Port of Eden

The Port of Eden is a small seaport situated in Twofold Bay, adjacent to the town of Eden, located in the South Coast region of New South Wales, Australia.

Not to be confused with Eden, New South Wales.

Port of Eden
REM Etive at Eden and Mount Imlay
Location
CountryAustralia
LocationEden, South Coast, New South Wales
Coordinates37°04′S 149°54′E
Details
Operated byPort Authority of NSW
Owned byPort Authority of NSW
Type of harborSeaport
Land area10 hectares (25 acres)
Available berths3
Statistics
Vessel arrivalscirca 70 (FY2012)[1]
Annual cargo tonnage1,007,643 tonnes (991,729 long tons) (FY2011)[2]
Website
Port Authority of NSW

The Port is home to one of the largest fishing fleets in New South Wales; and woodchip export is currently the major trade for the port, exporting 1,007,643 tonnes (991,729 long tons) for the year to 30 June 2011.[2] Major vessel movements occur between Japan, China and Korea.

Principal imports are break bulk and machinery and equipment, mainly for the oil and gas industry. Principal exports are hardwood and softwood woodchips, softwood logs, explosives, and machinery and equipment for the oil and gas industry.[3][1]

Since 1 July 2014, the port has been managed by Port Authority of NSW, a corporation owned by the NSW Government.[4]

Industries

The port is a principal export point for timber products. During the year ended 30 June 2011, South East Fibre Exports Pty Limited exported 1,007,643 tonnes (991,729 long tons) in woodchips to customers located in Japan and Korea.[2] Woodchip storage and packaging facilities were constructed by Harris Daishowa in 1971.

A substantial fishing fleet also operates from the port and from Snug Cove.

Minor port uses include import and export services for the towns of Eden, Bega, Bombala and Cooma, and as a stopover for national and international cruise ships.[5]

In 1960 Mobil constructed a dedicated wharf, tanks and plant for small-scale petroleum imports and distribution to southern New South Wales.

Approximately 70 commercial vessels visited the Port of Eden during the year ended 30 June 2012; including two passenger cruise ships.[1] Civilian shipping movements in the port are regulated by a harbour master appointed by NSW Maritime.

The port is also shared with the Department of Defence and serviced approximately 30 Royal Australian Navy ships for the year ended 30 June 2012.[1] The Navy facility consists of a wharf, an access jetty and road, and a land-based munitions store 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the bay and surrounded by a 100 hectares (250 acres) exclusion zone.

Facilities

The port consists of two commercial shipping wharves, the Mobil petroleum wharf, a cargo storage area and ancillary facilities.

The Breakwater Wharf caters for the timber industry, the fishing fleet and cruise shipping. The wharf is 105 metres (344 ft) long with depths ranging from 3 metres (9.8 ft) to the landward end and 8.8 metres (29 ft) seaward, with a tidal variation of 2 metres (6 ft 7 in). The wharf itself is concrete with rubber fending.[5]

In 2003 a multi-purpose wharf and munitions facility was constructed to expand naval repair and refit operations and increase the port's timber export capacity by 150,000 tonnes (150,000 long tons). The length of the multi-purpose wharf is 200 metres (660 ft), accessed via a 560 metres (1,840 ft) timber jetty. Berthing depth is 12 metres (39 ft) but maximum vessel raft is restricted by a low-water fairway depth of 11 metres (36 ft).[5]

The common-user cargo storage area covers 10 hectares (25 acres) with a gravel surface and sealed internal roads. Storage capacity was estimated to reach 500,000 tonnes (490,000 long tons) in 2010/11.

History

European history

The bay was first charted by explorer George Bass in 1797[6] and has been used for commercial whaling and fishing since the 1840s. From the 1850s to 1950s the port was serviced by steamship companies, including the Illawarra Steam Navigation Company.

References
  1. "Annual Report 2011/2012" (PDF). Sydney Ports Corporation. 28 September 2012. p. 28. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  2. "Homepage". Eden Port. Sydney Ports Corporation. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  3. "Trade". Eden Port. Sydney Ports Corporation. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  4. "Annual Report 2011/2012" (PDF). Sydney Ports Corporation. 28 September 2012. p. 3. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  5. "Cruise the Garden of Eden". Sapphire Coast Tourism. 2007. Archived from the original on 31 August 2007. Retrieved 4 February 2008.
  6. Estensen, Miriam (2005). The Life of George Bass. Allen and Unwin. p. 82. ISBN 1-74114-130-3.
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