Port of Mackay has recorded its third best annual trade performance on record, with more than 2.9 million tonnes of cargo handled in 2016-17.

NQBP chief executive officer Steve Lewis said the latest trade results represented an increase of 2.7 per cent on the previous year and had been achieved in the face of difficult conditions.

“Total trade throughput for the Port of Mackay has remained strong during the 2016-17 financial year despite challenges within the local sugar industry and the effects of Tropical Cyclone Debbie,” Mr Lewis said.

“It is a testament to the resilience of our customers and port terminal operators that throughput has not only been maintained but has increased.

“I am pleased to be able to say that NQBP remains one of Australia’s largest port authorities, with more than half of Queensland’s trade, by tonnage, passing through our ports.”

Export-wise chickpeas once again provided a success story for the port, with molasses and scrap metal also star performers.

Imports of fertiliser, magnetite and petroleum products increased.

Break bulk cargo continued to grow, with an increase in inquiries received during the year, and more trade expected over coming months.

“An additional 8000 tonnes of equipment was transferred through the port over the past 12 months, reflecting the focus we have to attract this type of trade to the port,” Mr Lewis said.

NQBP continues to actively target break bulk opportunities given the Port of Mackay’s close proximity to the major regional coal mining and agricultural areas, and the major mining support services at Paget.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the 2016-17 figures for the port showed industry in and around Mackay was resilient.

“It takes more than a cyclone to keep Mackay down,” she said.

“This result will inspire confidence in the local business community, something that took a battering during Debbie.”

Key contributors to the 2016-17 result:

• Throughput was up from 2,829,464 to 2,906,955 tonnes

Exports (tonnes)

• Grain exports increased from 139,550 to 228,638
• Molasses exports increased by 66,487 tonnes
• Refined sugar increased from 256,163 to 270,633
• Scrap metal increased from 8,067 to 18,324
• Raw sugar was down from 790,011 to 643,308

Imports (tonnes)

• Fertiliser imports increased from 34,182 to 52,115
• Magnetite imports increased from 124,092 to 155,156
• Petroleum products increased from 1,380,251 to 1,401,112