# Useless Loop (AU USL)

**UN/LOCODE:** AU USL  
**Country:** Australia  
**Water Body:** Indian Ocean  
**Harbor Size:** Very Small  
**Harbor Type:** Open Roadstead  
**GPS:** -26.0833, 113.4000

Shark Bay Salt, a Mitsui & Co. operation, is the single reason Useless Loop exists as a port: the company has run the solar-salt field on this remote stretch of Western Australia since 1973 and took full ownership in 2005. Around 1.4 million tonnes of high-purity salt leave each year, moved onto bulk carriers by a dedicated conveyor and ship loader at what is an open roadstead sheltered by Dirk Hartog Island. There is no container or general-cargo terminal here and no scheduled liner trade — handling is limited to bulk salt exports. Customs and freight services for boxes, reefer or breakbulk are not available, and the sparsely populated hinterland is reached only by road. Forwarders needing container, project or general cargo in the region should route through Geraldton or Fremantle.

## Transit Times & Routes

- [Sydney → Shanghai](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/sydney-shanghai)
- [Sydney → Shenzhen](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/sydney-shenzhen)
- [Sydney → Guangzhou](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/sydney-guangzhou)
- [Sydney → Hong Kong](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/sydney-hong-kong)
- [Sydney → Tokyo](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/sydney-tokyo)
- [Sydney → Busan](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/sydney-busan)

---

*Freight Academy — Seaport Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/useless-loop-port-au-usl](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/useless-loop-port-au-usl)*

*Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/seaports/en/useless-loop-port-au-usl](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/seaports/en/useless-loop-port-au-usl)*

*LLM-Summary (JSON): https://www.freight-academy.com/api/v1/seaports/useless-loop-port-au-usl/llm-summary?lang=en*