Port of Mackay goes “back-to-back” with bumper trade year

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Acting CEO Belinda Kenny said the multi-cargo port posted 3.51 million tonnes of throughput, just shy of the record-breaking 3.59 million tonnes set the year before.

“The Port of Mackay has put together back-to-back bumper trade performances, reflecting the strength and diversity of the Mackay region,” Ms Kenny said.

“Over the past financial year, sugar and grain along with fuel imports and break bulk cargo have led the way.

“Sugar, the port’s second-largest trade, was up 8.2 per cent at 1.06 million tonnes on last financial year, and grain, the third largest export was up 14.7 per cent at 342,581 (2022/23: 342,581 tonnes; 2021/22: 298,682 tonnes).”

“Petroleum saw its second-highest year at 1.7 million tonnes (2022/23:1.7 million tonnes; 2021/22: 1.84 million tonnes).”

Ms Kenny said the strong results were only possible thanks to the efforts of the people who worked at the port and across the Mackay region supply chain.

“Across our four ports – Hay Point, Mackay, Abbot Point and Weipa - NQBP facilitated a combined 152.1 million tonnes of throughput,” Ms Kenny said.

“This represents an overall increase in trade of 4.8 per cent compared to last year (2021/22: 145.1 million tonnes).”

“The results reflect the essential role of our government-owned ports to regional jobs and economic prosperity.”

Throughput figures for NQBP’s ports for 2022-23 are now available on their website.

Port of Mackay Trade highlights

• Raw sugar trade best recorded in 15 years (2022/23: 858,277 tonnes; 2007/08: 883,203 tonnes)
• Grain trade surged to an 11-year-long high (2022/23: 342,581 tonnes; 2011/12: 386,324 tonnes)

Images for download

Image 1: Aerial view of the Port of Mackay.

Image 2: Grain, the Port of Mackay's third largest throughput was up 14.7 per cent last financial year.

Image 3: Grain getting loaded onto a ship berthed at Port of Mackay's Wharf 5.

Image 4: Sugar, the port’s second-largest trade, was up 8.2 per cent

Image 5: 1.6 million tonnes of sugar moved through the Port of Mackay last financial year.

Image 6: Strong sugar exports helped propel the Port of Mackay to another bumper trade result.

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation contact:

Amanda Blines | Senior Advisor Brand and Communications
0439 703 330 | ablines@nqbp.com.au