DCN May Edition 2019

QUEENSLAND
Port of Brisbane
“The service will boost export opportunities from north
Queensland and improve domestic trade links on Australia’s east
coast,” David Sibley, general manager of business development at
the Port of Townsville, told DCN.
The port also completed a $40m Berth 4 upgrade in 2018. But
its main focus is its massive $1.6bn port expansion project. With
money now secured for the first stage, the port is to proceed to
widen its channel to allow ships of up to 300 metres in length to
safely access the Townville shipping channel.
“Currently, due to the narrowness of the channel, the length
limit is 238 metres,” Mr Sibley said.
As northern Australia’s largest container and automotive port,
Townsville facilitates trade in a large variety of containerised
commodities, including refined minerals and general cargo,
together accounting for around 10% of total trade (most minerals
are transported in bulk).
The container trade services the mining, agricultural and
industrial sectors of north and central QLD.
“A historical record for containerised cargo was achieved in
2017/18, largely driven by renewable energy projects,” Mr Sibley
said. “Renewable energy projects have slowed during 2018/19.”
Year to date total trade throughput is more than 6m tonnes,
tracking slightly above the same time last financial year.
“This year to date container trade is just under 45,000 TEU and
is forecast to increase significantly over the next five years driven
by an upswing in the mining sector, including development of
the Galilee basin, and an emerging battery materials processing
industry,” Mr Sibley said.
Last financial year was a record year for motor vehicle imports
but this has slowed.
“Motor vehicle imports have been impacted by a nation-wide
decrease in new car sales, driven by weakened consumption
growth,” Mr Sibley said.
Overall trade throughput declined in 2017/18 primarily due to
the closure of the Yabulu nickel refinery in 2016.
“Queensland Nickel had significant operations at the Port of
Townsville, importing almost three million tonnes of nickel ore per
annum in prior years,” Mr Sibley said.
The mining and resources sector accounts for more than 30% of
the port’s trade.
“The mining downturn has presented challenges for the North
Queensland economy including Port of Townsville,” Mr Sibley said.
“Looking forward, we forecast significant growth in trade
throughput,” he said, adding this would be driven by regional
population growth and an upswing in the mining sector and new
project development.
Mr Sibley said growth also would be driven by the widening of
the port’s shipping channel and critical infrastructure upgrades
including a new container terminal and ship-to-shore crane.
LONG-TERM VISION
The PEP is a 30-year project that will enable the Port of Townsville
to respond to future capacity requirements. The PEP is to occur in
stages, the first of which is the Channel Upgrade Project.
Over the next 30 years, the PEP will see an expansion of
port infrastructure that will include up to six extra berths and
associated infrastructure. Stage one of the PEP is progressing
with joint funding from the federal and QLD governments, each
OFFERING VITAL CONNECTIONS TO QUEENSLAND MAINLAND
One operator offers a unique service
that connects remote island communities
to mainland Australia. Sea Swift began
services to the Northern Peninsula
Area, Thursday Island, and outer Torres
Strait Islands in 1987 with a single 500T
landing craft tank providing a fortnightly
schedule service.
In 1990, Sea Swift won the contract to
supply a weekly service to all governmentoperated
supermarkets and stores.
“This was the catalyst to increase the
fleet to two linehaul vessels departing
Cairns, and a fleet LCT providing a twice
a week service to the main ports of
Seisia, Thursday Island, and Horn
Island, and a weekly service to all 15
communities in the Torres Strait,” Sea
Swift general manager Queensland
operations, Peter Domenighini, said.
“Over the years, services have
expanded with weekly all-year services to
Lockhart River and Aurukun, and a twice
a week service to Weipa.
“We also deliver all the remote power
station fuel to the NPA communities
of Bamaga and Aurukun, Torres Strait
Islands, Mornington Island in the Gulf of
Carpentaria, and Palm Island.”
But what do Sea Swift’s vessels
actually carry? The answer is pretty much
anything. Its diverse fleet of 27 specialised
vessels allows it to carry and deliver a
wide range of general and refrigerated
cargoes, as well as trucks, earth-moving
vehicles, boats, building and construction
materials, and much more.
“Our most common types of freight
are essential household items, food, and
medical supplies,” Mr Domenighini said.
“We also supply housing and
infrastructure construction material, as
well as fuel for Ergon Energy’s remote
power stations, Horn Island Airport, and
remote self-service fuel stations.
“The freight and cargo services
offered by Sea Swift are the lifeblood of
many communities in the region,” Mr
Domenighini said, adding many northern
Australia communities are very remote
and access is often restricted, especially
during the northern wet season.
Sea Swift’s fleet includes seven general
cargo vessels; MV Trinity Bay, which also
has the capacity to carry 35 passengers;
three tug and barge sets; two
motherships providing fuel and stores to
Port of Brisbane
30 May 2019
thedcn.com.au