The Port of Brisbane is Queensland’s largest container and multi-cargo port. In FY23, a record 1.56m TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent containers) were handled through the Port.

As Port Manager, we work with our customers to help facilitate trade and economic growth for Queensland. 

As a major container and general cargo port, understanding container freight movements within the Port of Brisbane precinct and beyond the port gate helps to inform future port planning and development for PBPL and our customers and supply chain partners. 

In 2023, Port of Brisbane appointed GHD in association with the Container Trade Alliance Australia (CTAA), to undertake an Origin Destination Study as a refresh of the 2013 Port of Brisbane Container Logistics Chain Study. 

Key findings include:

Road

• Approximately 99% of the import and export containers (full and empty) were transported to and from the Port by road
  • 82% of full import containers and 87% of full export containers are staged at transport yards
  • 95% of import containers were unpacked and 51% of exports were packed within 100 km of the Port.
• Export container origins (i.e. where they were packed):
  • 20% of export containers were packed in the Port and greater port precinct
  • 28% were packed in other Brisbane suburbs
  • 29% originated in regional Queensland
  • Less than 5% originated interstate.
• Import container destinations:
  • 26% were unpacked in the Port or contiguous industrial suburbs such as Lytton, Hemmant, Murarrie)
  • 55% were distributed to destinations across Brisbane
  • 42% were distributed to adjacent regions
  • 2% were distributed further across regional Queensland
  • 1% were transported interstate, mainly northern NSW.

Rail

• Rail share has declined from approximately 5% to approximately 1% since 2013, due to heavy vehicles offering more cost-effective transportation solutions
• Rail share is 100% export containers.

The OD Study was based on two months of data (August and September 2021) and considers container freight movements and volumes, logistics chain operations and changes since the 2013 report, trade and traffic volumes, and factors influencing current and potential future supply chains. 

Download the Origin Destination Summary Report here.