The Pilbara Ports has announced that in their 2024-25 financial year it achieved a significant milestone with a record 775.7 million tons of exports and imports passing through the ports of Ashburton, Dampier, Port Hedland, and Varanus Island, which marks the sixth consecutive year of record-breaking throughput.
This throughput of the ports equates to an estimated $153 billion worth of commodities across the four ports as the Pilbara Ports informs.
The Port of Port Hedland alone contributed significantly to this achievement with a throughput of 577.7 million tons which is a 1 per cent increase from last financial year, solidifying its status as one of Australia’s most important ports.
Despite global economic uncertainty, iron ore exports through Pilbara Ports remained strong, increasing by 3 per cent to 730.8 million tons for the 2024-25 financial year. Pilbara Ports play a crucial role in facilitating Australia’s iron ore trade, handling approximately 81 per cent of the national trade and 43 per cent of the global trade.
Salt exports through the ports of Port Hedland and Dampier totalled 5.3 million tons in 2024-25 accounting for about 26 per cent of Australian salt, and Pilbara Ports recorded 8,480 safe vessel visits, equating to an average of 23 vessel visits each day across its four operational ports.
The Ports Minister, Stephen Dawson, says that “The Pilbara remains the economic powerhouse of the nation, playing a crucial role in facilitating Australia’s iron ore trade. Despite the challenging global economic environment, it is great to see the team at Pilbara Ports deliver a sixth consecutive year of record-breaking throughput and solidify itself as one of Australia’s most valuable ports. The Cook Government has been proud to support key infrastructure projects including the Spoilbank Marina and the Lumsden Point project. These infrastructure projects not only benefit our national economy but also generate local jobs in the region to support a future made in WA.”
