Read the State of Trade report.
• Ports Australia has released a first-of-its-kind State of Trade, demonstrating the critical role Australian ports play in Australia’s economic security and workforce.
• Australian ports are responsible for a staggering 99% of Australia’s international trade and ensure the flow of $650 billion worth of goods and commodities annually.
• New data shows nearly 700,000 jobs across Australia are facilitated through the work of ports, contributing around $264 billion to the economy.
• Australian ports see 31,000 vessels each year, moving 1.6 billion tonnes of trade and 1.25 million cruise passengers.
For the first time, the true economic value of Australia’s ports has been revealed with nearly 700,000 jobs supported by our ports, which contribute $264 billion to the economy across the states.
Ports Australia’s inaugural State of Trade report, released today, provides a critical snapshot of the vital role Australian ports play in the nation’s economy, security and workforce.
The report reveals Australian ports are responsible for 99% of our international trade by volume, ensuring the flow of $650 billion worth of trade through our ports annually.
The State of Trade report – commissioned by Ports Australia, backed by independent economists and modelling – shows that Iron Ore accounts for 36 per cent of total exports in volume, dwarfing Coal (14 per cent) and Agriculture and Food, with 13 per cent.
The importance of ports to vital supply chains and our overall economic security has also been revealed, with Australian ports contributing 1.6 billion tonnes in trade volume reliant on this critical infrastructure.
Mike Gallacher, CEO of Ports Australia said, “Our ports are the lifeblood of our economy and connect us to the world. The ‘blue highway’ is the most critical path to our national prosperity.
"We often take for granted just how critical our ports are across a range of industries and communities. This report paints a picture of the impact of our sector and demonstrates in clear terms how important our ports are to our standard of living," Mr Gallacher said.
The State of Trade report highlights the significance of ports in various sectors:
• Mining: 64% of Australia’s total exports by value come from mining.
• Energy: Half of Australia’s imports by volume are oil, gas, and fuel.
• Construction: Ports facilitate the import of 7 million containers annually, including building materials and machinery.
• Tourism: Ports see 1.25 million cruise passengers embark and disembark across Australia.
By providing a detailed understanding of Australia’s trade flows, economic impacts and the role of ports in supporting jobs and industries, the State of Trade report serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, businesses and communities.
“This inaugural State of Trade report provides a snapshot of Australia’s port industry unlike anything we’ve seen before,” Mr Gallacher said.
“The extensive data collected demonstrates the interconnectedness of Australia’s key industries and supply chains to our economic health and security and allows us to plan for the future,” Mr Gallacher said.
At a time of global uncertainty, Ports Australia has been focused on actively collaborating in the Oceania region.
With nine of members across the Pacific region, Ports Australia has been sharing knowledge and assisting to build a resilient regional port network.
“We are committed to strengthening the relationships with our Pacific neighbours to foster increased cooperation and address common challenges,” Mr Gallacher said.
“Quite frankly, our security relies on our nation’s ports. We need to ensure they continue to thrive so that they can connect us to the world into the future,” Mr Gallacher concluded.
The State of Trade report is now a fixture of the Ports Australia’s work, and will, in time, become an economic litmus test that can support our leaders in measuring Australia’s economic health and our regional reputation.
Media Contact: Zara Bryan, Ports Australia | [email protected]
