Port of Mackay has reported a strong trade performance for the past 12 months as it reaches 85 years since its official opening.

Trade through the port last financial year reached 3.58 million tonnes, compared to 3.51 million tonnes for the previous year.

The 2023-24 figure fell just shy of the record 3.59 million tonnes achieved in 2021-22.

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation chief executive officer Brendan Webb said the buoyant trade performance highlighted how the publicly owned port was powering into the future.

“Since the start, the Port of Mackay has been a pivotal hub for trade in North Queensland, and this year is no exception,” Mr Webb said.

“In 2023-24 petroleum, the top traded commodity, saw its highest-ever volume at 1.85 million tonnes, surpassing the 1.84 million tonnes of 2021-22.

“Agricultural commodities continued to trade strongly, with sugar (1.04 million tonnes), and grain (334,729 tonnes) amongst the top three trades.”

William Forgan Smith, then Premier and Member for Mackay, officially opened the port on August 26, 1939.

Mr Webb said the Port of Mackay had been there every step of the way as the region established itself as a cornerstone for mining and trade in northern Queensland.

“Looking to the future, the Port of Mackay will be key to enabling the development of projects critical to the State Government’s decarbonisation targets and the Energy and Jobs Plan,” he said.

“There is a suite of proposed renewable energy projects slated for development across the region that will require imports through the Port of Mackay to come to life.

“We stand ready to embrace the development of renewable energy as the next big economic cornerstone that will drive prosperity for our region and Queensland as a whole.”