Port Hedland port sets new export record

Port Hedland port, already Australia's highest tonnage export port, has broken its own full year record with throughput of 178.6 million tonnes during 2009-10.

The figure, which was 20 mt higher than in the previous year, included record iron ore exports of 174 mt, 1.65 mt of manganese and 480,000t of copper. Fuel imports of 820,000t and general cargo of 340,000t was also a record.

PHPA chief executive officer Andre Bush welcomed the results, and indicated that significant further growth was on the horizon.

"The full development of the inner harbour in the coming years could well see trade levels exceed 400 mt a year," he said. "In the near term we are projecting total trade to exceed 200 mt for the coming 2010-11 financial year and to be over 300 mt for the following year 2011-12."

"We will continue to facilitate the needs of all our port users in an efficient and sustainable way contributing, in the process, to the national economy and to the development of the town of Port Hedland and the Pilbara region overall."

A new organizational structure and additional staff meant the port was well placed to achieve its goal of becoming "the world's leading port", he said.