The freight and logistics industry is an essential component of the national economy, where the sector accounts for approximately 8.6 % of GDP. As an isolated continent and island, maritime transport is important to Australia's international trade. Air transport is used principally for perishable or fragile goods. On average each year 350 million tonnes of goods transit through Australian ports. The road network links the capitals and a number of regional centers. While road transport represents more than 70% of goods trafficked, the Australian rail network is proving to be a profitable and competitive alternative.
According to latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), in 2018–19, there were 218.9 billion tonne kilometres of freight moved by road. Unfortunately, the latest figures concerning rail freight transport dated 2015–16, at that moment there were 413.5 billion tonne kilometres of freight moved by rail. Finally, according to ABS, 107.8 billion tonne kilometres of freight was moved by coastal shipping in 2016–17.
Australia: Buying and Selling
