UN/LOCODE: AUPHE📍 Australia
Port of Port Hedland (UN/LOCODE AUPHE)
❖ Coordinates: -20.3116°N, 118.5753°E
❖ Time Zone: Australia/Perth
❖ UN/LOCODE: AUPHE
## About the Port
Port Hedland (UN/LOCODE: **AUPHE**) is situated on the north‑western coast of Western Australia, at latitude ‑20.3116266 and longitude 118.5752577. Serving as the gateway to the Pilbara mining belt, it is the world’s busiest bulk‑export terminal for iron ore and the third‑largest cargo port in Australia by tonnage. The port operates within the **Australia/Perth** time zone (UTC +8) and is administered by the **Port Authority of Western Australia (PAWA)** under the State Ports Act 1995. Its deep‑water berths, extensive dredged channels, and on‑shore rail‑to‑ship interfaces enable simultaneous handling of dry bulk, liquid bulk, and containerised cargoes.
## History
The site that would become Port Hedhead was first surveyed by European explorers in the early 19th century, but it remained a modest pearl‑shell and cattle‑droving outpost until the 1960s. The discovery of rich iron‑ore deposits in the Pilbara region triggered a strategic shift:
* **1965‑1970** – The Western Australian government commissioned the construction of a single‑berth iron‑ore export facility, operated initially by **Hamersley Iron** (now part of Rio Tinto).
* **1975** – A second berth was added, enabling a **dual‑ship loading system** that significantly reduced vessel turnaround.
* **1991** – The **East and West Ports** were merged under a unified management structure, expanding capacity to accommodate the surge in bulk‑carrier sizes (up to 400 kt DWT).
* **2000‑2015** – Private‑sector investment, notably by **BHP Billiton**, introduced the **South West Fly‑ash Facility** and the **Dampier‑Port Hedland joint rail corridor**, which consolidated rail logistics across the Pilbara.
* **2022** – The port celebrated the handling of **over 750 million tonnes** of cargo in a single financial year, setting a new benchmark for Australian export terminals.
Throughout its evolution, Port Hedland has been a focal point for environmental and Indigenous heritage considerations, leading to progressive community‑engagement frameworks and the implementation of stringent emissions‑control protocols.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Dredged Navigation Channels
* **Main Channel:** 24 m (79 ft) depth, 250 m (820 ft) width, regularly maintained to accommodate **Capesize** vessels up to 400 kt.
* **Approach Channel:** 20 m depth, equipped with **Automatic Identification System (AIS)** beacons and **VHF** communication relays for real‑time traffic management.
### Berths & Loading Systems
| Berth | Type | Length (m) | Max Draft (m) | Primary Cargo |
|-------|------|------------|----------------|---------------|
| 1 – Iron Ore | Dry bulk | 350 | 23 | Iron ore |
| 2 – Iron Ore | Dry bulk | 350 | 23 | Iron ore |
| 3 – General Cargo | Multi‑purpose | 300 | 18 | Containers, project cargo |
| 4 – Liquid Bulk | Terminal | 250 | 20 | Crude oil, LPG |
| 5 – Fly‑ash & Coal | Dry bulk | 280 | 21 | Coal, fly‑ash |
*Both iron‑ore berths employ **rail‑mounted conveyor belts** capable of loading at **12 kt/h** per vessel, one of the highest throughput rates globally.*
### On‑Shore Support
* **Rail Yard:** 14 km of double‑track rail linking the port to the **Hamersley and Mount Whaleback mines**, with a total handling capacity of **150 kt/day**.
* **Storage Yards:** 2 km² of covered and open storage for coal, fly‑ash, and general cargo, equipped with **dust suppression** and **fire‑fighting** systems.
* **Customs & Immigration:** Integrated **Australian Border Force** facilities, offering 24 h clearance for both crew and cargo.
### Utilities & Sustainability Features
* **Shore Power (Cold Ironing):** Enables vessels to plug into the local grid while at berth, reducing bunker‑fuel consumption up to 30 %.
* **Renewable Energy Integration:** A 25 MW solar array, commissioned in 2021, supplies ~15 % of the port’s operational electricity.
* **Water Management:** Closed‑loop desalination plant (4 ML/day) provides potable water for staff and auxiliary services.
## Economic Importance
Port Hedland is a **linchpin of Australia’s export economy**, facilitating more than 60 % of the nation’s iron‑ore shipments and a substantial share of its coal, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and bulk agricultural exports. Key economic indicators include:
* **Annual Cargo Throughput:** Approx. **750 million tonnes** (2022‑23), ranking it among the top 20 global bulk ports.
* **Employment:** Directly sustains **~2,500** full‑time positions, with an indirect employment multiplier of **~4.5**, supporting regional communities from Karratha to Newman.
* **Revenue Generation:** Generates an estimated **AU$5 billion** in port fees, customs duties, and ancillary services per annum.
The port’s efficiency directly influences the **global iron‑ore price index**, as delays or capacity constraints can affect supply contracts across Asia, Europe, and North America. Moreover, its diversified cargo base mitigates exposure to commodity price volatility, ensuring **steady fiscal contributions** to the Western Australian Treasury.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
| Destination Region | Typical Vessel Types | Frequency (monthly) |
|--------------------|----------------------|---------------------|
| East Asia (China, Japan, South Korea) | Capesize, Very Large Ore Carriers (VLOC) | 45‑55 |
| South Asia (India, Bangladesh) | Panamax, Supramax | 12‑18 |
| Europe (Netherlands, Germany) | Ultra‑Large Container Vessels (ULCV) for general cargo | 5‑8 |
| Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia) | Aframax, Suezmax | 6‑10 |
The **East Asian corridor** dominates iron‑ore traffic, with the majority of vessels transiting the **Strait of Malacca** before docking at ports such as **Qingdao**, **Kobe**, and **Busan**. Coal shipments frequently head toward **South Korea’s Pohang** and **Japan’s Chiba**. The **liquid bulk lane** connects to **Singapore’s Jurong** and **Dubai’s Jumeirah**.
### Major Cargo Profiles
* **Iron Ore:** Approximately **500 million tonnes** annually, primarily sourced from the **Mount Whaleback**, **Marble Bar**, and **Yarrie** mines. Export contracts are predominantly **long‑term FOB agreements** with Asian steel producers.
* **Coal:** Roughly **120 million tonnes** of both thermal and metallurgical coal, supplied by **BHP Billiton** and **Rio Tinto**.
* **Fly‑Ash & Aluminium‑Smelter By‑Products:** 30 million tonnes, exported to cement manufacturers in Southeast Asia.
* **Liquids:** About **1 million tonnes** of **crude oil** and **LPG**, imported for regional distribution and refinery feedstock.
* **Containers & Project Cargo:** 150,000 TEU annually, encompassing mining equipment, agricultural machinery, and high‑value consumer goods.
The port’s **multi‑modal logistics**—integrating rail, road, and sea—enable a **door‑to‑door** turnaround of **under 48 hours** for high‑priority shipments, positioning Port Hedland as a benchmark for **lean supply‑chain performance** in the Southern Hemisphere.
**References**
* Port Authority of Western Australia – *Port Hedland Infrastructure Overview* (https://www.portauthority.wa.gov.au/Port-Hedland)
* Australian Bureau of Statistics – *International Trade in Goods and Services* (https://www.abs.gov.au)
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*Keywords: Port Hedland, Western Australia port, iron ore export, bulk carrier, Pilbara logistics, Australian maritime infrastructure, UN/LOCODE AUPHE*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
AUPHE
Country
Australia
Province / Region
Western Australia
Latitude
-20.311627
Longitude
118.575258
Timezone
Australia/Perth
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Port Hedland?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Port Hedland is AUPHE.
Where is Port of Port Hedland located?
The Port of Port Hedland is located in Australia, Western Australia. Its coordinates are -20.3116°N, 118.5753°E.
What time zone is Port of Port Hedland in?
Port of Port Hedland operates in the Australia/Perth time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.52 m
Wave Direction42°
Swell Height0.46 m
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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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