PORT of Townsville has completed construction of a $3.6-million laydown area ahead of a record shipment of new motor vehicles.
The port is expecting three ro-ro vessels to call this week, carrying more than 1700 cars from manufacturers in Japan and Thailand.
The number of vehicles arriving over two days is more than the port would typically see in a full month, the port said.
The shipments would place Port of Townsville 18% ahead of its motor vehicle import figures for the same time last year.
Drew Penny, Port of Townsville’s general manager – customer, safety and operations, said the port expects motor vehicle imports to continue accelerating over the coming months.
“The uplift is being driven by a shift in supply chains as car manufacturers begin to recognise the time and cost-saving benefits that can be unlocked by transhipping vehicles through Townsville,” Mr Penny said.
“The Townsville Port offers excellent road connectivity, not just to our regional neighbours but many other parts of the country and this is proving a competitive advantage for us.”
Port of Townsville said a record single-carrier shipment of 1381 vehicles is among the three deliveries.
Its arrival is expected days after the port finalises the new laydown area.
“The new laydown will add to our existing storage areas used for motor vehicles, project cargo and renewables,” Mr Penny said.
“As our port prepares for three-fold trade growth to 2050, we are continuing to invest in new and optimised infrastructure. The timeliness of laydown completion and commissioning couldn’t be better and it is excellent to see our investments bearing results so quickly.”
In 2022-2023 motor vehicle imports through the Port of Townsville grew 12% on the previous financial year.
The port said the increase had initially been due to continuing catch-up from Covid-19 lags, but transhipments are now happening regularly and appear to be here for the long term.
