Port guide · UN/LOCODE PG LAE
Lae, Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea · 6.73° S, 147.00° E
The World Port Index classes Lae as an open roadstead on the Solomon Sea. It records a channel depth of 11 m and a cargo pier depth of 14 m. Norfolk is 14,500 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 11 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 14 m
- Max vessel length
- 211.9 m
- From Norfolk
- 14,500 kmGreat-circle distance
- Nearest port guide
- Port Moresby300 km away
Depths and vessel limits
Of the 4 ports in Papua New Guinea with guides here, Lae records the deepest cargo pier in the index. The index sets a maximum vessel length of 211.9 m and a maximum draft of 14.1 m.
- Channel depth
- 11 m
- Anchorage depth
- 23.2 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 14 m
- Oil terminal depth
- 14 m
- Tidal range
- 1 m
- Maximum vessel length
- 211.9 m
- Maximum vessel beam
- 36 m
- Maximum vessel draft
- 14.1 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
Lae 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
- Tug salvage
- No
- Arrival notice (ETA message) required
- Yes
- Shelter afforded
- Good
- Entrance restricted by tide
- No
- Entrance restricted by swell
- Yes
- Entrance restricted by ice
- No
- Overhead limits
- Yes
Cargo handling
Cargo facilities on record: container and breakbulk.
- Container
- Yes
- Breakbulk
- Yes
- Oil terminal
- Yes
- Wharves
- Yes
- Fixed cranes
- No
- Mobile cranes
- No
- Floating cranes
- No
- Lifts of 100 tons and over
- No
- Lifts of 50 to 100 tons
- No
- Lifts of 25 to 49 tons
- No
- Lifts up to 24 tons
- No
- Longshore labor
- Yes
Services and supplies
- Repairs
- None
- Fuel oil
- Yes
- Diesel oil
- Yes
- Potable water
- Yes
- Medical facilities
- Yes
- Garbage disposal
- Yes
- Dirty ballast disposal
- No
- Airport
- Yes
US trade with Papua New Guinea
- US exports, 2025
- $82.3MLed by machinery and mechanical appliances
- US imports, 2025
- $78.5MLed by coffee, tea and spices
Other ports in Papua New Guinea
The nearest is Port Moresby, 300 km away in a straight line.
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.