Busiest Cargo Ports in Oceania

The Oceania region has 25 dependencies and 14 countries which depend on each other for economic growth and trade. Australia and New Zealand are the two main countries that influence the existence of the dependencies. They provide food, health aid, and other needs to the smaller economies surrounding them. The largest and most crucial cargo ports are found in Australia. Sea transportation is the most extensively used means for transporting goods and services between Australia, New Zealand, and the surrounding countries. Here are the busiest cargo ports in Oceania:

Major Ports in Oceania

Port Hedland

Port Hedland is the biggest port in Australia and the whole of Oceania region, handling about 452 million tons of cargo. The port is located on the western coast of Australia where it links with other seaports in Oceania. It has the latest technology in advanced cyclone tracking and forecasting. In 2006, Port Hedland was the first Australian port to trade more than 110 million tons in a single year. The port is at Maritime Security Level 1 and includes advanced safety and infrastructure equipment such as synchronized beacons.

Port Dampier

Port Dampier is the second largest port in Australia, with a cargo volume of 169 million tons traded each year. The port is located on the western coast of Australia near Port Hedland. In 2014, Port Hedland and Dampier amalgamated to form the Pilbara Ports Authority with several other ports stretching from Port of Ashburton in the south to the north at Port Hedland. About 95 percent of all cargo handled here is iron ore which is then distributed to the rest of the world.

Port of Brisbane

The port of Brisbane is the largest cargo port in the Australian state of Queensland. The port is also the most important container port in Australia and an important link for rail, sea and road transport. The port is ranked at Maritime Security Level 1. The port is known for its strict adherence to environmental regulations and is focused on maintaining an ecological balance always.

Port of Melbourne

This port contributes 37 percent of all container trade in Australia. It is at Maritime Security Level 1 and trades about 35 million tons of cargo per year. The port of Melbourne includes features such as 100 nautical miles of shipping channels, over forty shipping lines and fairways, and commercial berths. It is also home to numerous cruise ship carriers.

Wellington

The port of Wellington is strategically located to facilitate domestic and international shipping services while also linking road and rail transportation. It is the only major cargo port in Oceania that is found elsewhere except Australia. With a cargo volume of 15 million tons, it is the largest port in New Zealand.

Fremantle Ports

The Freemantle ports are crucial to the growth of the domestic economy in Australia. The port provides numerous employment opportunities while streamlining the trade of goods and services. The Freemantle ports trade goods such as cement, iron ore, gypsum, coke, fertilizers, and sulfuric acid. This makes it the eighth largest port with over 31 million tons of cargo volume.

Impact of Ports on the Environment

The surrounding environment is heavily affected by port activities which could result in pollution and loss of biodiversity. To avert this, port authorities in Oceania have implemented environmental policies that foster conservation and minimal pollution.