[3] Until the 1930s the port was predominantly used to import goods and stores for the local industries and to export pearl, shell, wool, livestock, gold, tin and copper.

With the end of World War II, the port began exporting significant amounts of manganese.

Mount Goldsworthy Mining Associates, a company later absorbed by BHP, dredged an approach channel and turning basin for 65,000 DWT ships.

The tugboat pen, customs office and public jetty are at nearby Laurentius Point.

The following series of images depicts a 225 m (246.1 yd) long bulk carrier, Darya Shanthi, using the channel to enter the harbour.