Sea

Sea transport is critical to Australia as an island nation, especially in the case of Tasmania, an island state. It links Tasmania’s products to mainland Australia and overseas markets, and allows the state access to goods produced elsewhere. In fact, 99% of Tasmania’s domestic and international exports and imports travel via sea. And the figure is even higher for Tasmania with 99% of interstate and international trade passing through its ports.

Tasmania is home to 5 main ports with Bell Bay, Burnie, Devonport and Hobart providing the main shipping hubs. These ports see 15 million tonnes of freight imported and exported each year. This figure includes the Spirit of Tasmania Ferry carries both freight and passengers to and from Devonport.

Tasmania exports around twice what it imports. Primary sea exports by weight are zinc, aluminium, wood, iron ore and other base metal ores. Its top sea exports by value are wood, petrochemical products, grains and dairy.

The importance of sea transport to Australia is being recognised through major port infrastructure upgrades across the country. This includes channel deepening in Adelaide and Melbourne, and the building of a new container terminal in Sydney.

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