Port of Geelong records massive increase in trade

Wednesday, 31 August 2011

In a fantastic result for the port and for the people of Geelong the Victorian Regional Channels Authority (VCRA) annual report has revealed that the total throughput at the Port of Geelong leaped from 10.6 million tons in 2009/10 to 14.2 million tons in 2010/11.

The Port of Geelong is Victoria's second largest commercial port and, according to a 2010 economic impact report, Economic Impact of the Port of Geelong, the port creates more than 1,100 local jobs and adds about $310 million to the local economy every year.

Along with the 34 per cent increase in throughput, the Port of Geelong also recorded 508 ship visits, 73 more than the previous year.

With the economic impact report indicating every ship visit is worth 2.3 full time jobs, the latest increase in port activity will have an extremely positive impact on employment and wealth in the Geelong community.

While the drought-breaking grain harvest saw grain exports increase by more than 400 per cent, other main cargos handled at the Port of Geelong also contributed to the bumper year.

The VCRA annual report shows that bulk liquid imports and exports including petroleum products, crude oil, sulphuric acid and bitumen were up by 13 per cent and fertiliser throughput also rose by 75 per cent.

The Victorian Government is keen to see further growth and development at the Port of Geelong as it understands the benefits the port delivers to the Geelong community. It also recognises the port's potential to provide even more jobs and more wealth for the Barwon region.

The Victorian Government recently launched a discussion paper exploring the option of relocating the roll-on roll-off car trade from Webb Dock in Melbourne to the Port of Geelong. Submissions in response to this paper are currently being collected.

The Government will consider the results of the full feasibility study in early 2012.