A RECORD 607,205 TEU transited Tasmanian ports in 2021-22, an increase of more than 2% since 2020-21.
Infrastructure and transport minister Michael Ferguson shared the latest throughput figures with the TasPorts Government Business Enterprise on Thursday.
He said TasPorts’ total freight volumes reached 14.9 million tonnes in 2021-22, a 2.8% increase on 2020-21 volumes.
“TasPorts safely managed 2550 vessel visits, an 11% increase on 2020-21 numbers, as recorded through TasPorts’ state-wide vessel traffic service” Mr Ferguson said.
“Key commodities transited through TasPorts’ multi-port system include forestry products, general cargo, community consumables, cement and essential fuel supplies.
“An increase in containerised freight, mining and industrial products sectors during the financial year underpinned the uplift in volumes.”
Mr Ferguson highlighted ports of Bell Bay, Burnie, Devonport and Hobart as the key transit points for containerised freight.
“Increased throughput is noted at the Port of Devonport with a record 304,865 TEU transiting during the period, a 4.2% increase on 2020-21 volumes,” he said.
“That was a notable result given the interruption to shipping at the Port of Devonport from the Goliath ship allision incident with two tugs in late January.”
Mr Ferguson said the top five containerised commodities were general cargo, empty containers, foods, paper and timber products.
“Mineral export volumes were a particular highlight, remaining robust despite market volatility, finishing at 753,000 tonnes,” he said.
“This represents a 22.8% increase compared to the previous reporting period with exports of mineral concentrates from the Port of Burnie being the key contributing factor to growth.”
And TasPorts has announced a milestone at Port Burnie this month: the Burnie Chip Export Terminal has exported 10 million tonnes of woodchips since TasPorts acquired the facility in 2014.
“In recent weeks, we have celebrated and recognised this great achievement with all the hard-working team at BCET, along with the operations contract support team and our North-West operations and maintenance teams,” it said in a statement.
TasPorts said it has invested more than $14.5 million in the facility’s infrastructure and assets since the acquisition.
Investments include the purchase of two CAT D9T dozers to support stockpile grooming and ship loading operations.
“As an island state, Tasmania is highly reliant upon maritime trade to sustain our communities and economy,” Mr Ferguson said.
“The evidence continues to demonstrate that as a consumer and as a producer, Tasmania continues to do well and create job opportunities for our people.”
