Blog by Northern Stevedoring Services General Manager Mark George
The growth story of Northern Stevedoring Services has the same plot line as the story of the North Queensland economy.
NSS was established 53 years ago to manage exports for Mount Isa Mines. Owner Glencore is a shareholder and has representatives on the board.
These days Qube is a joint venture shareholder in the company which has grown to offer the largest workforce and stevedoring capability in regional Queensland.
We are led by a board which includes some of the most recognised waterfront managers in the country.
They bring with them a great appreciation of the opportunities and challenges across the country and internationally.
Getting the board’s backing is a vote of confidence in the region’s prospects. This plays out as NSS is continually making investment in logistics including warehousing and transport assets.
NSS is the link between what’s mined, grown or manufactured and world markets. So our growth is certainly reflective of the diverse range of cargoes we handle in regional Queensland.
As that profile grows, so too does our business. Back in 1971 coal mining was a fledgling industry. It is now the county’s second largest export valued at $127.4 billion in the 2023 financial year.
Co-incidentally, our facility at Mackay Port recently discharged the world’s largest and second largest excavators destined for the coalfields.
Wind turbines, solar panels and support assets are now common on Gladstone Port. Ten years ago it was considered an exotic import.
New industry on the horizon includes critical minerals, batteries and rare earth elements. There’s planning for a grains industry in North Queensland.
Defence traffic has increased markedly through both Townsville and Gladstone in line with the development of training facilities and the northward push of defence capabilities.
We’re very lucky to be in this part of the world with such a diverse economy. In response we are investing and expanding our facilities and processes to meet demand.