Ports Australia has released the first-of-its-kind State of Trade report, which has revealed Australian ports are responsible for the floor of $650 billion worth of goods and commodities annually.
Combined, Australia’s ports see 31,000 vessels each year and move 1.6 billion tonnes of trade and 1.25 million cruise passengers.
The report has stated Australia’s ports are responsible for supporting almost 700,000 jobs which contributes $264 billion to the national economy.
The significance of Australia’s ports across various sectors was also highlighted, including:
- Mining: 64 per cent of Australia’s total exports by value come from mining.
- Energy: Half of Australia’s imports by volume are oil, gas and fuel.
- Construction: Ports facilitate the import of 7 million containers annually, including building materials and machinery.
CEO of Ports Australia Mike Gallacher says the report has outlined how undervalued Australian ports are in the wider consideration of the country’s supply chain.
“This inaugural State of Trade report provides a snapshot of Australia’s port industry unlike anything we’ve ever seen before,” Gallacher says.
“We often take for granted just how critical our ports are across a range of industries and communities. This report paints a picture of the impact of our sector and demonstrates in clear terms how important our ports are to the standard of living.
“Our ports are the lifeblood of our economy and connect us to the world. The ‘blue highway’ is the most critical path to our national prosperity.”
Gallacher says he hopes the State of Trade report will not only become a fixture of Ports Australia, but will also serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, businesses and communities.
“The extensive data collected demonstrates the interconnectedness of Australia’s key industries and supply chains to our economic health and security and allows us to plan for the future,” Gallacher says.
To view the entire Ports Australia State of Trade report, click here.
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