Cargo Handling at Port Hedland and Port of Melbourne

Cargo Handling at Port Hedland and Melboutne1
CARGO HANDLING AT PORT HEDLAND AND PORT OF MELBOURNE
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Cargo Handling at Port Hedland and Melboutne2
Port Hedland and Port of Melbourne
The Port of Melbourne delivers reliable and responsible port services and facilities that
are not only safe but also world class. The port plays a crucial role in supporting Victoria’s
expanding economy through its competent freight supply chain (Port of Melbourne 2019). The
port is known for facilitating the movement of cargo within regional Victoria and Melbourne
area. Shipping Australia Limited (n.d) notes that Port Melbourne is the biggest container port in
Australia and acts as a gateway for motor vehicles and bulk cargoes. Port Hedland, in contrast, is
ranked, among the world’s largest port in reference to cargo export and its objective is to
enhance the export of goods from the resource endowed regions (Pilbara Ports Authority, 2014).
It is, thus, apparent that the two ports (Port Hedland and Port of Melbourne) play a crucial role in
the expansion of Australia’s economy through cargo transport. The development of these ports is
attributable to the expansion of the export industry such as the oil and gas sector including
mining, and resource production
Overview of the Main Cargoes Handled in 2017/2018 year in the Two Ports
Port Hedland
Globally, Port Hedland is the leading bulk export harbor, and in Pilbara, it is the largest
in exporting iron ore from the world renowned producers. Australian Floating Decks PTY Ltd
(2018) points out that in 2018, about 98% of the freight shipped through it was iron ore while in
2017, it was responsible for 60% of the combined iron ore exports in Australia (Australian
Floating Decks PTY Ltd 2018). The port’s strategic position enhances critical communications
between the northwest of Australia and the Pilbara region. The port is also acknowledged as a
crucial location for importing fuel in addition to the exportation of lithium, salt, chromite,
manganese, and copper (Australian Floating Decks PTY Ltd 2018). General freight imports
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Cargo Handling at Port Hedland and Melboutne3
include construction and project cargo, railway equipment, and mining consumables such as
chemicals, mill ball, and flocculent (Australian Floating Decks PTY Ltd 2018). The table below
highlights Port Hedland 2018 major cargo statistics.
Types of Cargo Millions of Tones Exported or Imported
Iron Ore 508million exported
Fuel 1.54million imported
Freight inbound and Freight Outbound 106,467toness and 84,493 tons respectively
Source: (Australian Floating Decks PTY Ltd 2018)
Port of Melbourne
In the financial year 2017/2018, the Port of Melbourne growth in trade was one of the
strongest after six years. The numbers of containers imported were highest in June and the
commodities that were responsible for the increase were timber (56%), Plasticware (18%),
furniture (13%), aluminum (43%), ceramic goods (27%), and metal manufacturers (13%)
( Newton, 2018). Motor vehicle trade in June 2017 recorded an increase of 10.3% and in the
financial years 2017/2018; it went up by 8.0%. Commercial vehicle imports were responsible
for the June results because they increased to 70.9% while new passenger vehicles imports rose
up by 6.7 % (Newton, 2018). Other cargoes including the import of machinery, steel, and iron
increased to 80.2% in 2017, to be precise in June and increased by 34.4% in the financial year
2017/2018.
Why the Cargoes Were Shipped as Bulk or as Containerized
Bulk cargoes are categorized into break-bulk, liquid bulk, and dry bulk. Liquid bulk
refers to all liquid goods that are transported via a pipeline or big tankers to reach their final
destination and includes fuel oil, petrol, and crude oil (Australian Government 2018). Dry bulk;
in contrast, include products such as cement, iron ore, coal, and grains which are often
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