In this study the waterfront is defined as consisting of various service establishments involved in the handling of cargo at Australian ports. These include port-related services provided by port authorities, pilotage services, tugboat operations, all stevedoring services and container terminal operations, bulk terminals, customs agency services and the services of the customs and quarantine authorities. The definition also covers bulk storage and container depots even though these operations may occur away from the actual waterfront.

• Economic Significance of the Waterfront
  
  ip_029.pdf
  (4.2 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)

This Paper analyses the economic efficiency of the harbour towage industry in Australia. It follows an earlier BTCE Paper which described the structure and operation of the industry. Analysis includes overseas comparisons, a crosssection model of towage charges and a study of industrial agreements. A survey of the harbour towage industry obtained the views of shipping lines, ships' agents, major shippers and port authorities. Extensive discussions were also held with representatives of these groups and other industry participants.

• Harbour Towage: An Analysis of Industry Performance
  
  op_096.pdf
  (5.9 MB)

This paper contains revision of some data for earlier years as well as statistics for 1985–86 and 1986–87. The paper presents a broad analysis of expenditure and revenue statistics, indicating the major trends in, and patterns of, road expenditure for each level of government in each State.

• Australian Road Financing Statistics 1977–78 to 1986–87
  
  ip_033.pdf
  (10.26 MB)

This paper examines price setting policies and practices of port authorities in Australia. It provides a description of the port industry and an overview of pricing practices, then assesses these practices against various criteria, notably financial balance, economic efficiency and equity. Areas in which an improved outcome might result from the application of economic principles are identified.

• The Pricing of Port Services
  
  op_097.pdf
  (8.21 MB)

This report discusses the effect of Australian flag shipping on the balance of payments (the external account). In preparing the report, the BTCE estimated the 1986–87 contribution to the external account from all Australian shipping operations and evaluated 17 case studies of hypothetical Australian ships in international trades. The case studies were carried out using a ship costing model called BTESHIP and were based on hypothetical new vessels operating with the crew costs and conditions negotiated by the Shipping Reform Task Force (so-called MlDC ships). The case study data were also used to evaluate efficiency in earning foreign exchange with domestic resource cost analysis.

• Australian Shipping and the Balance of Payments
  
  op_099.pdf
  (5.18 MB)

This Paper primarily examines the costs of waterfront unreliability in Australia in 1988 drawing on information provided by shipping companies and on the results of a survey of importers and exporters. It makes no attempt to estimate the extent to which the costs of waterfront unreliability might be reduced or the costs of the measures required to reduce them.

• The Costs of Waterfront Unreliability in 1988
  
  op_101.pdf
  (10.13 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)

This study has refined the methodology and expanded the scope of a previous Bureau of Transport and Communications Economics study on the cost of road accidents in Australia. The human capital approach has been used in this study to estimate the social cost of road, rail, aviation and maritime accidents in Australia in 1988.

• Social Cost of Transport Accidents in Australia
  
  report_079.pdf
  (5.87 MB)