NORTH Queensland Bulk Ports has posted near-record trade results for Port of Mackay in the 2023-24 financial year.

Handling 3.58 million tonnes in 2023-24, the port exceeded the 3.51 million tonnes throughput in the previous reporting period but fell just shy of the record 3.59 million tonnes handled in 2021-22.

“In 2023-24 petroleum, the top traded commodity, saw its highest-ever volume at 1.85 million tonnes, surpassing the 1.84 million tonnes of 2021-22,” NQBP CEO Brendan Webb said.

“Agricultural commodities continued to trade strongly, with sugar (1.04 million tonnes), and grain (334,729 tonnes) amongst the top three trades.”

The latest results announcement coincided with the Port of Mackay’s 85-year anniversary. Then premier William Forgan Smith opened the Mackay Harbour on 26 August 1939.

Mr Webb said the official opening was a pivotal point in the region’s development and the port continues to support its prosperity.

“The Port of Mackay has been there every step of the way as our region has established itself as a cornerstone for mining and trade in Northern Queensland,” Mr Webb said.

“Looking to the future, the Port of Mackay will be key to enabling the development of projects critical to the state government’s decarbonisation targets and the Energy and Jobs Plan.

“There is a suite of proposed renewable energy projects slated for development across the region that will require imports through the Port of Mackay to come to life.

“We stand ready to embrace the development of renewable energy as the next big economic cornerstone that will drive prosperity for our region and Queensland as a whole.”

Elsewhere in North Queensland, the port of Weipa handled 17.3 million tonnes in 2023-24, up from 15.2 million tonnes in the previous reporting period.

Abbot Point also saw an increase in total throughput for the financial year, handling 34.7 million tonnes in 2023-24 compared with 33.4 million tonnes in 2022-23.

Hay Point Coal Terminal saw a decrease in volumes for the year, with 35.7 million tonnes crossing the wharves in 2023-24 compared with 43.1 million tonnes the previous year.

And Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal handled 60.5 million tonnes in 2023-24 – an increase from the 56.8 million tonnes handled the previous year.