Brisbane maintains steady trade growth

8 October 2001

The Port of Brisbane maintained positive growth during the past financial year despite the low Australian dollar and variable economic conditions, Transport and Main Roads Minister Steve Bredhauer said today.

Mr Bredhauer said total tonnage through the port increased by 97,859 tonnes to almost 23.15 million tonnes – an increase of 0.42 percent.

“This is a sound result given economic conditions as well as high oil prices, drought and increased levels of inflation,” Mr Bredhauer said.

The value of trade through the port increased by 18 per cent to $17.8 billion.

“Record export shipments of meat products, cotton and cotton seed have ensured that Brisbane has maintained its position in terms of Australian market share of these commodities at more than 50 per cent,” Mr Bredhauer said.

Container throughput increased 4.79 per cent and total export trade increased by 2.42 per cent to more than 10.85 million tonnes. Import tonnage decreased by 1.28 per cent to more than 12.29 million tonnes.

Other key export growth areas included:

  • tallow – increased by 8.4 per cent
  • hides and skins – increased by 21.2 per cent
  • meat and bone meal – increased by 26.9 per cent
  • refined oil – increased by 9.3 per cent
  • coal – increased by 8.9 per cent

A downturn in the housing industry affected imports of timber, cement and iron and steel.

Drought also impacted on imports of fertiliser and chemicals.

Imports that increased over the year included motor vehicles, fruit and vegetables and dairy products – particularly milk powder.

Port of Brisbane Chief Executive Officer Graham Mulligan said steady growth in containers through the Brisbane Multimodal Terminal underpinned the port’s increase in container throughput, particularly in the cotton and meat trades.

“The recent Sofrana decision to direct containers from southern points through the Multimodal Terminal, on the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands service, highlights the strategic importance of the terminal and the Port of Brisbane,” Mr Mulligan said.