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Posted by Allen Newton
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14 August, 2025
CONTAINER freight on rail to the Port of Fremantle has reached record levels.
Container freight on rail made up 23.5% of all freight transported through Fremantle Port during 2024-25, exceeding the state government’s 20% target.
This equates to 208,699 TEUs transported by rail, the highest annual amount on record since the Carpenter Labor Government introduced a container rail subsidy of $30 per TEU in 2007 to help reduce truck volumes and congestion on metropolitan roads.
To further encourage rail freight transport, the subsidy was increased to $50 per TEU in 2018 as part of an election commitment, and the rail mode target set at the current 20%.
The subsidy is paid for all loaded containers that move between the North Quay Rail Terminal (NQRT) at Fremantle Port and intermodal terminals at Forrestfield, Kwinana, Rockingham and Kenwick. Also eligible for the subsidy are containers filled with hay that are received by rail at NQRT for international export.
A state government media release said that as a result of the subsidy, around 141,000 one-way truck movements are estimated to have been removed from roads during 2024-25, easing pressure on road networks and improving efficiency, sustainability and road safety.
“The opening in August last year of the new $25 million intermodal terminal at Kenwick, supported by the State Government, the Commonwealth Government and Arc Infrastructure, has also contributed to the significant rise in rail volumes, with an annual throughput capacity of 200,000 TEUs,” the release said.
Minister assisting the transport minister, Jessica Stojkovski said the subsidy was encouraging the switch from road to rail.
“The safe and efficient movement of freight is essential to WA's economic growth which is why our government is committed to investing in rail infrastructure and incentivising its use.
"Our support has included the new intermodal terminal at Kenwick, significantly boosting our supply chain efficiency and contributing to a drop in truck movements on metropolitan roads."
