Pilbara Ports breaks records
Pilbara Ports has achieved record throughput for the sixth consecutive year with 775.7mt of exports and imports moving through its ports in FY25.
This throughput equates to around $153b worth of commodities across the ports of Ashburton, Dampier, Port Hedland and Varanus Island, highlighting the essential role Pilbara Ports plays in the global supply chain and the Australian economy.
The Port of Port Hedland contributed 577.7mt to the total, a 1% increase to last financial years performance, securing its position as one of the most important ports in the country.
Iron ore exports remained strong, despite global economic uncertainty, with an increase of 3% to 730.8mt for FY25. Pilbara Ports handled 81% of Australia’s iron ore trade and 43% of global iron ore trade.
WA Ports Minister Stephen Dawson says 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,” he said.
Salt exports through the ports of port Hedland and Dampier reached 5.3mt, accounting for 26% of Australia’s salt production for FY25.
Pilbara Ports recorded 8480 safe vessel visits, equating to an average of 23 vessel visits each day across the four ports.
In the last financial year, Pilbara Ports also completed the construction of Spoilbank Marina in Port Hedland on behalf of the WA Government.
Other Federal and WA Government funded projects reported significant progress during FY25 including Lumsden Point in the Port of Port Hedland and the Dampier cargo wharf projects in the Port of Dampier, supporting future port growth.
At Lumsden Point, Pilbara Ports has completed the causeway to connect two new wharfs to an extensive logistics hub. The 1km long causeway incorporates a 12m wide road, pipeline and logistics corridors.
The Federal Government is investing $565m in common user port upgrades in the Pilbara, $450m of which will be used for the development of new-multi-user facilities and berths at Lumsden Point. The project has also received $96.6m in funding from the WA Government.
The first of two new wharfs at the Lumsden Point facility is scheduled for completion in mid-2026, with the operations commencing shortly after. A second wharf is planned to be completed in late 2026.