Port of Mackay keeping trade afloat

A strong trade performance over the past 12 months has highlighted the critical role the Port of Mackay plays in driving a diverse regional economy.

From chickpeas to petroleum, figures released today show more than 2,900,000 tonnes of trade passed through the Port – an increase of around 77,000 tonnes and the third best annual trade performance on record.

NQBP Chief Executive Officer Steve Lewis said the 2016-17 trade results – which represent an increase of 2.7% on the previous year – had been achieved in the face of difficult conditions.

“Total trade throughput for the Port of Mackay has remained strong during the 2016-17 financial year despite challenges within the local sugar industry and the effects of Tropical Cyclone Debbie,” Mr Lewis said.

“It is a testament to the resilience of our customers and port terminal operators that throughput has not only been maintained but has increased.

“I am pleased to be able to say that NQBP remains one of Australia’s largest port authorities, with more than half of Queensland’s trade, by tonnage, passing through our ports.”

Export-wise chickpeas once again provided a success story for the port, with molasses and scrap metal also star performers.

Imports of fertiliser, magnetite and petroleum products increased.

Break bulk cargo continued to grow, with an increase in inquiries received during the year, and more trade expected over coming months.

“An additional 8000 tonnes of equipment was transferred through the port over the past 12 months, reflecting the focus we have to attract this type of trade to the port,” Mr Lewis said.

NQBP continues to actively target break bulk opportunities given the Port of Mackay’s close proximity to the major regional coal mining and agricultural areas, and the major mining support services at Paget.

Our financial performance will be included in our annual report due to be released at the end of September.

Key contributors to the 2016-17 result:

• Throughput was up from 2,829,464 to 2,906,955 (approx. 2.7%)

Exports (tonnes)

• Grain exports increased from 139,550 to 228,638 (approx. 64%)
• Molasses exports increased by 66,487 tonnes
• Refined sugar increased from 256,163 to 270,633 (approx. 5.6%)
• Scrap metal increased from 8,067 to 18,324 (approx. 127%)
• Raw sugar was down from 790,011 to 643,308 (approx. 18.5%)

Imports (tonnes)

• Fertiliser imports increased from 34,182 to 52,115 (approx. 52.46%)
• Magnetite imports increased from 124,092 to 155,156 (approx. 25%)
• Petroleum products increased from 1,380,251 to 1,401,112 (approx. 1.5%)