PORT OF KARUMBA

OVERVIEW

Located at the mouth of the Norman River in the south-east corner of the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Port of Karumba has serviced remote Gulf communities since the late 1800s. The Zinifex Century Mine started exporting zinc concentrate through the port in December 1999 (known then as Pasminco).

Zinc slurry is piped 304km to the port from the mine, dewatered, and loaded onto a 5,000 tonne transfer vessel for the 40 km journey to export ships that anchor in deep water in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Other facilities in the port provide for general cargo, fuel, fisheries products, and the export of live cattle. Dredging services are provided to maintain the necessary channel depth, usually about every two years. Maritime Safety Queensland provides pilotage services, but no tugs are required at the port.

PORT SECURITY

The Port of Karumba is currently at Security Level 1. For more information on security requirements at Karumba, click on the following link SECURITY INFORMATION
TRADE

In 2007–08, the Port of Karumba exported 997,477 tonnes of zinc, 58,747 tonnes of lead, 10,272 tonnes of general cargo and 12,659 head of livestock.

A total of 64 ships visited the port in 2007–08.

MONTHLY ACTUAL THROUGHPUT

	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09
JUL	95,688	105,641	109,990
AUG	71,703	219,650	80,095
SEP	31,416	84,625	119,901
OCT	93,492	7,421	73,109
NOV	91,785	146,802	57
DEC	83,201	91,947	79,061
JAN	67,631	54,839	78
FEB	20,469	78,832	193,486
MAR	86,291	116,403	108,802
APR	114,505	94,540
MAY	90,553	91,447
JUN	79,852	54,043
TOTAL	926,586	1,146,190	764,579