Trade boost at Port of Mackay

The Port of Mackay is booming, with six major cargo shipments in December and January signalling a pick-up in mining activity in the area.

Member for Mackay Julianne Gilbert said the latest figures showed the local economy was bouncing back though there was still much work to be done.

“These figures reflect the energy and movement we’re seeing at the port,” Mrs Gilbert said.

“There is a definite pick up in the mining sector and the Port of Mackay is perfectly positioned to assist future mining projects throughout North Queensland.

“This increased activity, coupled just this week with the announcement that Mackay will be at the centre of a new sugarcane biorefineries industry, and progress on the Vines Creek Bridges project highlight that things are looking positive for our region.”

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the increased activity was testament to the Ports ability to increase capacity and adapt to an ever-changing economy.

“Both the Port of Mackay and Port of Hay Point are continuing to undertake a variety of projects to expand capacity and improve efficiency in operations,” he said.

“New lead lights were completed at the Port of Mackay shortly before Christmas and are already helping marine pilots manoeuvre large ships into the port, while at Hay Point the marine offloading facility has been used to bring major machinery components into the port for terminal upgrades.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to keeping our ports in public ownership, investing in improvements and ensuring the benefits flow back into regional economies.”

The Ports’ regular commodity imports and exports, like diesel, sugar, grain and magnetite, remain strong.

On top of that the Port has experienced an increase in heavy machinery coming through.

North Queensland Bulk Ports' acting chief executive officer Brendan Webb said there was a noticeable lift in activity.

“The whole port feels energised and very positive about the year ahead,” he said.

“A variety of industry heavyweights including Hastings Deering, Austin Engineering, UGM, FleetCo and PlantCo have brought cargo through the port over the past two months.

“Five of the six breakbulk shipments have been imports to support this growth.”

Hastings Deering noted trucks that had originally been loaded out of Mackay in April 2015 were now being sent back to support local operations in the Bowen Basin.

“We are seeing an uptick in demand for our products and services in and around the Mackay and Bowen Basin area. This generally stems from an increase in productivity and utilisation of equipment, driven largely by demand for our resources,” a representative said.

CMX Global Logisitics, who executed the shipment for Hastings Deering, agreed.

“We certainly witnessed an increase in activity throughout 2017 when compared to the previous year. We are hopeful that the trend will continue in 2018,” said Kira Seeley, global account manager.

The total throughput for the seven months from July 2017 to end January 2018 came to 1,835,195 tonnes. 

ENDS

Media: 

• Minister Bailey - Dominic Geiger 0447 355 565
• Port of Mackay – Kirsty Mugridge 07 4969 0772 / kmugridge@nqbp.com.au