TRADE through the Port of Townsville jumped nearly 13 per cent to a new record in the last financial year.

More than 10.25 million tonnes of goods passed over the Port’s wharves in 2009-10, up 1.67 million tonnes or 12.86 per cent on 2008-09.

The figure – announced today at Port of Townsville Limited’s RePORT Card stakeholder breakfast - represents the highest volume ever traded through the Townsville Port in its 114-year history.

Mineral concentrates and sugar remained the Port's two highest export commodities during the fiscal period, accounting for a combined 2.65 million tonnes on the back of respective tonnage increases of 10.6 and 10.4 per cent.

Fertiliser and refined mineral product exports were also both up, along with general cargo, sulphuric acid and molasses tonnages.

Nickel ore at 3.68 million tonnes led the import commodity charge and was supported by strong growth in petroleum products and cement trade.

Port of Townsville Limited chairman Ross Dunning AC said the Port community took great pride in the record trade results.

“The achievements of the past year are the result of enormous passion and workload,” Mr Dunning said.

“By working closely with our customers we saw pleasing increases in both import and export tonnage with the former reaching a new record of 5.84 million tonnes.

“Exports, meanwhile, rose about 93,000 tonnes to 4.41 million tonnes total.

“It’s a very exciting outcome for our more than 100 local employees.”

Mr Dunning said the record performance highlighted broad regional economic strength post global financial crisis.

“The Port of Townsville is a true economic barometer for the city and the greater North Queensland region,” he said.

“In 2009-10, international exports out of the Port of Townsville alone were valued at more than $5.58 billion.

“That value is up more than 13 per cent on the previous financial year and equal to an average of about $15.29 million of international trade passing over Townsville’s wharves every day.

“These figures show this community has survived, recovered and prospered since the onset of the global financial crisis.”

The record 2009-10 performance has already been reinforced by a record start to 2010-11, in which trade reached 3.4 million tonnes for the first quarter.

This result is the highest three month period on record at the Port of Townsville and exceeds the previous quarterly high – set in the second quarter of 2005-06 - by 459,710 tonnes.

“While remembering another three quarters lie ahead of us, throughput for the current financial year to date is well advanced on a new record trade year,” Mr Dunning said.

“We are looking to build on this solid start by monitoring opportunities, particularly in the mining industry, to identify and target prospective customers and further enhance our role as a global gateway to trade and investment.”

Aside from tonnage results, today’s stakeholder function outlined the future direction of the Port.

Included was an update of works on the Townsville Marine Precinct details on the highly anticipated upgrade of Berth 10 – both Stage A and plans for a Stage B - and an overview of prospective new trades.

The Port Expansion Project and future use of strategic Port land at key waterfront sites were also discussed.

“Given trebling of trade predictions, and that Townsville has been marked as Queensland’s second capital, it is important Port of Townsville Limited prepares for the next stage of economic growth,” Mr Dunning said.

“To that end, and through continued strong management and environmental practises, we are delivering reliable, sustainable infrastructure to meet our customers’ current and future needs.

“In some cases, that requires the development of world-class facilities like the Townsville Marine Precinct.

“In others, it is looking at unused and no longer relevant lands we maintain and how they can be better used for the Port, but also for the city, as we grow together.”