This Paper discusses the current situation and problems of Australian Port Authorities, particularly in the light of the limited amount of competition imposed by the economies of scale inherent in modern cargo-handling technologies, whether for bulk cargoes or for containers.

• Port Authorities in Australia
  
  op_084.pdf
  (5.62 MB)

On 11 September 1985, Terms of Reference directing the Bureau of Transport Economics to undertake an assessment of the costs and benefits of closing Australian National's Tasmanian rail system were announced. This Paper provides details of freight projections derived from an examination of the future prospects for those industries using rail services within Tasmania.

• Tasmanian Industry Outlook: Implications for Tasrail
  
  ip_024.pdf
  (4.69 MB)

In December 1986, the Australian Transport Advisory Council (ATAC) sought the assistance of the Bureau of Transport Economics in undertaking a review of transport research in Australia. The aims of the resulting study carried out by the Bureau were to identify the nature and extent of current Australian transport research, to assess priority areas for future research and to address coordination issues pertinent to delivery of an effective research effort. Following consideration at the December 1987 meeting of ATAC the results of the review are to be used as a basis for discussion at a seminar on transport research to be convened early in 1988.

• Shore-Based Shipping Costs: Transport and Handling of Bulk Cargo
  
  ip_026.pdf
  (3.74 MB)

The discussion of domestic aviation issues in Australia has historically focused on the passenger market. This reflects the dominance of passenger transport in the operations of the domestic airlines and the relatively small proportion of domestic cargo that is carried by air. Despite this emphasis on passenger operations, the Commonwealth Government has implemented regulations specifically directed at air cargo and the major airlines have evolved separate strategies for cargo traffic in recent years. Cargo is now an important element of Australia's domestic aviation industry and is a significant source of income for several carriers. This Paper presents the findings of a BTE study of the domestic air cargo industry in Australia.

• Domestic Air Cargo Industry in Australia
  
  op_087.pdf
  (5.59 MB)

The Paper presents an analysis of the changes in the size and distribution of the world fleet over the period 1970 to 1987. A comparison of the world fleet and bulk ships visiting Australia in 1985–86 is also presented. Also included is a forecast of the future size and distribution of the world fleet under a range of assumptions. Australia's export of major bulk commodities in terms of volume (coal, iron ore and grains) is dependent on the services provided by the world dry bulk fleet. This Paper provides an analysis of the supply characteristics of these ships.

• Characteristics and Cost Structure of the Bulk Shipping Fleet
  
  op_093.pdf
  (12.84 MB)

Changes in the markets for Australia's refrigerated exports have created pressures on cargo facilities on ships and at ports. This demand has led some exporters to express concern at the difficulties in obtaining sufficient cargo space, particularly during the peak season. This Paper aims to provide an overview of the seaborne export of refrigerated goods, identify whether problems exist and their magnitudes, and explore possible future directions for change.

• Shortages in Refrigerated Shipping
  
  op_094.pdf
  (6.03 MB)

In the past, there have been many occasions when decision makers have wanted to know the likely effects of proposed policies on the different transport industries involved in moving non-bulk freight around Australia. Their decisions have been hampered by a lack of data on the magnitude of, and trends in, nonbulk freight flows between capital cities and almost no usable estimates of the determinants of intercapital freight flows on all modes.

• Freight Flows in Australian Transport Corridors
  
  op_098.pdf
  (5.42 MB)

This Paper provides a description of the short-term forecasting models used in the Bureau's quarterly publication–Transport and Communications Indicators. For domestic freight, four models cover intercapital road freight, non-bulk government rail freight, bulk government rail freight and domestic air freight. Urban freight activity is not covered. For overseas trade there are also four models: bulk export tonnages, non-bulk import tonnages, air freight exports and air freight imports.

• Short Term Forecasting of Transport and Communications Activity
  
  wp_002.pdf
  (6.14 MB)

This study updates to 1991, the components of shore based shipping costs included in the Industry Task Force 1986 Shore-Based Shipping Final Report, and BTE Occasional Paper 80, Shore-based Shipping Costs, Non-bulk Cargo. Estimates are presented for the total costs of moving containerised cargo between ships and warehouse.The potential impact on costs of more even cargo flows is examined.

• Shore-Based Shipping Costs of Containerised Cargo: A 1991 Update
  
  ip_036.pdf
  (2.83 MB)

Data and information on the road freight transport industry is in limited supply. In order to reduce this problem, the Bureau of Transport and Communications Economics undertook this overview of the road freight transport industry. The industry is shown to be carrying an increasing proportion of total freight movements in Australia, with strong competition evident throughout all sectors of the industry.

• The Road Freight Transport Industry
  
  ip_038.pdf
  (4.2 MB)