Port Kembla, Australia

Port Overview

Port Kembla is located about 90 km south of Sydney in the Illawarra region of New South Wales. It is one of Australia’s largest industrial ports, ranking as a major international trade gateway for bulk agricultural, construction, and mining industries. Port Kembla is the largest motor vehicle import hub in New South Wales and the principal grain export port for southern NSW. The port currently handles approximately 2.5 million TEU annually, supporting its strategic role in both import and export logistics for the region.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Port Kembla is a major Australian port featuring specialized terminals for bulk liquids, dry bulk, grain, motor vehicles, and general cargo. Key facilities include the Inner and Outer Harbours, a large motor vehicle import hub, grain export terminal, and a new LNG regasification terminal. The port is equipped with multiple berths, bulk liquid pipelines, shore storage tanks, and heavy-lift cranes. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are not currently a core feature of its operations.

Container Terminals

Port Kembla’s container terminal, operated by Australian Amalgamated Terminals (AAT), features four berths (Berths 103, 105, 106, and 107) with a total quay length of 910 meters and a depth of 12.1 meters. The terminal is multi-purpose, handling containers, vehicles, and general cargo, with an estimated capacity of up to 1.2 million TEU. Automation is limited, relying mainly on mobile harbour cranes and conventional handling equipment.

Port Services

• Container handling: Facilities for loading, unloading, and storage of containers, including mobile harbour cranes and container handling equipment.
• Cargo operations: Handling of bulk, break bulk, motor vehicles, grain, coal, steel products, and general cargo.
• Ship services: Pilotage, ship scheduling, navigation aids, vessel traffic management, and engineering repairs.
• Warehousing: Undercover storage areas for vehicles, containers, and general cargo, with short, medium, and long-term options.
• Customs: Australian Border Force integrated systems, AQIS-approved services, and bonded storage for customs clearance and biosecurity compliance.

Global Connectivity

Port Kembla, located in New South Wales, is a major gateway for the Illawarra region, serving southern and southwestern NSW. It connects with key Australian ports such as Melbourne and Brisbane, and has direct shipping routes to New Zealand and Asia. The port is a leading hub for vehicle imports, grain exports, steel, and bulk cargo, supporting regional industries and facilitating trade with major international markets.

Port Statistics

Port Kembla, Australia – Key Statistics

• TEU Throughput: Approved for up to 1.2 million TEU annually, with future plans for 3 million TEU capacity.
• World Ranking: Not currently ranked among the world’s top container ports; primarily a bulk and vehicle port.
• Number of Berths: 12 operational berths, including dedicated bulk, general cargo, and container berths.
• Area: Approximately 185 hectares.
• Shipping Lines: Serviced by major international shipping lines, including those handling bulk, break-bulk, vehicles, and containers.