SA ports deliver multi-billion-dollar economic boost
More than $22 billion of international trade is moving through South Australian ports, a new report has found.
A Ports Australia report has found South Australia’s ports contribute $4.5 billion to Gross State Product (GSP) annually and ship 14 per cent of the country’s agriculture and food trade by volume.
The ‘State of Trade 2024’ economic impact study found SA ports facilitate $22 billion worth of international trade annually and contribute to more than 24,000 jobs in the state.
South Australia’s largest exports were iron ore, agriculture and food according to Ports Australia.
Stewart Lammin, chief executive of Flinders Ports – the operator of seven ports in South Australia – said the company’s facilities were “essential”.
“Ports are essential for exporting minerals, food and agriculture, mining and defence equipment, fuel, cars and other equipment, and contribute significantly to keeping our economy moving,” Lammin said.
“South Australia’s ports are critical to our state, supporting our farmers, the mining, resources and defence industries, and in providing direct and indirect employment.
“This report, the first of its kind, shows the value of our maritime industry and how essential it is when it comes to driving our regional economy.”
Nationally, ports moved 99 per cent of Australia’s international trade by volume according to the report, and contribute $264 billion to GSP. The annual value of trade facilitated by Australian ports was $650 billion.
Western Australia facilitated the most trade by value at $233 billion, followed by Queensland ($128 billion), New South Wales ($127 billion), Victoria ($111 billion), South Australia, the Northern Territory ($13.6 billion) and Tasmania ($2.5 billion).
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Ports Australia CEO Mike Gallacher said ports were “the lifeblood of our economy and connect us to the world”.
“We often take for granted just how critical our ports are across a range of industries and communities,” he said.
“This report paints a picture of the impact of our sector and demonstrates in clear terms how important our ports are to our standard of living.
“The ‘blue highway’ is the most critical path to our national prosperity.”
