port of portland the bay




The Port of Portland

The Port of Portland is a deep-water bulk port strategically located between the capital city ports of Melbourne and Adelaide.

The port specialises in the storage and handling of bulk commodities and serves the region's rich agricultural, forestry and mining industries as well as locally based aluminium and fertiliser producers. Approximately 4 million tonnes of cargo are transferred over Portland wharves annually. The established export trade includes grain, woodchips, logs, aluminium ingots and livestock whilst the major import commodities include alumina, liquid pitch and fertiliser products.

The modern Portland harbour is formed by two man made breakwaters with a north facing entrance channel. There are four common user berths catering for most types of bulk and general cargo vessels and a fifth special purpose berth dedicated to Portland Aluminium.

The port's close proximity to overseas and interstate shipping lanes, coupled with its deep-water approaches, provides shipping with speedy and unimpeded access right to the entrance of the harbour basin.

The Port of Portland is served by both road and the national standard gauge rail system. Both road and rail entry routes bypass the City of Portland allowing 24-hour access and trouble free entrance to the port area.

Storage areas within the port are flat and readily accessible. Sites are available to accommodate the future storage needs of existing business as well as new trade opportunities.

Modern receival and storage facilities combined with efficient loading systems and a dedicated workforce offers shipping turn around times amongst the best in Australia. Portland has a reputation for efficient operations and has a stable industrial record.

The Port of Portland is responsible for control and navigation of all vessels over 35 metres in length, all shipping services, pilot services, berth allocation, mooring gangs, water, telephone and quarantine waste disposal. Port management co-ordinates the towage and tender service, which is owned and operated by North Western Shipping & Towage Co. Pty. Limited. Pilotage is a 24-hour on-demand service.

Average pilotage time is approximately 1.5 hours minimising ship's time to port. Pilotage is compulsory, except for Masters with current Pilotage Exemption Certificates.

The port was purchased from the Victorian Government in March 1996. Port ownership is vested in two funds managed by Hastings Funds Management. These funds are the publicly listed Australian Infrastructure Fund and Utilities Trust of Australia, a private infrastructure fund.