OVERALL trade through Fremantle Port has increased by more than 40 per cent over the period from 1990-1991 to 2002-2003.
OVERALL trade through Fremantle Port has increased by more than 40 per cent over the period from 1990-1991 to 2002-2003.
According to figures provided by Fremantle Ports, container trade at the port is now about three times the level it was in 1990-1991.
The total value of trade through Fremantle Port is now more than $15 billion annually, which is double the value of trade 10 years ago, with $1.7 million in trade passing through the port every hour of the every day.
The motor vehicle imports trade has continued to grow strongly, with imports from Japan accounting for 57.9 per cent and Korea 11.6 per cent of the 51,680 new motor vehicle imports in 2002-2003.
New motor vehicle imports are predicted to show continued growth in 2003-2004, with the expectation of continued low interest rates encouraging motor vehicle sales.
Fremantle Port’s principal export commodities by volume are alumina, grain and refined petroleum, together accounting for 73 per cent by volume of total exports. About 30 per cent of Australia’s wheat is exported through the Co-operative Bulk Handling facility at Kwinana.
While grain exports have been down, however, good rains this winter and a positive outlook from WA farmers means grain exports should pick up this year.
The principal import commodity by volume is crude petroleum.
Increased use of rail for movement of containers to and from Fremantle’s inner harbour is one of the strategies arising from the recent Metropolitan Freight Network Review to minimise the growth of truck traffic on metropolitan roads.
Currently only about 4 per cent of the container trade is moved by rail, but the target is to increase this to 30 per cent within the next 10 years.
The port’s major trading regions are East, South-East and Southern Asia, which made up 43 per cent of the total trade in 2002-2003.
The Port of Fremantle has two locations. The inner harbour at Fremantle handles the State’s container trade and general cargo, while the outer harbour at Kwinana is one of Australia’s major bulk ports.
