TOWNSVILLE construction company Formset has been awarded a $10m contract to build a container terminal as part Townsville Port’s $30m Crane and Cargo Terminal project at Berth 4.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the Townsville business was expected to employ more than 40 people during construction.

“With the volume of freight moving across Queensland expected to grow more than 20% over the next decade, it’s critical we invest in port infrastructure which will accommodate this freight boom,” Ms Trad said.

“Construction of the new container terminal behind Berth 4 will provide a substantial boost to northern Australia’s largest cargo port.”

Transport minister Mark Bailey said the $30m project also added to major capacity-expanding projects at the port, including the $48m intermodal facility, the $193m port channel upgrade and the completion of the $40m Berth 4 upgrade.

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“Queensland’s economy is stronger when we have a reliable supply of minerals for export. That is why our government is investing in a $48m expansion of the Townsville Port’s intermodal facility to improve the reliability of Australia’s largest exporter of zinc, copper, lead and fertiliser,” Mr Bailey said.

Queensland’s north west mineral province is reported to contain about 75% of the state’s base metal and minerals, including copper, lead, zinc, silver, gold and phosphate deposits.

“Building the new intermodal facility alongside a new container terminal port will make Townsville more attractive for exporters,” Mr Bailey said.

Formset managing director, Brent Zander said the construction of the Berth 4 Cargo Terminal Area was expected to take up to 36 weeks to complete.

 “We’ve been working with the port for a long time, but this is the biggest project we have undertaken,”Mr Zander said.

“The Berth 4 Cargo Terminal Area project reaffirms our commitment to quality and expertise in commercial and industrial environments.”