In financial year 2004-05, the port shipped 77.72 million tonnes of coal, an increase of 12,000t over the previous year The Newcastle Herald reported.

 

Including all trade, total tonnage through the port was more than 83.5Mt valued at around $A7 billion.

 

Newcastle Port Corporation chief Gary Webb told The Herald total trade for the year increased by more than 800,000t.

 

Webb predicts further success next year and said the port was well on track for another record.

 

Meanwhile, booming international trade conditions showed in Port Kembla Port Corporation's results released yesterday, with a profit increase of $10 million to $17.4 million - its best trade figures in four years.

 

The New South Wales port increased its coal exports by 1.7 million tonnes, while grain and iron ore exports also increased.

 

The total amount of cargo moved through the port was 24.4 million tonnes for the year ending June 30, some 2.3 million tonnes higher than the previous corresponding period.

 

PKPC chief executive Dom Figliomeni told the Illawarra Mercury key developments in the past 12 months included completion of the $16 million multi-purpose berth extension and consent for a new $30 million general cargo facility.