Kimberley Ports Authority releases 50 year masterplan

KIMBERLEY Ports Authority (KPA) has released a comprehensive 50‑year masterplan outlining how the ports of Broome, Derby, Wyndham and Yampi Sound will evolve to meet future trade, defence, tourism and community needs across the Kimberley region.

The long‑term strategy maps development pathways through short‑, medium‑ and long‑term horizons to 2076, identifying infrastructure triggers, fleet forecasts, trade growth scenarios and environmental pressures that will shape the region’s maritime future.

The plan was developed over 18 months and incorporates extensive stakeholder engagement, government input and detailed trade and fleet modelling.

KPA expects significant increases in trade volumes across the region:

It predicts at Broome, trade could rise from ~320,000 tonnes per annum to 1.2 million tonnes (base case) or 2.9 million tonnes (high case) by 2076, driven by mineral sands, offshore energy and cruise growth. Cruise calls could reach 500 per year.

At Derby short‑term trade may rise fourfold due to Koolan Island decommissioning and Cockatoo Island redevelopment, before transitioning to a long‑term aquaculture‑focused trade profile.

Wyndham’s trade may increase from ~200,000 tonnes to 2.1 million tonnes (base case) or 5 million tonnes (high case), supported by rare earths, hydrogen and agricultural exports. Cruise visits could more than triple.

At Yampi Sound short‑term iron‑ore transhipment could reach 3 million tonnes, with long‑term potential shifting toward sustainable cruise tourism.

The masterplan identifies several critical factors influencing future port development:

First Point of Entry (FPOE) status for Broome and Wyndham is expected to be a major catalyst for international container trade, reducing supply chain costs and enabling direct foreign cruise arrivals.

Defence and border protection activity is forecast to increase, with Broome, Derby and Wyndham likely to support patrol vessels, surveillance operations and maritime security infrastructure.

Environmental and climate pressures—including sea‑level rise, decarbonisation and sustainability requirements—will require electrification of port operations, resilient infrastructure and protection of conservation areas.

Technological change, including AI‑driven maintenance, digitalised supply chains, autonomous shipping and IoT integration, is expected to reshape port operations over the long term.

Broome’s masterplan focuses on separating public and port traffic, expanding secure port areas, improving landside logistics, and planning future berth capacity.

The floating KMSB terminal adds 165 metres of berth line, with potential for further berth development if trade requires.

Derby’s plan retains the full berth line for port use, with potential decommissioning of redundant structures and modifications to fuel transfer systems to reduce maintenance costs.

The port will continue supporting aquaculture, barge operations and community access, with resilience planning for emergency supply chains.

Wyndham’s plan includes new suspended deepwater berths, expanded border services infrastructure, improved road connectivity, new barge ramp facilities, and future dry‑bulk and hydrogen handling capability. Long‑term development would replace the existing wharf with a continuous 4–5 berth structure.

At Yampi Sound (Koolan and Cockatoo Islands) KPA will continue its regulatory role, overseeing iron‑ore transhipment in the short term and facilitating a transition toward tourism‑based commercial activity once mining ceases. The plan includes new aids to navigation and barge bunkering services.

KPA Chair Reece Waldock and CEO Luke Westlake said the masterplan provides a unified, long‑term strategy to “responsibly grow and connect the Kimberley” and position the region’s ports as progressive partners in trade, tourism and community development.