A $6.5 million upgrade at the Port of Townsville is delivering an immediate capacity boost at the port’s busiest berths, improving freight efficiency and vessel turnaround times for North Queensland trade.
The works at berths three and four extend the operating reach of the port’s Liebherr ship-to-shore crane, removing a long-standing bottleneck that limited the efficient handling of larger vessels. The upgrade supports containerised freight, general cargo and other trade-critical movements through the port.
The project was delivered on time and on budget by Port of Townsville Limited, with more than 85 per cent of the work completed by local workers and businesses, ensuring economic benefits flowed directly into the regional economy.
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the upgrade was focused on productivity and value for Queenslanders.
“This upgrade strengthens the Port of Townsville’s ability to support trade and jobs by removing a long-standing capacity constraint at its busiest berths,” Bates said.
She said the project demonstrated a practical approach to infrastructure delivery.
“The Port’s on-time and on-budget delivery of this key project demonstrates the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to delivering practical infrastructure that improves efficiency and delivers economic opportunity for Queenslanders,” she said.
The capacity improvement is expected to have an immediate operational impact, with smoother crane movements and reduced vessel waiting times translating into faster freight flows through the port.
Member for Townsville Adam Baillie said the benefits would be visible on the ground straight away.
“Upon completion, people who work at the port will see the difference straight away, with smoother operations and ships moving through more efficiently,” Baillie said.
“The port is critical to Townsville’s economy and industry, supporting thousands of local jobs and keeping our region connected to national and international markets,” he said.
As one of North Queensland’s most important freight gateways, the Port of Townsville plays a key role in supporting regional supply chains, resources exports and essential imports. The berth upgrades strengthen the port’s ability to handle growing trade volumes while improving reliability for operators and customers.