Port guide · UN/LOCODE AU CNS
Cairns, Australia
Australia · 16.92° S, 145.78° E
The World Port Index classes Cairns as a river port reached from the Coral Sea. It records a channel depth of 8.3 m and a cargo pier depth of 10.5 m. Norfolk is 15,340 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 8.3 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 10.5 m
- Max vessel length
- 294 m
- From Norfolk
- 15,340 kmGreat-circle distance
- Nearest port guide
- Mourilyan Harbour80 km away
Depths and vessel limits
The index sets a maximum vessel length of 294 m and a maximum draft of 10.1 m.
- Channel depth
- 8.3 m
- Anchorage depth
- 11 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 10.5 m
- Oil terminal depth
- 9.3 m
- Tidal range
- 2.6 m
- Entrance width
- 90 m
- Maximum vessel length
- 294 m
- Maximum vessel beam
- 32.3 m
- Maximum vessel draft
- 10.1 m
As recorded in the World Port Index. Gauges run from 0 to 25 m. Confirm current depths and limits with the port before you fix a vessel.
Facilities on record
Arrival and entry
Pilotage is compulsory.
- Pilotage compulsory
- Yes
- Pilotage available
- Yes
- Pilotage advisable
- Yes
- Tug assistance
- Yes
- Tug salvage
- No
- Arrival notice (ETA message) required
- Yes
- Port security
- Yes
- Vessel traffic service
- Yes
- Shelter afforded
- Good
- Entrance restricted by tide
- No
- Entrance restricted by swell
- No
- Entrance restricted by ice
- No
- Overhead limits
- No
Cargo handling
Cargo facilities on record: container, breakbulk, solid bulk and liquid bulk. The heaviest lift class recorded is 25 to 49 tons.
- Container
- Yes
- Ro-ro
- No
- Breakbulk
- Yes
- Solid bulk
- Yes
- Liquid bulk
- Yes
- Wharves
- Yes
- Anchorage
- Yes
- Fixed cranes
- Yes
- Mobile cranes
- Yes
- Lifts of 25 to 49 tons
- Yes
- Lifts up to 24 tons
- Yes
- Longshore labor
- Yes
- Railway
- Small
Services and supplies
Repair capability is rated moderate.
- Repairs
- Moderate
- Dry dock
- Small
- Electrical repair
- Yes
- Fuel oil
- Yes
- Potable water
- Yes
- Provisions
- Yes
- Deck supplies
- Yes
- Engine supplies
- Yes
- Shore electricity
- Yes
- Medical facilities
- Yes
- Garbage disposal
- Yes
- Dirty ballast disposal
- Yes
- Airport
- Yes
US trade with Australia
- US exports, 2025
- $33.7BLed by machinery and mechanical appliances
- US imports, 2025
- $29.0BLed by precious stones, metals and jewelry
Other ports in Australia
The nearest is Mourilyan Harbour, 80 km away in a straight line.
- AlbanyCargo pier 11 m, channel 11 m, breakbulk and bulkAU ALH
- ArdrossanCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 7.9 m, breakbulk and bulkAU ARD
- Beauty PointCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 21.6 mAU BYP
- Botany BayCargo pier 13.9 m, channel 14.4 m, container, ro-ro and breakbulkAU BTB
- BrisbaneCargo pier 14.9 m, channel 9.1 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU BNE
- BroomeCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 11 mAU BME
- BunburyCargo pier 11 m, channel 12.5 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU BUY
- BundabergCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 7.9 m, breakbulk and bulkAU BDB
- BurnieCargo pier 11 m, channel 9.4 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU BWT
- DampierCargo pier 18.6 m, channel 11 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU DAM
- DarwinCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 18.6 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU DRW
- DevonportCargo pier 9.5 m, channel 7.9 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU DPO
- EdenCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 9.4 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU QDN
- EsperanceCargo pier 18.6 m, channel 18.6 m, container, breakbulk and bulkAU EPR
- FremantleCargo pier 12.5 m, channel 12.5 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU FRE
- GeelongCargo pier 9.1 m, channel 12.3 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU GEX
- GeraldtonCargo pier 12.5 m, channel 14 m, breakbulk and bulkAU GET
- GladstoneCargo pier 11.2 m, channel 10.6 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU GLT
- GoveCargo pier 12.5 m, channel 12.5 mAU GOV
- Hay PointCargo pier 16.5 m, channel 13.1 m, container, breakbulk and bulkAU HPT
- HobartCargo pier 11 m, channel 12.5 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU HBA
- LauncestonCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 1.8 mAU LST
- LucindaCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 12.5 m, bulkAU LUC
- MackayCargo pier 10.6 m, channel 8.5 m, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU MKY
- MelbourneCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 11.6 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU MEL
- Mourilyan HarbourCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 6.4 m, bulkAU MOU
- NewcastleCargo pier 11.5 m, channel 17.7 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU NTL
- Port AdelaideCargo pier 12.5 m, channel 14 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU PAE
- Port AlmaCargo pier 9.2 m, channel 7 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU PTL
- Port GilesCargo pier 11 m, channel 12.5 m, bulkAU PGI
- Port HedlandCargo pier 17.1 m, channel 14 m, breakbulk and bulkAU PHE
- Port HuonCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 7.9 m, bulkAU PHU
- Port KemblaCargo pier 15.1 m, channel 15.2 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU PKL
- Port LattaCargo pier 15.5 m, channel 14 mAU PLA
- Port LincolnCargo pier 14 m, channel 14 m, ro-ro and bulkAU PLO
- Port PirieCargo pier 11 m, channel 9.4 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU PPI
- Port WalcottCargo pier 18.6 m, channel 12.5 m, breakbulk and bulkAU PWL
- PortlandCargo pier 10.5 m, channel 11.5 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU PTJ
- StanleyCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 7.9 m, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU STA
- SydneyCargo pier 20.6 m, channel 10.5 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU SYD
- ThevenardCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 7.9 m, breakbulk and bulkAU THE
- Thursday IslandCargo pier 4.9 m, channel 5.3 m, breakbulkAU TIS
- TownsvilleCargo pier 12.2 m, channel 11.7 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkAU TSV
- Useless LoopCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 9.4 m, breakbulk and bulkAU USL
- WallarooCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 7.9 m, breakbulk and bulkAU WAL
- WeipaCargo pier 11 m, channel 9.4 mAU WEI
- Western PortCargo pier 11 m, channel 14 m, breakbulkAU WEP
- WhyallaCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 9.4 m, breakbulk and bulkAU WYA
- WyndhamCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 6.4 mAU WYN
Sources
- US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
- Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
- Distances are great-circle distances computed from World Port Index coordinates, not sailing distances.
- Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.