More pages in this section
News
Port of Townsville Annual Report
The Port navigates through COVID crisis by delivering positive results for North Queensland The Port of Townsville has delivered strong financial results and continued to roll-out major infrastructure investments despite the impacts of the global pandemic. In a year where supply chains across the world have been tested, a total of 8.2 million tonnes of freight passed over our wharves, which was a 6.5 per cent increase on last year. With a focus on cost management, the Port also reported a $13.87 million net profit for 2019/20, see the Annual Report. The role of mining, resources and agricultural industries have never been more significant with our growth primarily driven by exports of mineral concentrates (up 17%), fertiliser (up 25%) and livestock (up 32%), making it Australia’s largest live cattle export port. Despite COVID-19, the Port continued to invest in projects that are providing jobs for the region, and which will provide for the growth and competitiveness of the Port and North Queensland into the future, including: Construction started on the largest infrastructure project in the Port’s history, the $193 million Channel Upgrade. Works are well advanced on the 2.2 km rock wall to create a 62-hectare reclamation area. The project will employ over 120 people to widen the shipping channel to allow access for larger ships. This is a key Townsville City Deal initiative with investment from the Federal and Queensland Governments and the Port of Townsville, Works nearing completion on the $30 million Berth 4 Ship-to-Shore Crane and Cargo Area to grow container trade in the region, An extension of the secondary wharf on Berth 10 undertaken to allow larger car ships to berth in Townsville reducing supply chain costs for North Queenslanders, Construction started on a $4.5m truck staging area to reduce congestion and improve safety and efficiency of truck movements. In mid-March, the Port stood-up its Pandemic Crisis Management Team to implement measures that would ensure the safety of our people, customers and community and to respond to Government advices. Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby paid tribute to the Port team, customers and logistics partners who worked closely together to ensure supply chains stayed open delivering essential goods to the 700,000 people of North Queensland and ensuring industries in the region remained open for business. ``This has been a year unlike any other, but it was a testament to our employees, customers and supply chain partners who worked together to keep the economy moving and keep people in jobs,’’ she said. ``We also provided a range of support for our community from donating food vouchers to making meals at community charity hubs and providing funding to seafarers. We also extended support for businesses with hardship arrangements, rental relief and freezing any increases on charges. ``The Port of Townsville’s growth is crucial to the economy, jobs and the future of North Queensland. We are also acutely aware of our location within the sensitive Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. We are investing $17 million over the next five years in programs to protect and enhance our surrounding environment. ``We are embarking on one of the most exciting periods in our 156-year history and we are looking forward to serving the people of North Queensland for decades to come.’’
Saab delivers Port Management Information System to the Port of Townsville
The Port of Townsville, which operates the Ports of Townsville and Lucinda in northern Australia, has taken an important step forward in improving the port experience for their customers. Saab’s flagship Port Management Information System (PMIS) PortControl has been delivered, on-time and within budget. The delivery includes software for management of ship visits, cargo movements and associated billing. However, what makes this particular PMIS project stand out is Townsville Port’s newly developed interface to Maritime Safety Queensland’s (MSQ) QSHIPS shipping system. Townsville Port’s Manager Operations, Mark Jenkins said the updated software system will improve planning, control and execution of major port operations and related business processes, including vessel calls, cargo management, billing and statistical reporting. ``Gone are the days of when shipping agents waste their valuable time, double handling their shipping information. The Port required an information system that could solve this long-time inconvenience,’’ he said. ``One of the key positive features of Saab’s system is that it is a single source of accurate information available on a single integrated and standardised platform.’’ Mr Jenkins added that whilst MSQ’s live data feed from QSHIPS had long been available to all ports in Queensland, Townsville Port had not been able to harness the benefits due to the outdated legacy system. ``The full integration of PortControl PMIS into the operation of the Townsville Port in 2020 is increasing the speed and efficiency of data exchange for the benefit of all parties,” Mr Jenkins said.