Mid West Ports Authority releases annual report, revealing jump in iron ore exports and decrease in grain

Despite a heavy reduction in grain exports at Geraldton Port last financial year, the authority maintained a strong trade performance thanks to an increase in iron ore exports. Due to the reduced grain harvest, Mid West Ports Authority’s grain exports dropped significantly from the previous year and resulted in a slightly reduced total throughput compared to last year. In its 2023-24 financial year, MWPA exported 2485Mt of grain, down from the 3635Mt exported in 2022-23. But with iron ore exports increasing by 1148Mt, the port signed off on a total throughput of 17.3M tonnes in 2023-24, down from the 17.4M tonnes the previous year. Iron ore exports for the last financial year equalled 12,513Mt, up from the 11,365Mt exported in 2022-23 due to Fenix Resources’ merger with Mt Gibson Iron and Terra Mining beginning operations. MWPA exported 1024Mt of mineral sands, 394Mt of concentrates and 22Mt of crude oil. The port imported a total of 848Mt of mineral sands, bulk items and liquids and fertilisers. MWPA chair Noel Hart said the port has played a crucial role in the evolving tourism sector and sponsoring local events, and will continue to collaborate with the State Government in relation to development of the Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area. “The hard work of staff needs to be commended, but also the strong partnerships with local communities, whose support and collaboration have been essential to the Port’s success,” he said. According to the 2023-24 annual report, MWPA awarded 18 community grants totalling more than $115,000, supporting sports, environmental, and cultural projects. Theatre 8 Inc. became the third recipient of the three-year Not-For-Profit Partnership Program. MWPA installed new fogger systems and a wind dispersion fence, which aims to mitigate dust travelling from the port. The Marine Terrace roundabout was one infrastructure project successfully completed this year.