OPINION: Steering a new course in our understanding of ports

PORTS have long served as gateways for trade and maritime activity, anchoring Australia’s critical infrastructure. They handle 99% of Australia’s international trade by volume, amounting to approximately $650 billion worth of goods annually.

But in the face of climate change, social inequities and urban pressures, ports are evolving beyond logistics to multi-functional spaces that deliver environmental, social and economic value. From seagrass restoration to community health and initiatives, ports now sit at the nexus of biodiversity, culture, and commerce.

Biodiversity and carbon sequestration

Beneath the ocean’s surface, ports can support carbon sequestration and biodiversity through seagrass restoration. Despite covering just 0.2 per cent of the ocean floor, seagrass can capture carbon from the atmosphere up to 35 times faster than tropical forests. In addition, seagrass can buffer wave energy, helping to reduce coastal erosion.

Seagrass restoration projects are already underway. In the Gulf St Vincent in Adelaide’s north, the University of Adelaide and the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) are looking to restore 20 hectares of seagrass by dropping 100,000 biodegradable hessian sandbags onto the seafloor over winter, allowing wire weed seagrass seedlings to naturally attach. Similarly, Westport in Western Australia received funding to support the expansion of the ‘Seeds for Snapper’ initiative in Cockburn Sound to restore vital seagrass meadows by collecting and distributing millions of seeds. Ports can replicate similar initiatives, boosting marine life while capturing carbon.

Health, public safety, and social services

As gateways for international seafarers and visitors, ports are well placed to offer health services to transient and underserved populations. They can also serve as sites for emergency response and public safety, offering temporary refuge during natural disasters or pandemics, as seen during COVID-19 when cruise terminals were repurposed as health checkpoints.

But it’s more than just health and safety. In 2024, logistics provider DP World transformed a decommissioned shipping container into a solar-powered community library in Viana, Angola — an area with limited access to educational resources. The library provides local residents, especially children, with access to over 3,000 books in multiple languages, creating a vibrant hub for learning and literacy.

Housing and disaster recovery

Shipping containers are gaining popularity as cost-effective, sustainable alternatives to traditional housing. Similarly, these containers are also being converted into transitional shelters for people experiencing homelessness. In Vancouver and Melbourne, pilot programs have shown that container housing is effective for crisis accommodation when paired with wraparound social services. Locating these shelters in underutilised port spaces could address urgent housing needs while maintaining operational flexibility. Similarly, a community initiative in Florida provided logistics and container storage services to assist homeless individuals transitioning into permanent housing. Crowley Maritime Corp. arranged for shipping containers to store and transport furniture donated by hotels, distributing beds, bedding, and other household goods to formerly homeless individuals with the help of port facilities.

This concept also works as a temporary housing solution for disaster recovery. Following the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria in February 2023, the Turkish port community played a vital role in humanitarian relief efforts. Maersk donated 100 containers which were rapidly transformed into insulated one-room shelters. Port authorities facilitated the delivery of these containers to earthquake-hit regions to provide temporary housing units for displaced families. These examples show how ports and maritime operators can leverage infrastructure and supply chains to deliver meaningful social impact.

Creating cultural hubs and preserving Indigenous culture

Coastal zones hold deep Indigenous cultural significance, and consultation and partnership with local communities is key for preserving and celebrating Indigenous cultures. Pilbara Ports Authority has partnered with the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation to support Indigenous land and sea management efforts on the Burrup Peninsula. This has led to a $200,000 commitment over two years to fund the construction of the Murujuga Ranger Shed, a facility co-designed with Traditional Owners that will serve as a base for environmental stewardship activities. In addition to infrastructure, Pilbara Ports supports ranger-led initiatives such as mangrove rehabilitation and offers maritime training.

In Queensland, Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) has strengthened outcomes for Indigenous communities through a formal Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) with the Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng, and Taribelang Bunda nations. The ILUA enables co-management of port land and protection of cultural heritage, while GPC supports educational bursaries, university scholarships, and local events that promote cultural recognition and reconciliation. Ports can also help celebrate and preserve Indigenous culture by incorporating Indigenous design, artwork, and storytelling spaces into their master plans.

A powerful shift

These initiatives reveal the untapped potential of port precincts, with port authorities often central to their success. Once defined by their economic utility, ports are now becoming multi-functional spaces at the intersection of marine, urban, and cultural systems.

But this shift requires more than good intentions. Repurposing port land for social or ecological use requires genuine engagement, local knowledge, and alignment with planning and regulatory frameworks. Looking ahead, embedding these broader roles into a port’s core purpose can provide a clear roadmap — transforming ports into inclusive, climate-resilient, and culturally grounded spaces that serve both people and planet.

Nicole Boyd is the Technical Director – Sustainability at Frazer-Nash Consultancy. Michael Sanders is Industry Lead Maritime – Transport NSW at KBR