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Page last updated on 14-07-2021.
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Port of Townsville launches $50,000 Community Fund
The Port of Townsville is giving community groups, not-for-profits and schools across North Queensland the opportunity to share in $50,000 to assist with community minded projects and initiatives. Now in its fifth year, the Port’s annual Community Fund has supported 55 projects across the region with a combined value of more than $2.5 million. Port of Townsville Chief Executive Officer Ranee Crosby said the Community Fund aims to support a range of local initiatives that align with the Port’s key sustainability pillars and values. “We’re proud to support the North Queensland communities who supports us, and since we first launched the fund in 2021, we’ve provided assistance to a huge variety of causes contributing to the liveability of our region and the wellbeing of our communities,” Ms Crosby said. “Last year we received a record number of applications, with 57 groups applying, of which we were able to support 10 important initiatives, with projects supporting environmental stewardship and community togetherness featuring prominently.” Ms Crosby said while the Port is based in Townsville, our operations extend to Hinchinbrook, the Burdekin and the North West. “We invite groups from any of these communities to apply if they have a project which could benefit from monetary or in-kind support.” Community Fund 2024 recipient Belgian Gardens State School used their funding to upgrade equipment for their Reef Guardian program. Belgian Gardens State School STEM coordinator Brett Murphy said the funding has had a positive impact on water quality and fish health. “The equipment upgrades have been amazing and more efficient,” Mr Murphy said. Applications to the Port’s 2025 Community Fund are open until Monday 14 April 2025. For more information and to apply go to Community Fund | Port of Townsville.
Townsville Port celebrates Channel Upgrade completion with Queen Elizabeth’s arrival
Port of Townsville is celebrating the completion of its $251 million Channel Upgrade project with the arrival of Cunard’s luxury cruise ship Queen Elizabeth on Tuesday, 14 January 2025. The upgrade involved Townsville’s shipping channels being widened from 92m to 180m at the inshore end, allowing larger vessels up to 300m in length to safely access the port, instead of bypassing Townsville. Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby said the channel widening had been pivotal in attracting larger cruise vessels to Townsville. “This project will deliver the largest cruise ships Townsville has seen to date and will be carrying thousands of passengers and crew, which means significant economic injections into our local economy and local businesses” Ms Crosby said. “This milestone heralds a new era of maritime tourism for the region, promising to boost the local economy and offer visitors an unparalleled experience to explore our region right throughout the year.” Director for Cunard Australia and New Zealand Katrina McAlpine said they were thrilled guests travelling on Queen Elizabeth would be able to access the Port of Townsville for the first time. “We are excited that Queen Elizabeth is the first cruise ship of her size to berth at Townsville Port, bringing our guests right to the city’s doorstep,” Ms McAlpine said. “It’s a magnificent setting, offering our guests unparalleled convenience for exploring all that Townsville and its surrounds have to offer.” Hall Contracting CEO & Director Cameron Hall said his company was proud to have delivered such a significant project for the Townsville region. “As an Australian contractor, Hall Contracting is proud to have overcome stiff competition from European-based multinational dredging companies to deliver the Port of Townsville Channel Upgrade project in our home state, creating approximately 140 local jobs and boosting the Queensland economy,” Mr Hall said. “In addition to dredging 3.4 million cubic metres of material from the Platypus Channel and Sea Channel, our marine civil division also built a 2.2km rock wall as part of the Channel Upgrade to facilitate expansion of the Port. "We will leave behind an enduring legacy in Townsville, having delivered more than 30,000 hours of training to local workers and provided hands-on industry experience and learning opportunities to a range of trainees, apprentices and university students.” Ms Crosby said the $251 million Channel Upgrade project was the first stage of a $1.6 billion Port Expansion Plan, which includes the creation of up to six new berths, 150 hectares of land reclamation and channel widening and deepening. “North Queensland is home to some of the most significant emerging opportunities that will fuel economic growth for decades to come, spanning critical minerals, mining and processing, renewable energy transmission and generation and advanced manufacturing,” Ms Crosby said. “Through continued expansion, our Port will play a critical role in supporting the North’s pipeline of major projects.”
New towage services contractor welcomed
Port of Townsville and Ports North are pleased to announce Engage Marine has been awarded a new contract to supply towage services to ports in Townsville, Lucinda, Cairns and Mourilyan. Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby said the Port was pleased to welcome new contractor Engage Marine’s services to the Port after a comprehensive tender process. Ms Crosby said the Port recognises and acknowledges the services provided by the Port’s current towage service provider. “I’d like to thank our current towage service provider Smit Lamnalco Towage Australia, including their crew for their dedicated years of service,” Ms Crosby said. “Towage services are crucial to a Port operating safely and efficiently and we look forward to working with Engage Marine.” Ports North CEO Richard Stevenson said Ports North welcomed the completion of the thorough tender process and welcomes Engage Marine as the towage provider for their ports of Cairns and Mourilyan. Mr Stevenson also acknowledged their current towage provider. “Svitzer Australia have been a valuable partner in the ports of Cairns and Mourilyan and I would like to thank and acknowledge their staff and crew for their years of dedication in providing a critical port service to Ports North and our customers,” Mr Stevenson said. “We now look forward to working with Engage Marine noting the important role towage plays in the safe and efficient operation of our ports.” Engage Marine Chief Executive Officer Mark Malone said that they are proud to be selected to provide the towage services across the four ports and are committed to working closely with Port of Townsville and Ports North to ensure a smooth transition into operation. “We have successfully implemented numerous new operations in recent years, transitioning from the incumbent operator, safely, efficiently and on-time with no disruption to operations. We worked closely with the relevant Port Authorities and stakeholders to deliver on time commencement, improved service offering and operational efficiencies,” Mr Malone said. “We are committed to investing in and supporting the local communities in which we operate. We will work closely with the local port and community stakeholders when commencing operations to identify opportunities to maximise the use of local content. “We will be establishing offices and shore side support in both Townsville and Cairns, and we are committed to recruiting staff and crew that live locally to each of the ports.” The fleet that Engage Marine will put in place across the ports of Townsville, Lucinda, Cairns and Mourilyan is an upgrade in capability to the existing assets currently servicing the Ports.
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