The four regional port authorities will control the 13 smaller ports currently managed by the Department of Transport with Fremantle to remain a standalone port authority.

Five ports planned for the Kimberley, Pilbara and Mid West will also come under control of the regional authorities.

“There are currently 21 ports and new ports will be constructed at Barrow Island’s Gorgon project, Wheatstone, Oakajee, James Price Point and Anketell,” WA Premier and State Development Minister Colin Barnett said.

“It clearly makes sense to consolidate all these existing and future ports into an appropriately managed regional port structure.”

The WA government will now consult with port customers and industry, with the first regional port authority expected to be announced in 2014.

Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia chief executive Reg Howard-Smith welcomed today’s announcement.

“The government has outlined significant change in the way ports are managed and industry hopes the implementation lead time will provide for in-depth consultation with the WA resources sector and all port users,” Howard-Smith said.

“Efficient ports are crucial to the success of the Western Australian resources sector. Without well managed port operations the hard work that goes into extracting and processing our natural resources is undermined, and we cannot realise our export potential.

According to figures released by the CME, the state’s resource sector exports more than 40 different mineral and petroleum products and is leading the nation on total merchandise exports, which were valued at $A118.4 billion in 2010-11.