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 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)

Initiatives adopted to facilitate structural adjustment of rail systems in Australia have resulted in redeployment and redundancy of rail workers. A survey was conducted by the Bureau of Transport and Communications Economics to obtain information on the work experiences of redeployed and redundant rail workers.

• Redeployment and Redundancy in Australian Railways
  
  report_065.pdf
  (4.69 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 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 provides a simple method for evaluating alternative strategies for road pavement construction and maintenance using a life cycle costing approach.

• Pavement Management: Development of a Life Cycle Costing Technique
  
  op_100.pdf
  (3.86 MB)

This paper examines the financial performance of the government business enterprises (GBEs) in the Transport and Communications portfolio: Qantas, Australian Airlines, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the Federal Airports Corporation (FAC), ANL Limited (previously the Australian Shipping Commission), the Australian National Railways Commission (AN), Telecom, Australia Post, OTC (OTC Limited, previously the Overseas Telecommunications Commission) and AUSSAT Pty Limited.

• Financial Performance of Government Business Enterprises in the Transport and Communications Portfolio 1977–78 to 1988–89
  
  ip_035.pdf
  (7.7 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)