More than 4500 motor vehicles have been imported through the Townsville Port so far this financial year, a 40 per cent jump on the same period last year.

Port of Townsville Limited acting general manager business development Maria James said the upsurge was a great sign of a recovering local economy.

Sixteen car carriers have arrived in Townsville since July 1 to import the record-breaking number of motor vehicles to the region.

“July was the busiest shipping month at the Townsville Port since February 2016, showing definite signs of an improving trade outlook for the region,” Ms James said.

“Car carriers that visit Townsville import passenger cars, trucks, buses, forklifts and tractors from Korea and Japan. Port of Townsville facilitates the supply of motor vehicles to a population catchment of nearly 800,000 people from as far south as Rockhampton, west to Mount Isa and north to Cairns.”

She said the car carrier ships would be upgraded to larger vessels in the near future as the Channel Capacity Upgrade Project progressed.