Since the first commercial shipment was recorded in 1799, Port of Newcastle has grown to become Australia’s third-largest port by volume.
From the early years of the 19th century, the estuary of the Hunter River has been transformed from a series of mudflats and shallow channels to a major deep-water trading port.
Today, the fortunes of the City of Newcastle and the Hunter Region remain linked to its working harbour, which has provided trading opportunities, the creation of industries and employment and a place to establish a community.
With trade worth about $26 billion to the national economy each year, Port of Newcastle enables Australian businesses to successfully compete in international markets.
The Port operates twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, with twenty berths in use. It currently handles 4400 ship movements and 164 million tonnes of cargo annually. At the same time, Port of Newcastle’s dredger, the David Allan, operates 12 hours per day, seven days per week.
With a shipping channel operating at 50% of its capacity, significant port land available and enviable access to national rail and road infrastructure, Port of Newcastle is positioned to further underpin the future prosperity of the Hunter, NSW and Australia.