Other Features Navigation to and from port in Navigation to and from Navigation to and from port takes relatively short time. Tidal port very quick due to relatively long time due to river currents are not an issue coastal port transit. Also bar at mouth which is tidal with strong currents. Fog an issue for several days each year * Freight 3.35 M tonnes + 200,695 TEU 3.74 M tonnes + 242,284 2.33 M tonnes + 5,885 TEU Throughput TEU Access to Limited population; but Limited population; but Close to Launceston and main Population & industries in hinterland industries in hinterland population centres of North Tasmania Industrial Area Road & Rail Good road link; no rail link on Good road link. Good rail Good road link; but Limited and poor Links to Port dock on eastern side. Rail link on link on dock with plans to quality rail on dock western side upgrade Source: TasPort’s 2011/2012 Annual Review publication Table 15: Comparison of Port Features Commentary Tasmania’s Northern Ports We make a range of comments on each of the northern ports. Observation Comment Port locations Ports that have long river transits are not attractive to an International Liner shipping service because of the importance of maintaining schedules. Delays and issues with river navigation, draft limitations, bends, turning areas, traffic congestion, and fatigue on the crew etc., make river transits less desirable. As in many ports around the world, the container terminals have moved (or have been built) close to the mouth of the river. Also there is a move away from urban areas where real estate values are very high. Port Location Bell Bay is not well positioned compared to Devonport and Burnie and Comparison has some shallow outcrops in the river and strong currents at the rivers entrance. The mouth of river is affected by fog on certain days. The Tamar River is narrow and has some sharp bends, which causes some navigational difficulties. These could be limiting factors in large vessels calling at Bell Bay in the future. Bell Bay Draft While there is a deeper draft available in the river it is the draft over the Limitation shallow outcrops near the entrance that limits a vessels arrival and departure so vessels have to wait for the high tide to enter or leave the river, which is not attractive to shipping lines.
Other Features Navigation to and from port in relatively short time. Tidal currents are not an issue Navigation to and from port very quick due to coastal port Navigation to and from port takes relatively long time due to river transit. Also bar at mouth which is tidal with strong currents. Fog an issue for several days each year * Freight Throughput 3.35 M tonnes + 200,695 TEU 3.74 M tonnes + 242,284 TEU 2.33 M tonnes + 5,885 TEU Access to Population & Industrial Area Limited population; but industries in hinterland Limited population; but industries in hinterland Close to Launceston and main population centres of North Tasmania Road & Rail Links to Port Good road link; no rail link on dock on eastern side. Rail link on western side Good road link. Good rail link on dock with plans to upgrade Good road link; but Limited and poor quality rail on dock Source: TasPort’s 2011/2012 Annual Review publication Table 15: Comparison of Port Features Commentary Tasmania’s Northern Ports We make a range of comments on each of the northern ports. Observation Comment Port locations Ports that have long river transits are not attractive to an International Liner shipping service because of the importance of maintaining schedules. Delays and issues with river navigation, draft limitations, bends, turning areas, traffic congestion, and fatigue on the crew etc., make river transits less desirable. As in many ports around the world, the container terminals have moved (or have been built) close to the mouth of the river. Also there is a move away from urban areas where real estate values are very high. Port Location Comparison Bell Bay is not well positioned compared to Devonport and Burnie and has some shallow outcrops in the river and strong currents at the rivers entrance. The mouth of river is affected by fog on certain days. The Tamar River is narrow and has some sharp bends, which causes some navigational difficulties. These could be limiting factors in large vessels calling at Bell Bay in the future. Bell Bay Draft Limitation While there is a deeper draft available in the river it is the draft over the shallow outcrops near the entrance that limits a vessels arrival and departure so vessels have to wait for the high tide to enter or leave the river, which is not attractive to shipping lines.
Tasmanian_Shipping_and_Ports.docx