QLD: From Queensland to the world

With the covid era now in the rear-view mirror, Queensland’s ports are pursuing expansion through new infrastructure and initiatives

TWENTY-twenty-four was a positive year overall, Port of Brisbane CEO Neil Stephens told DCN. The port last year saw strong trade outcomes and continued investment in property and infrastructure to support the port community. The year saw total trade tonnage through the port increase by approximately 2.7% to 32.3 million tonnes, while total TEU increased 8.6% to 1.65 million.

“It was a very positive story for many agricultural exports during 2024,” Mr Stephens said.

“Refrigerated meat volumes increased by 14.5% year-on-year while containerised sorghum and chickpea exports increased by 40% and 49% respectively following good growing conditions, along with the temporary removal of Indian tariffs on chickpea exports, which also supported an 80% increase of bulk chickpea exports during calendar year 2024.”

Mr Stephens revealed that the port in December recorded its highest monthly chickpea tonnages, with 375,000 tonnes (bulk and TEU) exported that month.

“The focus on chickpeas and a poor winter crop saw bulk wheat exports decline by 91% year on year and cotton exports decreased 31% after a bumper season in 2023,” he said.

Outside of agriculture, motor vehicle import volumes decreased by 6.3% year on year, normalising after a notable increase in 2023. Mr Stephens remarked that Brisbane continues to be a trusted partner for major southern and south-west Queensland renewable projects and is presently storing significant numbers of wind blade and turbine componentry for the Wambo Wind Farm projects, in Queensland’s Western Downs region, before it will be transported to site.

“Coal exports also saw a notable increase in 2024, with tonnages boosted over 70% year on year to 4.1 million tonnes after both the mines that supply the port increased their production,” Mr Stephens said.

Like most seaports, geopolitics has a direct influence on trade and for PBPL.

“The cessation of trade restrictions with China has allowed Australian exporters to resume trading with this key partner and agricultural exporters are planning for the resumption of Indian chickpea tariffs, currently scheduled in March,” Mr Stephens said.

In terms of infrastructure and initiatives, PBPL has been just as busy. Signposting future plans, Mr Stephens said, “While we’re investing to grow the port today, we’re also firmly focused on planning for the future to facilitate the trade requirements needed to support our region’s growing population.

“During 2024, we delivered five new customer facilities and one expansion for an existing customer,” Mr Stephens said.

“We are currently constructing a warehouse facility for new customer Bridgestone Australia within our Port West Industrial Estate, with construction approaching completion.”

Meanwhile, the proposed 25-year Port of Brisbane Channel Enhancement Project aims to ensure the shipping channel servicing the port improves efficiency, reduces vessel emissions, and caters for the future needs of the global shipping market, particularly in accommodating larger commercial vessels in the future, of up to 14,000 TEU.

“The project will include the potential deepening and widening of the existing navigational channels as well as minor re-alignments,” Mr Stephens said.

“It will require a single, comprehensive environmental impact statement to address state and federal government requirements prior to a final decision.

“As we look even further out towards the horizon, we’ve been progressing our PortBris 2060 work to develop a 35-year vision for the port, that will help guide investment and planning by PBPL and our many customers who invest in their operations here.

“While none of us have a crystal ball, this work has been underpinned by rigorous research and significant consultation with our customers, stakeholders and government, and we look forward to sharing the final vision later in the year.”

Decarbonisation and broader environmental initiatives remain a focus for PBPL, as the maritime industry continues efforts to lower emissions.

“In an important milestone for PBPL, we achieved net zero emissions (scope one and two, with offsets) during 2024 – something we are very proud of and ahead of our 2030 target,” Mr Stephens said.

“During FY24, almost a quarter of all PBPL energy was generated by onsite renewables (rooftop solar on our buildings) and we continue to invest both in rooftop solar as well as battery storage.

“Reducing our scope three emissions is also a big focus and during the year, we completed a successful trial of our Green Button technology with our partner, DHI Seaport, using the world-leading NCOS Online technology developed at the port.”

Green Button works by planning and optimising a vessel’s target speed within operational transit windows to reduce emissions of vessels transiting through the Port of Brisbane channel.

“Working with our shipping line customers Maersk and CMA CGM along with the regional harbour master and pilots, the tool delivered positive results, with some reductions reported of over 50%,” Mr Stephens said.

Record trade bolsters economy

Meanwhile, in Central Queensland, Gladstone Ports Corporation enjoyed a strong performance in 2024, delivering what it called a record return to Queensland by facilitating trade of 118.9 million tonnes.

“It was an especially significant milestone as we marked our 110th anniversary, a testament to our enduring legacy as one of Australia’s most significant ports – central to the Queensland trade and economy,” a GPC spokesperson told DCN.

The Port of Gladstone saw the lion’s share of this throughput, accounting for 118.3 million tonnes, with the Port of Rockhampton and Port of Bundaberg accounting for 0.2 million tonnes and 0.3 million tonnes, respectively.

During the 2023-24 financial year, the RG Tanna Coal Terminal (RGTCT) achieved the 1.5 billion tonnes of throughput mark since opening more than 40 years ago.

In the world of commodities, FY24 saw 11,930 TEU moved through the Port of Gladstone, while trade remained consistent and was primarily led by coal, LNG, alumina and associated products. In FY24, the coal industry accounted for 56% of GPC’s total throughput, with total exports of 65.96 million tonnes. Of the coal exported from GPC during the last financial year, 70% was metallurgical coal and 30% was thermal coal.

The spokesperson said GPC is working to harness the opportunities presented by new technologies and emerging markets.

“Our planning for the future includes the Gladstone Port Land Use Plan which is currently in the community and stakeholder consultation phase of the draft,” they said.

And on the topic of renewables, the spokesperson said, “GPC continues to explore all opportunities presented and is working with numerous proponents of renewable hydrogen and ammonia.”

Bulk volumes

Further up north, North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation posted a positive result in 2024, facilitating billions of dollars in trade and continuing to support regional Queensland communities. Each year, the NQBP ports of Mackay, Hay Point, Abbot Point and Weipa handle more than 150 million tonnes of cargo, with an annual trade value of $53 billion.

Together, they manage a total of 54% of Queensland’s international trade by volume, including 68% of the state’s coal exports.

“The Port of Mackay reached a significant milestone in 2024, celebrating 85 years of excellence and a proven track record of adapting to meet the changing needs of the region,” NQBP CEO Brendan Webb told DCN.

“This was backed up with stellar trade results with the port reaching 3.58 million tonnes of throughput in 2023-24, an increase from 3.51 million tonnes in the previous year and just shy of the record 3.59 million tonnes in 2021-22.”

In FY24 petroleum, NQBP’s top traded commodity, saw its highest-ever volume at 1.85 million tonnes, surpassing the 1.84-million-tonne mark of FY22.

While none of us have a crystal ball, this work has been underpinned by rigorous research and significant consultation … and we look forward to sharing the final vision later in the year.

Neil Stephens, Port of Brisbane

Mr Webb revealed agricultural commodities continued to trade strongly, with sugar (1.04 million tonnes), and grain (334,729 tonnes) among the top three trades.

To drive future growth, NQBP is investigating projects aimed at expanding and diversifying trade at the Port of Mackay, including expansion of Wharf 1 to enable containers and project cargo, and development of three laydown areas for large project cargo.

“These identified projects are part of NQBP’s long-term commitment to investing in infrastructure that will sustain Queensland’s economy for decades to come,” Mr Webb said.

Beyond trade and infrastructure, NQBP reinforced its commitment to environmental stewardship by achieving the highest possible outcome in the 2024 environmental management system audit for the fourth consecutive year, with zero non-conformances or required improvements.

“Despite geopolitical uncertainties, NQBP’s ports have remained resilient and adaptable, ensuring stable trade flows for Queensland’s key exports and imports,” Mr Webb said.

“The consistent, strong results are a testament to the dedication and hard work of NQBP’s people and port partners who keep trade flowing safely and efficiently.”

Breaking ground

Pacific Marine Base Bundaberg (PMBB), part of the Pacific Tug Group, has shared that it has been enlivened for the purpose of constructing a breakbulk shipping terminal (BBST) in the Port of Bundaberg.

The new BBST is intended to alleviate congestion in surrounding Queensland ports and improve outcomes for renewable energy proponents and other oversize overmass (OSOM) cargoes.

The first stage of the terminal’s development will see construction of a 97-metre wharf, as well as the ability to accommodate barges and small cargo vessels of up to 100 metres LOA.

PMBB said this first phase is at an advanced stage of development with trade expected to commence by mid-2025. The company anticipates the commercial wharf will bring opportunities such as cargo barging to support the Pacific Islands.

Stage two is presently under construction and is a simple continuation of stage one to a longer wharf with a deeper berth pocket. Upon completion, features of the terminal will include a 200-metre-long wharf, a berth pocket of 9.5 metres below LAT, 40,000 square metres of hard stand, ability to accommodate ships up to 190-metres LOA and extreme loading capacity which PMBB says is substantially higher than most Queensland ports.

Pacific Tug Group director Robert Peters said, “The importance of this project has been highlighted in recent times by planned renewable projects for the region that have components too large to come out of any neighbouring ports.”

These identified projects … will sustain Queensland’s economy for decades to come.

Brendan Webb, North Queensland Bulk Ports

PMBB said the BBST has the opportunity to become a key trading gateway for Queensland and increase the trade capacity of the underutilised Port of Bundaberg.

“The Port of Bundaberg has easy OSOM access to the Bruce Highway and beyond that opens it up directly to the region,” Mr Peters said.

“The Department of Transport and Main Roads has approved the route from the Port of Bundaberg to the Bruce Highway which paves the way for the importation of windfarm and hydrogen components as well as heavy machinery and other oversize overmass cargo through the Port of Bundaberg.”

CEO Chris Peters affirmed, “The Port of Bundaberg is the perfect location for a BBST given that it is situated between Brisbane and Gladstone, has generous amounts of laydown area, and allows access to major road networks with little impact on the general public and road network.”

PMBB expects wharf construction and dredging to be finished by the end of 2025.

This article appeared in the February | March 2025 edition of DCN Magazine