PORT of Brisbane saw a slowdown in container throughput in December, with throughput declining 13% compared with the same month in 2021.

Last month the Port of Brisbane handled a total of 114,710 TEU.

Of this, 30,992 TEU – or 27% of the total – were empty. The vast majority of empties (27,966 TEU) were exported, making fresh Queensland air the port’s top containerised export by far.

Other major containerised exports from Brisbane last month included “export other” (10,110 TEU), agricultural seeds (4425 TEU), meat products (4067 TEU) and cotton (3184 TEU).

Excluding empty containers, the port exported a total of 25,005 TEU over the month.

Imports through Port of Brisbane last month totalled 51,225 TEU.

Major import commodity categories included “import other” (25,241 TEU), household items (5769 TEU), building products (5146 TEU) and electrical equipment (3979 TEU).

Turning to total trade through the port (including containerised and non-containerised cargo), we find 2.25 million tonnes crossed the wharves. This was a slight decrease (down 6%) on the total throughput in December 2021.

Total imports decreased 18% to 1.25 million tonnes and total exports increased 11% to 885,209 tonnes.

The port handled 23,333 motor vehicle units, a decrease of just 55 units on December 2021.