A RECORD amount of cargo containers are forecast to move through the Port of Townsville this financial year, with cargo for solar projects in the region contributing to the boom.
It is estimated that a record 80,000 containers will be imported and exported from the port in the 12 months to June 30.
This represents an increase of about 60 per cent on the previous financial year.
More than 65,000 container movements have already been recorded this financail year, eclipsing the previous record trade milestone of 62,512 in 2014/15.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the increase was welcome news for the North Queensland economy, which was still recovering from the closure of Clive Palmer’s Queensland Nickel refinery at Yabulu.
“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.”
Townsville MP 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.”
Port of Townsville Limited CEO Ranee Crosby said 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,” Ms Crosby said.
“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 presence in Townsville for over 15 years, said that in the past containers export movements had been focussed toward the Far North Asia trade.
“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 with a 6.35 per cent increase on import and 57.89 per cent increase on export containers.”
