Port guide · UN/LOCODE NZ WLG
Wellington, New Zealand
New Zealand · 41.28° S, 174.78° E · Also listed as Port Nicholson
The World Port Index classes Wellington as a natural coastal harbor on the Cook Strait. It records a channel depth of 11.3 m and a cargo pier depth of 11.1 m. Norfolk is 14,030 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 11.3 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 11.1 m
- Max vessel draft
- 11.3 m
- From Norfolk
- 14,030 kmGreat-circle distance
- Nearest port guide
- Nelson130 km away
Depths and vessel limits
The index sets a maximum vessel draft of 11.3 m.
- Channel depth
- 11.3 m
- Anchorage depth
- 13 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 11.1 m
- Oil terminal depth
- 11.1 m
- Tidal range
- 1 m
- Maximum vessel draft
- 11.3 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
Wellington is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.
- First port of entry
- Yes
- Pilotage compulsory
- Yes
- Pilotage available
- Yes
- Pilotage advisable
- Yes
- Tug assistance
- Yes
- Arrival notice (ETA message) required
- Yes
- Port security
- Yes
- Vessel traffic service
- No
- Shelter afforded
- Excellent
- Entrance restricted by tide
- Yes
- Entrance restricted by swell
- No
- Entrance restricted by ice
- No
Cargo handling
Cargo facilities on record: container, ro-ro, breakbulk, solid bulk and liquid bulk. The heaviest lift class recorded is 50 to 100 tons.
- Container
- Yes
- Ro-ro
- Yes
- Breakbulk
- Yes
- Solid bulk
- Yes
- Liquid bulk
- Yes
- Wharves
- Yes
- Anchorage
- Yes
- Dangerous cargo anchorage
- Yes
- Fixed cranes
- Yes
- Lifts of 50 to 100 tons
- Yes
- Lifts up to 24 tons
- Yes
- Longshore labor
- Yes
- Railway
- Small
Services and supplies
Repair capability is rated limited.
- Repairs
- Limited
- Dry dock
- None
- Fuel oil
- Yes
- Diesel oil
- Yes
- Potable water
- Yes
- Provisions
- Yes
- Medical facilities
- Yes
- Garbage disposal
- Yes
- Dirty ballast disposal
- No
- Airport
- Yes
US trade with New Zealand
- US exports, 2025
- $4.1BLed by aircraft and spacecraft
- US imports, 2025
- $5.6BLed by meat
Other ports in New Zealand
The nearest is Nelson, 130 km away in a straight line.
- AucklandCargo pier 13 m, channel 12.5 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkNZ AKL
- GisborneCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 9.4 m, container, breakbulk and bulkNZ GIS
- GreymouthCargo pier 4.9 m, channel 1.8 mNZ GMN
- Manukau HarborCargo pier 4.9 m, channel 3.4 m, containerNZ MCY
- NelsonCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 6.4 mNZ NSN
- New PlymouthCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 9.4 mNZ NPL
- OpuaCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 4.9 m, ro-roNZ OPX
- Otago HarborCargo pier 12.5 m, channel 14 mNZ ORR
- Port LytteltonCargo pier 13.7 m, channel 17 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkNZ LYT
- TaurangaCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 14 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkNZ TRG
- TimaruCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 9.4 m, container, breakbulk and bulkNZ TIU
- WhangareiCargo pier 4.9 m, channel 7.9 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkNZ WRE
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.