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Page last updated on 14-07-2021.
News
Port of Townsville wins prestigious maritime industry award
Port of Townsville has been named Australia’s Port of the Year for 2024 at the DCN Australian Shipping and Maritime Industry Awards in Melbourne. Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby said it was an honour to receive the accolade and acknowledgement from our industry and peers. “This wonderful achievement reflects the dedication, hard work and passion of our Port staff and customers who work proudly and tirelessly to service our region,” Ms Crosby said. The judging panel said they were particularly impressed by the Port’s remarkable achievement of handling more than $12 billion worth of commodities last financial year, with ambitious plans for triple trade in the coming decades. “Their impressive $1.6 billion expansion plan, highlighted by a historic $251 million Channel Upgrade project, showcases their commitment to increasing capacity and efficiency,” the judges said. “Moreover, their dedication to growth and sustainability, evident in the installation of solar panels and the development of renewable energy initiatives, positions them as forward-thinking leaders in the industry. “With a record cruise season ahead and significant growth in motor vehicle imports, the Port of Townsville is undoubtedly driving economic growth in North Queensland while embracing a sustainable future.” Ms Crosby said it is a particular honour to be able to celebrate the milestone in the Port’s 160th year of operation, and a year when we will complete the $251 million Channel Upgrade project – the largest infrastructure project in the Port’s history. “North Queensland is poised for an era of transformative growth in critical minerals, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and mining,” Ms Crosby said. “The Port stands ready to meet the rising demand for advance port infrastructure to help to support a new frontier for economic development in our region.” Finalists in the 2024 Australian Port or Terminal of the Year Award included Barry Beach Marine Terminal, Port of Brisbane, Patrick Terminals and Port Kembla.
Port funds help locals lead 'Brighter Lives'
An innovative health and wellbeing program aimed at empowering young mothers living on Palm Island is just one of the important projects the Port of Townsville’s Community Fund has supported this year. A record 57 applications were received, with 10 successful recipients sharing in $50,000 that will go towards a range of projects and causes including environmental stewardship and community togetherness. Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby said the Community Fund was in its fourth year and continued to make a positive difference to the wider community. “The Port of Townsville is celebrating its 160th year of operations this year and we have always existed to support our broader community,” Ms Crosby said. “To see the successful applicants of the 2024 Community Fund be able to purchase much needed equipment and bring to life important projects shows why our community partnerships remain so important. “We endeavour to support a wide cross section of our North Queensland community targeting a range of great initiatives and causes.” Brighter Lives Townsville Hospital Foundation will use the funding they received to support the delivery of a nutrition and cooking initiative. The funds will cover the cost of ingredients and utensils for the workshops plus support the development of a recipe book. Townsville Hospital and Health Service Clinical Midwife Consultant (Young Parent Support Worker) Kerry Foster said proper nutrition was vital for the healthy development of babies, both inside and outside of the womb. “By providing women and their families with the right knowledge and tools, we can promote healthy eating habits that will benefit them throughout their lives,” Ms Foster said. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Port of Townsville for their invaluable support. We look forward to the successful implementation of our project and making a positive impact on the community." Belgian Gardens State School’s Reef Guardian program has received a boost thanks to the funding that will be used to upgrade equipment in their vibrant reef room. “Our whole school benefits as Reef BG is a focal point for real-life hands-on science lessons,” Belgian Gardens State School STEM Coordinator Brett Murphy said. “We also have students come to our school and visit Reef BG and carry out learning activities. “Animals from Reef BG are also taken to other schools for science incursions.” Each application is assessed by the fund’s panel that carefully considers requests with the Port’s values of Partnerships, Opportunity, Respect and Trust and our themes of Prosperity, Planet, Community and People. Recipients of the 2024 Port Community Fund Organisation Item/s Funded Brighter Lives, Townsville Hospital Foundation Education and cooking classes to mitigate the risk of chronic illness for Palm Island families Belgian Gardens State School Expand the school’s Reef Ecology work breeding clownfish Jubilee Bowl's Club To purchase three bowlers’ arms to allow them to be actively involved in lawn bowls Coral Sea Outrigger Canoe Club New paddles and Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) North Queensland Wildlife Care Purchase a net launcher to capture injured birds TropWATER DNA kits and undertake studies to determine health outcomes for dugongs and sea turtles in Cleveland Bay Townsville Hike and Explore Group To purchase safety gear for their volunteer hike leaders Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare To support a large revegetation project at Douglas Magnetic Island Men's Shed To equip their premises with a kitchen Wulguru United Football Club To purchase nets, goals and equipment ahead of their junior carnival
Townsville Cruise Terminal Transformation Supports Local Economy
Port of Townsville’s Quayside Terminal is undergoing a $5.9 million transformation ahead of a record-breaking cruise season, which will see thousands of passengers and crew inject almost $10 million into the local economy. Contractor McMahon Services is delivering the package which is providing employment opportunities for local workers and suppliers throughout the construction phase. Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby said the Quayside works were necessary to cater for an influx of passengers that will visit Townsville in the 2024/25 cruise season, with Large Class cruise vessels able to access the Port for the first time. “The $251 million Channel Upgrade project, which has widened the shipping channel from 90m to 180m at the inshore end is nearing completion, which will allow vessels up to 300m long to access the Port, instead of by-passing Townsville,” Ms Crosby said. “These ships can carry upwards of 3000 passengers, almost triple the number on any one ship that we’ve usually accommodated to date. “To ensure a seamless experience from ship to shore, Quayside Terminal’s bus and taxi rank will be expanded and a dedicated kiss’n’ride drop of zone will be established.” McMahon Services is expanding the bus zone to accommodate 12 coaches, rejuvenate the taxi rank and passenger drop off areas and modify the Breezeway to include shade structures, seating and landscaping. McMahon Services General Manager Queensland Chris Bassa said their business has been part of the local market in Townsville for the last 10 years and was committed to supporting the economic growth of the region. Mr Bassa said McMahon Services’ partnership with Intract Australia, an Indigenous owned and operated business with 98% Indigenous employment, would provide opportunities for First Nations peoples to work on the Quayside Terminal project. “The project is directly supporting 11 full time equivalent positions, including staff from Intract Australia, with additional employment opportunities created with subcontractors, of which we are using 100% local trades and suppliers,” Mr Bassa said. “We are committed to delivering this project for the benefit of the local community which we have been part of for 10 years, to ensure cruise operators continue to visit Townsville with the upgraded facility.” Works commenced in early July and be complete ahead of the arrival of Silver Muse on 3 November, 2024, the first cruise ship for the 2024/25 season. Work will take place during daylight hours from Monday to Saturday. As part of the Port’s commitment to sustainability, Ms Crosby said an additional $3 million has been injected into renewable energy projects at the Terminal. HE Solutions has recently installed 430 solar panels and 60 battery banks on the roof at Quayside Terminal, which are predicted to produce 279MWh of electricity annually, which equates to 10 per cent of the Port’s annual electricity consumption.
Quayside Terminal Transformation
Townsville’s dedicated cruise terminal will undergo a major transformation as the city prepares to welcome larger passenger vessels for our 2024/25 cruise season. Local businesses are encouraged to tender for the suite of works at Port of Townsville’s Quayside Terminal which will take place over the winter months. To cater for an influx of passengers, the Terminal’s bus and taxi rank will be expanded to accommodate 12 buses and a dedicated kiss ‘n ride drop-off zone will be established. Landscaping, seating and shade structures will be installed in the Breezeway to provide guests with a tropical welcome to Townsville. Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby said the work to transform Quayside Terminal was essential to ensure cruise guests had a flawless experience when getting out to explore the region. “We have just said bon voyage to our final cruise ship for this season with Nautica visiting our city last week,” Ms Crosby said. “We already have record bookings for the 2024/25 season with 25 vessels scheduled. “We are excited to welcome Large Class cruise ships for the first time, with each carrying up to 3000 passengers, which is triple the number of guests we’ve greeted on any one ship. “The Terminal upgrades will ensure our visitors have a seamless experience from ship to shore.” The tender is open until 30 April, 2024, with works to take place between June and October. The construction work includes general earthworks, stormwater drainage, roadworks, shade structure, landscaping improvements and ancillary works. View the tender documents here.
Green methanol agreement could see Townsville join global green shipping network
Townsville stands to become a global leader in the production, export and supply of green methanol, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ABEL Energy and Port of Townsville. The MoU underpins ABEL Energy’s plans to produce and export green methanol from a new $1.7 billion manufacturing facility in Townsville. The partnership will also explore opportunities for establishing marine bunkering facilities at the Townsville Port, making Townsville a critical pitstop in the emerging green shipping network. ABEL Energy CEO Michael van Baarle said the Townsville project would seek to replicate the company’s flagship project, Bell Bay Powerfuels in Tasmania —and would produce 300,000 tonnes per annum of green methanol for the shipping and aviation sectors. “ABEL’s green methanol production process uses 100 per cent renewable power, fresh water and biomass residues. Our production site in Bell Bay – and the one planned for Townsville – is clean in operation with virtually zero greenhouse gas emissions, water emissions or waste discharge,” Mr van Baarle said. “Townsville poses an ideal location for our second green methanol production facility due to the availability of wind and solar energy, along with the large amount of readily available biomass in the forms of sugar cane waste, invasive pest species, prickly acacia and woodchip.” Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby said the proposed project presents benefits for the region that expand beyond ABEL’s direct investment, trade and employment opportunities. “This initiative aligns with Port of Townsville’s commitment to supporting sustainable energy projects and reinforces our position as a key facilitator of trade and economic growth,” Ms Crosby said. “The world’s shipping industry is facing enormous change as it seeks to decarbonise fleets globally to meet IMO’s long-term GHG reduction ambitions. “ABEL Energy’s project presents an exciting opportunity to provide green methanol marine bunkering facilities at the Port of Townsville, as well as exporting renewable energy to global markets.” The MoU outlines a collaborative effort between the Port of Townsville and ABEL Energy to undertake comprehensive investigations to assess the feasibility of the proposed project. Early investigation will include market assessment and analysis, identifying infrastructure and logistic requirements and working cooperatively to advance the project. ABEL Energy joins a growing list of proponents seeking to export renewable energy through the Port of Townsville, including Edify Energy, Origin Energy and Ark Energy Corporation.