AUSTRALIAN maritime engineering company Birdon has signed a 20-year contract with Douglas Shire Council to provide a new and comprehensive ferry service for the Daintree River crossing in Far North Queensland.
Under the contract announced on 29 October, Birdon will design, build, operate and maintain a cable-drawn, four-lane ferry for the river crossing. The project will deliver a safer, faster, and more efficient ferry service for residents, visitors, and tourism operators, improving connectivity in the region and supporting the local economy.
The four-lane ferry will replace the current three-lane vessel, which is nearing the end of its service life. The new 49-metre-long, 16-metre-wide design will carry 36 vehicles, nine more than the current vessel.
Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said the contract signing marked a major milestone in the upgrade of the Daintree River crossing. “This is a huge step forward for our community. We’re excited to see Birdon’s expertise brought to the Daintree River,” Mayor Scomazzon said.
Birdon will take over operations of the current ferry service from 1 July 2026, with the new ferry expected to enter service at the end of 2027.
Birdon has designed, built, operated, and maintained cable ferries for over two decades and the Daintree Ferry will be the seventh cable-drawn ferry to be built by Birdon at its Port Macquarie shipyard in regional NSW. The company operates internationally with local authority, defence and commercial customers, including the Australian and US navies.