otal trade of 32.2 million tonnes was a
good result for the port given the changing circumstances of port customers during the year. This result is only slightly down from last year’s record 33.6 million tonnes and was achieved despite the significant downturn in steel related trade which dropped by nearly 50% from the previous year.
BlueScope Steel announced in August 2011 that it would cease production at its Number 6 Blast Furnace and would withdraw from the export market. This had an immediate impact on trade through the port both in relation to the raw material imports, most importantly iron ore, and the export of finished products.