Oz grain handlers take aim

Southern Ports and Gold Valley marked a milestone as MV Sifnos departed the Port of Esperance with 78,000t of iron ore.

The Port of Mackay handled 3.58 million tonnes of trade in 2023-24, nearing its record of 3.59 million tonnes, as it celebrates 85 years of operation.

Southern Ports set nine records this year, with standout imports being caustic soda and fertiliser, and spodumene exports hitting a fourth consecutive record.

The ACCC has raised preliminary competition concerns over Aurizon’s proposed acquisition of Flinders Logistics, which operates at Port Adelaide and Port Pirie.

Southern Ports will grant Gold Valley Iron Ore access to Port of Esperance facilities, with exports starting September 2024.

MinRes has delivered the first ore on the ship from its Onslow Iron project, previously marking the arrival of two purpose-built transhippers.