Southern Ports set new trade records

Eight new trade records have been set across Southern Ports’ three ports — including grain export and fuel imports at Esperance Port.

In the 2025-26 financial year, Esperance Port exported 3.77 million tonnes of grain, breaking the previous record of 3.75Mt set in the 2022-23 financial year, and imported 413,135 tonnes of fuel, breaking the 2023-24 record of 409,360 tonnes.

Overall grain exports of 9.7Mt across the three ports — the others being Bunbury and Albany — shattered previous records by almost 340,000 tonnes, with 4.6Mt exported from Albany alone.

Albany’s port also recorded its highest total trade of 5.7Mt, and exports (5.5Mt), than any other time in its 200-year history — and welcomed more vessels than ever before with 171.

Scrap metal exports from Port of Bunbury came in at 73,000 tonnes, beating the previous year’s record of 62,093 tonnes.

Southern Ports chief executive Keith Wilks said improving efficiencies and an expanded customer base allowed the ports to handle increasing trade.

Mr Wilks said while there had been “several disruptions” affecting the global shipping industry during the past year, all three ports were continuing to “get the job done”.

“The proactive approach taken by teams should give our customers across the Great Southern, South West and Goldfields-Esperance regions tremendous confidence,” he said.

“We remain committed to working with them so that our regional industries can go from strength to strength.”

The ports handled close to 40 commodities for 55 customers across the course of the year.

New product moving through the ports included quicklime in bulker bags, and minerals, and new customers included Yilgarn Iron, and Pacific Lime and Cement.

Other customers also partnered with Southern Ports to unlock new trade opportunities, adopting new cargo handling methods and operational approaches.

“By finding new and more efficient ways to move trade, we’re helping regional industries grow, supporting jobs and strengthening the State’s economy,” Mr Wilks said.

“Infrastructure Australia has reinforced the growing need for bulk export ports across the nation to diversify in order to remain resilient and that is something we keep front of mind to foster enduring value within our regions.

“In a number of respects we are ahead of the curve in terms of diversification, but we’re certainly not resting on our laurels.”

Full financial year results will be available when Southern Ports’ annual report is tabled in State Parliament in coming months.