Port Construction in Australia - Market Research Report (2013-2028)
Melbourne, Australia
Last Updated: October 2023
ANZSIC OD5523Revenue
$1.3bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XX.Xm
Employees
1,827
Businesses
164
Wages
$XXX.Xm
Port Construction in Australia industry analysis
Trends in international trade, commodity exports and passenger sea transport drive the Port Construction industry. The industry tends to display wide annual fluctuations corresponding with large-scale developments starting up and finishing. A core driver of industry activity in Australia has been facilitating growth in bulk commodity exports, like minerals, energy products and agricultural goods. The mining investment boom that peaked in 2012-13 supported unprecedented port construction, but these projects' completion has dampened demand for new developments in recent years. The industry's performance has also fluctuated widely after construction work was completed on wharf facilities, jetties and dredging to service new LNG terminals in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Work on the large-scale expansion of container port facilities at the Port of Melbourne's Webb Dock and the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal at the Port of Brisbane also concluded.
Trends and Insights
- The industry has fluctuated widely, with favourable trends in the total mass of exports by sea and growth in the Mining division's output. Low performance in 2020-21 coincided with weaker exports by sea as the pandemic disrupted global supply chains.
- The port construction process has many stages, including design, procurement, construction and project management. Cargo type dictates the infrastructure requirements for the terminal and docking facilities at the port.
- The construction of several major developments has supported Queensland's high reputation within the industry. These developments include upgrades to the Port of Gladstone and construction of the Amrun project for Rio Tinto at the Port of Weipa.
- The industry's larger-scale projects involve substantial technical complexity and only a few players can effectively compete for some tenders. Industry participants compete on their work quality, proven track record and capabilities.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 2.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $1.3bn in 2023.
Trends and Insights
The number of key projects continues to progress, supporting industry revenue
- A recent surge in industry activity, albeit from a low base, reflects work on several large-scale port developments, including the Port of Townsville's Port Expansion Project (PEP)'s initial dredging component, upgrades to the Port of Devonport, construction of the Glebe Island Multi-User Facility in Sydney and a $350.0 million Hay Point Coal Terminal expansion in Central Queensland.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Scheduled port upgrades are set to bolster industry growth
- Some growth in industry activity is poised to come from upgrading port facilities to service capital cities' cargo needs and bulk agricultural exports.
Biggest companies in the Port Construction in Australia
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
McConnell Dowell | 60.6 | |
Hall Contracting | 59.3 | |
Clough | 18.9 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Container ports, Bulk ports and General cargo. Container ports is the largest segment of the Port Construction in Australia.
Trends and Insights
Revenue from bulk ports has expanded, propelled by the ongoing regional developments
- Bulk ports are designed to handle bulk products like coal, iron ore, petroleum and LNG. Ports in this segment include Cape Lambert in Western Australia, the largest iron ore port in Australia and the Port of Gladstone in Queensland.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Road and Bridge Construction in Australia
Complementors
- Heavy Industry and Other Non-Building Construction in Australia
- Site Preparation Services in Australia
- Port and Water Transport Terminal Operations in Australia
International industries
- Heavy Engineering Construction in the US
- Heavy Engineering Construction in Canada
- Heavy Industry and Other Non-Building Construction in New Zealand
- Dam, Harbour & Other Water Project Construction in the UK
- Dam, Harbour & Other Water Project Construction in Germany
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in the Port Construction industry construct, refurbish and alter ports and port amenities, including terminal infrastructure. Repair and maintenance activities are excluded from the industry.
What's included in this industry?
DredgingContainer terminal constructionLNG jetty constructionBulk cargo terminal constructionGeneral cargo terminal constructionCompanies
McConnell DowellHall ContractingCloughPurchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
BULK CARGOGENERAL CARGOWET HIREDRY HIREENGINEERING, PROCUREMENT AND CONSTRUCTION (EPC)Industry Code
ANZSIC 3109 - Port Construction in Australia
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The industry has fluctuated widely, with favourable trends in the total mass of exports by sea and growth in the Mining division's output. Low performance in 2020-21 coincide...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
The port construction process has many stages, including design, procurement, construction and project management. Cargo type dictates the infrastructure requirements for the...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2023
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2023
- Major market segmentation in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The construction of several major developments has supported Queensland's high reputation within the industry. These developments include upgrades to the Port of Gladstone an...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2023
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
The industry's larger-scale projects involve substantial technical complexity and only a few players can effectively compete for some tenders. Industry participants compete o...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Many large port construction companies are responsible for constructing discrete stages of a major development, often involving specialist services like dredging and erecting ...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
- Overview of McConnell Dowell's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Hall Contracting's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Clough's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for McConnell Dowell, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Hall Contracting, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Clough, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The majority of industry regulations cover planning, environmental pollution, building standards, labour relations, and occupational health and safety. The National Building ...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
The Port Construction industry receives contracts to undertake large-scale works from ports and their stakeholders. As they are given control of their projects, companies pro...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
- Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Average Wage (2013-2028)
- Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
- Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2013-2028)
- IVA (2013-2028)
- Establishments (2013-2028)
- Enterprises (2013-2028)
- Employment (2013-2028)
- Exports (2013-2028)
- Imports (2013-2028)
- Wages (2013-2028)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Australia include:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Australian Taxation Office
- Australian Securities & Investments Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Port Construction industry in Australia in 2024?
The market size of the Port Construction industry in Australia is $1.3bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Port Construction in Australia industry in 2023?
There are 164 businesses in the Port Construction industry in Australia, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.9 % between 2018 and 2023.
Has the Port Construction industry in Australia grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Port Construction industry in Australia has been growing at a CAGR of 2.2 % between 2018 and 2023.
What is the forecast growth of the Port Construction industry in Australia over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Port Construction industry in Australia is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Port Construction market in Australia?
The biggest companies operating in the Port Construction market in Australia are McConnell Dowell, Hall Contracting and Clough
What does the Port Construction in Australia include?
Dredging and Container terminal construction are part of the Port Construction industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Port Construction in Australia?
The company holding the most market share in Australia is McConnell Dowell.
How competitive is the Port Construction industry in Australia?
The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Port Construction industry in Australia.
