Containerised Cargo Records Smashed At Port Of Townsville

A wave of investment is surging through the Port of Townsville with a record number of containerised cargo movements, boosting the North Queensland economy.

More than 65,000 container movements have been recorded so far this financial year, already up several thousand on the 2014/2015 Port of Townsville record of 62,512 containers.

An estimated 80,000 containers are expected to be imported and exported by 30 June 2018, an increase of around 60% on the previous financial year and the potential to improve the record trade milestone of 14/15 by around 20,000 boxes.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the increase was welcome news for the North Queensland economy, which was still recovering from the deplorable actions of Clive Palmer.

“We know Townsville has seen difficult times over the past few years, but we are now really starting to see signs of a recovery,” Mr Bailey said.

“We are fortunate to have four shipping lines servicing the Port of Townsville in the container trade including ANL, Swire Shipping, Mariana Express Lines.  This means more services, better frequency and more competition on freight pricing for regional businesses.”

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said that the increase in container movements through the Townsville Port was great for the local economy and jobs.

“This has given a new confidence to many operators in North Queensland,” Mr Stewart said.

“After the end of the mining boom, we are again starting to see an increase in industry in this great city.”

“I again urge the Turnbull Government to match the Palaszczuk Government’s $75 million funding commitment to further widen the port, which will allow bigger ships, and permanently lock in this boom.”

Port of Townsville Limited CEO Ranee Crosby said that the increase in containers and general cargo showed the Port deserved its place as the largest in Northern Australia.

“60 years ago, shipping containers revolutionised the way general cargo was shipped and allowed huge steps forward in the efficiency of the global supply chain,” said Ms Crosby.

“Containers moving through the Port of Townsville carry an incredibly diverse range of cargo including whitegoods, furniture, construction materials, clothing and, in huge numbers this financial year, solar project cargo.”

Branch Manager Chris Barnes of Mainfreight Air and Ocean North Queensland, who have had a local presence in Townsville for more than 15 years, said that in the past containers export movements had been focussed toward the Far North Asia trade, but that was now broadening.

“Historically, containerised imports into Townsville have been focused toward the Far North Asia trade, however Mainfreight are now providing import and export solutions moving Townsville containers to and from the USA, Europe, New Zealand, Middle East, South and North Asia,” he said.

“We are now able to connect Townsville with Mainfreight’s 242 branches worldwide - completing a truly Global Supply Chain Solution.”

“Working with the Port of Townsville, shipping Lines and more importantly local businesses, Mainfreight has supported positive growth in Townsville throughout the 2017/18 financial year -a 6.35% increase on import and 57.89% increase on export containers.” 

ENDS

Media contact: Dominic Geiger, 0447355565