The Port of Brisbane has outperformed Sydney and Melbourne with an all-time high in container trade, reports Australia's Transport and Logistics News.
Queensland Transport Minister John Mickel said container trade hit an all-time high of 875,000 TEU at the port last financial year, surpassing the growth of all east coast competitors.
"The Port of Brisbane now holds almost 20 per cent of the east coast container market," said Mr Mickel as he tabled the Port of Brisbane Corporation's annual report for the 2006-07 financial year in the Queensland Parliament.
Increases in automobiles and retail product imports, metal manufacture exports and timber imports and exports compensated for a decrease in drought-affected agricultural exports.
Mr Mickel said Brisbne's high rates of growth were expected to continue as investment at the port progressed to meet future demands. This included construction of a seventh dedicated container berth to be completed early next year, a general purpose berth and terminal area with two new car storage areas expanding capacity to 20,700 cars.
The Port of Brisbane Corporation employs 292 people who handle 1,100 containerships and 311 car carriers a year. In 2006-07 motor vehicle imports increased 15.8 per cent year on year to 200,392 units.
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