Mid West Ports Authority release annual report, recording third consecutive year of growth with $25.2m profit

Mid West Ports Authority recorded its third consecutive year of growth while focusing on the port maximisation project and improving air quality around Fishing Boat Harbour last financial year. In its 2022-23 annual report, the MPWA recorded an increased throughput of one million tonnes compared with the previous year. It rose from 16.4mt to 17.4mt for the financial year — made up of a total of 16,502mt exports and 906,000t imports. In 2022-23, MWPA earned a total revenue of $99.5 million with a $25.2m profit after tax compared with a $96.7m revenue and $25.01m profit after tax in 2021-22. Iron ore was the dominant product exported, reaching 11.315mt, while grain (3.635mt), mineral sands (1.074mt), concentrates (450,000t) and crude oil (25,000t) were also exported. The port imported 667,000t of bulk imports, 237,000t of petroleum and 2000t of general cargo. MWPA chair Noel Hart said the growth was achieved with safety as the port’s highest priority, as well as a strategic, proactive, and preventative approach to provide reliable services. Mr Hart said key projects undertaken in 2022-23, including the construction of the new roundabout on Marine Terrace, focused on business improvement and maximisation of efficiencies. “Embedding sustainability across port operations is another key focus for the organisation, and for the second year running, we have delivered our annual report with a focus on our sustainability pillars of people, planet and prosperity,” he said. The MWPA focused on reducing dust particles around Fishing Boat Harbour by installing a DustTamer fence, modelling of wind and dust dispersion and improving loading dust suppression equipment and dust extraction systems within the port. CEO Damian Tully said the port was committed to improving air quality and while considerable work had been achieved there was more to be done to improve the management of product transfer. He said the port’s vision for the harbour was to facilitate quality trade and tourism opportunities and a key component of this was to ensure safe navigation into the harbour through a dredging project undertaken in late 2022. During the year, a consultant was appointed to execute the design of the Port Maximisation Project and had undertaken validation of proposed engineering solutions, defined requirements to meet future trade requirements and commenced detailed design of materials handling, storage, marine infrastructure, and network infrastructure improvements. In May 2023, Reconciliation Australia endorsed the MWPA action plan, while cruise tourism returned to the city and 11,240 passengers and crew visited the port in 2022-23.