Southern Ports has continued its record-breaking streak by setting 13 new trade records across it three ports Albany, Bunbury and Esperance in the past year.
Import records for caustic soda and fertiliser were both broken for the second straight year, while there was also record volumes of silica sand and scrap metal exported.
Southern Ports Chief Executive Officer Keith Wilks said import records were a sign of strong investment in regional capacity.
“Traditionally as a bulk export port, there has often been a focus on what has been shipped out, but the products being brought in are vital for key regional industries, and that’s only going to increase,” Mr Wilks said.
“Record fertiliser imports mean regional growers have access to soil improvement measures when they need it, which means improved yields come the end of the season.”
More than 600,000 tonnes of fertiliser was imported across Southern Ports’ three ports over the year, which was a 60,000 tonne increase on the year prior and a 215,000 tonne increase on 2023.
Individually both the Port of Esperance (305,000 tonnes) and the Port of Albany (282,000 tonnes) set new fertiliser import records.
“We entered into a new trial agreement with CSBP in Esperance this year which allowed the company to store its product at the Port before being transported offsite,” Mr Wilks said.
“Our team worked closely with CSBP to unload vessels directly into a shed using Port of Esperance conveyor infrastructure in a much more efficient manner – it was a win for everyone involved.”
All the scrap metal exported (62,000 tonnes) and breakbulk imported (30,250 tonnes) through Southern Ports went through the Port of Bunbury.
“Being able to handle and provide laydown for 30,000 tonnes of components for the Synergy Collie Battery Energy Storage System was a great demonstration of the Port of Bunbury’s flexible capacity,” Mr Wilks said.
“We’re frequently in conversation with potential customers because of the Port’s capacities and ideal location as the closest regional port to the metro area.”
The new overall silica sand export record (714,000 tonnes) also came on the back of the Port of Bunbury exporting an individual record (548,000 tonnes).
“Our ability to welcome new customers such as Heidelberg Materials to the Port of Bunbury resulted in more than double the volume of silica sand moving through the Port when compared to 2024,” Mr Wilks said.
“Our capabilities and preparedness to work with customers to find solutions that connect them either with pathways into WA or to global export markets positions us well to further diversify trade through our ports.”
This was highlighted by two new commodities being added to Southern Ports throughput for the first time this year, with the Port of Bunbury importing sugar (23,000 tonnes) and the Port of Esperance exporting feldspar (12,000 tonnes).
Spodumene exports out of the Port of Bunbury also grew by more than 380,000 tonnes to a record 1.8 million tonnes.
“While there’s been plenty of talk about falling lithium prices, we continue to see strong demand for lithium sourced from mines in our catchment, and the Port of Bunbury continues to lead the world as the largest export port for lithium,” Mr Wilks said.
“A record in spodumene also contributed to the largest throughput in history at the Port of Bunbury’s Berth 8, which reflects well on recent investment into the berth’s infrastructure including its conveyor upgrades and shed improvements.”
A combined 30 million tonnes of trade was facilitated by Southern Ports in 2024-25 across 40 commodities.
Southern Ports has continuously achieved more than nine trade records for at least the past seven years running.