Multiple flood events contributed to an overall decrease in trade volumes at the port of Newcastle in Australia last year. Nevertheless, the port continued to support major projects in the region during 2022.
Despite the impacts of the floods, the port still posted strong results. While total trade volume was down 13 percent compared to the previous year, general cargo exports were up by 110 percent to 160,000 tonnes. Machinery, project cargo and vehicle imports were also on the up – increasing 73 percent to 44,000 tonnes.
Craig Carmody, ceo, said that is a testament to the port’s resilience during one of the wettest years in recent memory.
“In the first half of 2022, the Hunter experienced five flood events, which had implications across the supply chain. Unsurprisingly this contributed to an overall decrease in total import/export trade volumes and ship visits through the port compared to 2021, handling 145 million tonnes of cargo and recording 4,261 vessel movements in 2022.
“Through a collaborative response and making good use of the David Allan dredger and the port’s new sweeper vessel Lydia, we were able to help reduce the impacts of the floods and return the channel to its designed depth, sooner and safely.”
In terms of projects, the port of Newcastle handled components for the Rye Park wind farm, rail wagons for the Sydney Metro project, grain and coal haulers, equipment for the Snowy 2.0 Kurri power station as well as mining equipment for customers in the Hunter Valley.
