TASPORTS has reported an increase in freight volumes for the 2021-22 financial year, with volumes now nearing pre-Covid figures.

TasPorts chairman Stephen Bradford said the ports saw strong growth in containerised freight movements, with a record 607,205 TEU transiting the multi-port system. He also highlighted strong growth in mineral exports.

“I’m able to report a significantly improved financial result for the year with profit after tax improving considerably from a net loss of $2.2 million in 2020-21 to a consolidated net profit of $12.7 million in 2021-22,” Mr Bradford said.

“This significant improvement was the result of various factors including the renegotiation of legacy contracts with major coastal customers, an 11% increase in vessel visits, a 2.8% increase in freight movements and the return of regular flights to Devonport Airport.

“This is an impressive result in the face of ongoing global uncertainty and a transition to ‘living with Covid’ and positions TasPorts well to continue to invest in the Tasmania’s multi-port system for the benefit of the state through our Port Master Plan.”

Mr Bradford also noted the progress on the $241 million redevelopment at Port of Devonport and planning for major redevelopment projects at ports of Hobart and Burnie.

“Devonport’s Project QuayLink is the largest port infrastructure investment in a generation and will enable a significant increase in capacity for both freight and vehicles, facilitating exponential growth over a 30-year horizon at this major trade gateway,” Mr Bradford said.

“Along with planning for major redevelopments at Hobart and Burnie, these projects and initiatives will transform the Tasmanian port landscape leading up to 2030.”

During the 2021-22 financial year, TasPorts also continued with the restructure of the Bass Island Line shipping service.

The service, provided by vessel John Duigan, was restructured into a weekly return service between Port of Devonport and Port of Grassy. Mr Bradford said shipping services and connections were determined by the needs of cargo owners.

“The strong preference of cargo owners for a Tasmanian-focused service was demonstrated by a decline in direct cargo volumes to and from Victoria and the rapid take-up of the Devonport call,” he said.

Mr Bradford also noted cement carrier Goliath’s allision with berthed TasPorts tugs York Cove and Campbell Cove at Port of Devonport as a major event this year.

The incident occurred in January and the wrecked tugs have since been removed from the Mersey River.

Mr Bradford said TasPorts, since day one, was focused on removing the wrecks and returning all commercial berths at the Port of Devonport to full operations. The company also focused on managing environmental and safety risks.

“The allision remains an incident under investigation by the relevant authorities,” Mr Bradford said.

“Legal proceedings have commenced in the Federal Court to recover all costs incurred.”

He noted the commencement of the Port Services Regulatory Review by the Department of State Growth in 2021-22 as requested by TasPorts.

“Ensuring the optimum safety model for Tasmania is critical,” he said.

“I would observe that the lessons learned from the Goliath incident provide a stark example of the importance of having in place a proactive pilotage service at the ready, alongside a suitably resourced port service capable of meeting the demands of emergency response and recovery.

Mr Bradford said the regulatory review is due for completion in 2022-23.