Port of Mackay earns gold medal trade result for August

Queensland’s successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic has seen the Port of Mackay record its biggest month of exports ever.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said over 448 thousand tonnes left Mackay during August, nearly double the tonnage seen in the same month last year.

“It’s the first time ever that the port’s monthly trade figure started with a ‘4’,” Ms Gilbert said.

“Achieving a monthly output of 448,065 tonnes in August is a great result for the Mackay team, compared to 277,624 tonnes recorded in the same month last year.

“Queensland’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan has created confidence in our state.

“That runs through our health response, our businesses and industries and our valuable export trade.”

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said these export volumes have provided a huge boost to our economy when it’s needed most.

“Fuel throughput has been at record levels of the past two months, with the August figure of 173,479 tonnes well ahead of the comparative month last year (159,612 tonnes),” Mr Bailey said.

“Raw sugar exports set a new monthly record at 129,000 tonnes, outstripping last year’s August result of 101,895.

“Tonnages for other commodities were also up, including molasses and scrap metal.

“And for the first time in five years, August saw 44,00 tonnes of grain go through the port.”

Ms Gilbert credited Mackay locals for the win.

“Our key strategic advantage in Queensland is our State-owned ports benefitting the Queensland economy,” she said.

“North Queensland is the backbone of our export industry and this achievement builds hope for many operators across the state, especially North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation.

“While it’s too early to predict a trend, the Port of Mackay has certainly achieved a gold medal month!”

Mr Bailey said the states ports were preparing for the future, with two ground breaking agreements to export renewable energy recently signed off.

“In August we saw the Port of Hay Point, join Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure and international company ITOCHU in an agreement for hydrogen exports out of the Mackay facility.

“And now, the Port of Townsville and Ark Energy have signed an agreement to kickstart hydrogen production in the North.

“These transformative agreements will boost out economic development, create new jobs and substantially reduce our carbon emissions, backing Queensland exporters now and into the future.

Monthly trade figures are available on the NQBP website https://nqbp.com.au/trade/throughputs

ENDS