Logistical Challenge: October 2010

Geelong is the largest regional Port in Victoria, the 6th largest in Australia. With a heavy emphasis on bulk cargo it's major import/export commodity includes crude oil, fertilizer, automotive components, grain, steel & wood chips. Shell Refinery, Incitec Pivot, Toyota Tsusho, GrainCorp and One Steel dominate the Port regions of North Shore and Corio.

Portland is a deep water bulk Port positioned somewhat between Melbourne and Adelaide. Once again like its counterpart Geelong, it specializes in agriculture and mining. Whilst it also exports aluminum ingots and livestock.

Hastings specializes in oil, liquid petroleum gas (LPG), unleaded petrol (ULP) & steel. It is located approximately 75km from Melbourne. The discovery of LPG in Bass Strait during the sixties required immediate attention and extra Port facililites were developed shortly after. The following decade the steel industry established itself at Western Port.

Melbourne is the largest container port in Australia, over 40 shipping lines utilize Williamstown and Station pier. During 2007 - 2008 1,050,445 TEU's were imported alone through Melbourne, 727,037 TEU's exported.

For further information;

Department of Transport [online] www.transport.vic.gov.au

Port of Victoria [online] http://www.portofvictoria.com
Wiki Entry [online] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasmanian_Ports_Corporation

Image Courtesy: Ports of Australia Diagram; cropped and reduced 26th Febuary 2010; Ports Australia, [online]www.portsaustralia.com.au/, Available from: SOURCE [Accessed 26 Febuary 2010]