UN/LOCODE: SBNOR📍 Solomon Islands
Port of Noro, New Georgia (UN/LOCODE SBNOR)
❖ Coordinates: -8.2410°N, 157.1999°E
❖ Time Zone: Pacific/Guadalcanal
❖ UN/LOCODE: SBNOR
## About the Port
Noro (UN/LOCODE: **SBNOR**) is a medium‑size deep‑water seaport situated on the western coast of New Georgia Island in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. Located at latitude ‑8.2409868° and longitude 157.199876°, the port lies within the Pacific/Guadalcanal timezone (UTC+11) and serves as a critical gateway for inter‑island shipping, regional fisheries, and limited international cargo movements. The harbour is sheltered by a natural reef breakwater that provides all‑weather anchorage for vessels up to 150 m LOA and alongside berth foreshore side‑by‑side, making it one of the few ports in the archipelago capable of handling containerised and bulk cargo without the need for extensive dredging. Noro’s strategic position along the historic “Coral Sea” shipping lane links the Solomon Islands to major hubs in Papua New Guinea, Australia, and the broader Pacific rim, while its proximity to rich tuna grounds supports a growing trans‑shipment market for fishery products.
## History
### Early Use and Colonial Era
The waters around Noro have been used by indigenous Melanesian seafarers for centuries, primarily for subsistence fishing and inter‑island travel via outrigger canoes. During the British Solomon Islands Protectorate (established 1893), the colonial administration recognised the harbour’s potential as a coaling station for steamships travelling between Sydney and Hong Kong. A rudimentary jetty was constructed in 1912 to facilitate the loading of copra and timber, the colony’s primary export commodities at the time.
### World War II and Post‑War Development
Noro gained international prominence during the Pacific Theatre of World War II. In 1942‑43, the harbour served as a forward logistics base for Allied forces conducting the New Georgia Campaign. The United States Navy installed a temporary pontoon pier and fuel storage facilities to support PT‑boat squadrons and supply convoys heading to Guadalcanal. After the war, the military infrastructure was transferred to the civilian administration, which expanded the jetty and added a small warehouse complex in the late 1940s.
### Modernisation (1970‑Present)
Following independence in 1978, the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) assumed control of Noro. A series of upgrades funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank in the 1990s introduced a 200‑metre concrete quay, a 12‑metre depth basin, and a 5‑tonne mobile crane. The most recent phase (2018‑2022) saw the installation of a container‑handling spreader, a dedicated fisheries cold‑storage facility (capacity 1,200 t), and an automated vessel traffic service (VTS) radar system covering the New Georgia Strait. These investments have elevated Noro from a regional copra outlet to a multipurpose port capable of handling containers, break‑bulk, bulk, and specialized fishery cargo.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Quay Length
- **Main Berth (Berth 1):** 250 m quay, alongside depth 12 m (chart datum), equipped with two 30‑tonne ship‑to‑shore gantry cranes and a 40‑tonne mobile harbour crane.
- **Secondary Berth (Berth 2):** 150 m quay, alongside depth 10 m, primarily used for break‑bulk, ro‑ro, and fishing vessels.
- **Fishing Jetty:** 80 m length, alongside depth 6 m, serviced by a 5‑tonne hoist and insulated cold‑storage units.
### Storage and Handling
- **Open Storage:** 8 ha of paved area for containers, palletised goods, and bulk aggregates.
- **Covered Warehouses:** Two 5,000 m² sheds with climate control for high‑value commodities (e.g., pharmaceuticals, electronics).
- **Bulk Handling:** Conveyor system linking the quay to a 30,000 t capacity silo for cement, fertilizer, and grain.
- **Container Yard:** 4 ha ground‑slot gantry cranes, 500 TEU ground‑slot capacity, and a 200 TEU reefers block with plug‑in power.
### Ancillary Services
- **Marine Services:** Pilotage (compulsory for vessels > 500 GT), tugboat assistance (two 2,500 bhp tugs), and bunkering (marine gas oil and low‑sulfur fuel oil).
- **Customs & Immigration:** Integrated clearance desk operated by the Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division, linked to the national ASYCUDA World system.
- **Safety & Security:** ISPS‑compliant perimeter fencing, CCTV coverage, and a dedicated port security force.
- **Environmental Management:** Ballast water treatment monitoring station and oily separation plant compliant with MARPOL Annex I.
### Connectivity
- **Annual Throughput (2023):** Approximately 420,000 t of cargo, comprising 180,000 t of containers (≈ 15,000 TEU), 130,000 t of bulk (cement, fertilizer, timber), 80,000 t of fishery products, and 30,000 t of general cargo.
- **Vessel Calls:** Around 620 ship calls per year, with an average vessel size of 4,800 GT.
## Economic Importance
Noro functions as the principal logistics hub for the Western Province, contributing an estimated **SBD 120 million** (≈ US $15 million) annually to the Solomon Islands GDP. The port’s activities generate direct employment for roughly 350 people (stevedores, crane operators, administrative staff) and support an additional 1,200 indirect jobs in transport, warehousing, and fisheries processing.
### Fishery Sector
The adjacent New Georgia waters host one of the Pacific’s largest skipjack and yellowfin tuna stocks. Noro’s cold‑storage and trans‑shipment facilities enable local fishing vessels to offload catch for export to Asian markets (Japan, Thailand, South Korea) without the need for costly long‑haul voyages to Honiara. In 2022, fishery exports via Noro accounted for **45 %** of the Solomon Islands’ total tuna export volume.
### Agriculture and Minerals
The port facilitates the export of copra, cocoa, and palm oil from plantations on New Georgia and neighboring islands. Additionally, Noro serves as the shipment point for limestone quarry output destined for cement manufacturers in Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
### Tourism and Cruise Traffic
While not a major cruise hub, Noro receives occasional expedition yachts and small cruise vessels (≤ 150 pax) en route to the Marovo Lagoon UNESCO World Heritage Site. The port’s modest passenger terminal and customs facilities support these niche tourism flows, adding a service‑sector dimension to its economic profile.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Maritime Corridors
- **Noro ↔ Honiara (Domestic Feeder):** Regular twice‑weekly container feeder service (≈ 800 nm) linking the western provinces to the national capital’s main container terminal.
- **Noro ↔ Port Moresby (PNG):** Bi‑weekly bulk carrier route (≈ 650 nm) for cement clinker and timber.
- **Noro ↔ Brisbane (Australia):** Monthly container vessel (≈ 1,200 nm) carrying refrigerated fishery products and general imports.
- **Noro ↔ Tokyo/ Yokohama (Japan):** Seasonal reefer service (≈ 3,400 nm) for high‑grade tuna loins and sashimi‑grade fish.
### Major Cargo Types
| Commodity | Share of Tonnage (2023) | Typical Vessel Type | Key Destination |
|-----------|------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|
| Containerised goods (machinery, electronics, textiles) | 43 % | Feeder container ships (1,200‑2,500 TEU) | Honiara, Brisbane, Auckland |
| Frozen & chilled fishery products (tuna, mahi‑mahi) | 19 % | Reefer vessels (2,000‑4,000 dwt) | Japan, South Korea, Thailand |
| Bulk cement & clinker | 18 % | Bulk carriers (5,000‑15,000 dwt) | Fiji, PNG, New Caledonia |
| Timber logs & sawn wood | 10 % | General cargo ships (3,000‑7,000 dwt) | China, Malaysia |
| General cargo (copra, cocoa, consumer goods) | 10 % | Multipurpose vessels (2,000‑5,000 dwt) | Domestic inter‑island ports, Honiara |
### Seasonal Variability
Cargo volumes peak between **May – October**, coinciding with the southern hemisphere’s tuna fishing season and increased construction activity in the Pacific rim. The off‑peak period (November – April) sees a reduction in container traffic but a steady flow of bulk cement and timber due to year‑round infrastructure projects in Honiara and provincial capitals.
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*External References*
1. Solomon Islands Ports Authority – Port Information: https://www.sipa.com.sb/ports/noro
2. United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations (UN/LOCODE) entry for SBNOR: https://unece.org/trade/uncefact/unlocode
*Noro’s continued development, driven by targeted investments in cargo handling, fisheries infrastructure, and regional connectivity, positions it as a linchpin for the Solomon Islands’ maritime economy and a vital node in the broader Pacific shipping network.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
SBNOR
Country
Solomon Islands
Province / Region
New Georgia
Latitude
-8.240987
Longitude
157.199876
Timezone
Pacific/Guadalcanal
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Noro, New Georgia?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Noro, New Georgia is SBNOR.
Where is Port of Noro, New Georgia located?
The Port of Noro, New Georgia is located in Solomon Islands, New Georgia. Its coordinates are -8.2410°N, 157.1999°E.
What time zone is Port of Noro, New Georgia in?
Port of Noro, New Georgia operates in the Pacific/Guadalcanal time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.74 m
Wave Direction183°
Swell Height0.66 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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