dedicated cold‑storage facilities make it the preferred embarkation point for **Australian Antarctic Programme** vessels. Annually, the port supports **≈15** research and supply ships, contributing AU$120 million in ancillary services (fuel, provisions, crew support).
### Cruise Tourism
Since the inauguration of the **Hobart Cruise Terminal (2019)**, the port has recorded a **15 % YoY increase** in cruise arrivals, attracting vessels such as Royal Caribbean’s *Oasis‑class* ships. The influx of cruise passengers injects an estimated **AU$80 million** into the local hospitality and retail sectors each summer season.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
| Destination | Vessel Type | Frequency (calls/yr) |
|-------------|------------|----------------------|
| **Melbourne (Port of Melbourne)** | Container, Ro‑Ro | 180 |
| **Devonport** | Bulk, general cargo | 95 |
| **Shanghai** | Bulk carriers (copper) | 28 |
| **Antarctica (Casey, Mawson)** | Ice‑strengthened supply ships | 12 |
The port’s **South‑East Asian** trade lane (China, Japan, South Korea) primarily transports **copper concentrate** and **timber** via bulk carriers ranging from 30,000 to 70,000 dwt. The **Australian east‑coast corridor** handles containerized goods, including electronics, machinery, and consumer products, feeding Tasmania’s manufacturing and retail markets.
### Dominant Cargo Profiles
- **Copper Concentrate:** ~1.9 Mt/yr, sourced from the **Mount Lyell** and **Henty** mines, exported predominantly to smelters in China and Japan.
- **Timber & Woodchips:** ~1.1 Mt/yr, sourced from Tasmanian hardwood plantations, shipped to Asian pulp and paper mills.
- **Dairy & Seafood:** ~0.6 Mt/yr, with high‑value refrigerated containers destined for New Zealand, Singapore, and Gulf states.
- **Containers (TEU):** 210,000 TEU (2023), split between import of consumer goods and export of Tasmanian specialty products (e.g., premium leather, wine).
### Emerging Opportunities
The **Australian Government’s “National Freight Strategy”** (2023) highlights Hobart as a focal point for **green logistics**, encouraging the adoption of **alternative fuels (LNG, hydrogen)** and **electrified shore power**. Additionally, the **Southern Ocean Gateway Initiative** aims to increase the frequency of Antarctic resupply missions, positioning Hobart to capture a larger share of the **research vessel support market**.
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*For further technical details, consult the Port of Hobart’s official navigation guide (https://www.hobartport.com.au) and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s vessel‑port database (https://www.amsa.gov.au).*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
AUHBA
Country
Australia
Province / Region
Tasmania
Latitude
-42.870000
Longitude
147.300000
Timezone
Australia/Melbourne
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Hobart?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Hobart is AUHBA.
Where is Port of Hobart located?
The Port of Hobart is located in Australia, Tasmania. Its coordinates are -42.8700°N, 147.3000°E.
What time zone is Port of Hobart in?
Port of Hobart operates in the Australia/Melbourne time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.26 m
Wave Direction192°
Swell Height0.18 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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