Westport has entered development, with road, rail and marine planning advancing for WA’s new Kwinana container port ahead of a targeted 2032 completion.
WESTERN Australia’s new container port at Kwinana, south of Perth, has moved from business case to development, aiming for completion by 2032.
Westport is the Western Australian Government’s long-term infrastructure solution for container trade — a new container port in Kwinana and the road and rail freight network that will connect it.
As Western Australia’s population and container volumes continue to grow, Fremantle Port is forecast to reach its practical capacity in the late 2030s without major investment — which would only provide temporary additional capacity. The Westport program will enable a smooth transition of container trade to a scalable gateway, while improving freight efficiency and long-term supply chain resilience.
Westport is not a single asset. It is being designed as a connected system, bringing together marine infrastructure, a dedicated landside freight connection and a contemporary commercial and governance framework for freight transport to support container trade for the next century.
Westport is in the definition stage, having moved beyond business case development into the technical work that underpins delivery.
This stage focuses on resolving key risks and uncertainties, optimising designs, securing environmental approvals, refining costs, planning construction sequencing, planning procurement and engaging with industry ahead of final investment decisions.
Three primary designers and technical advisory consultancies across marine, road and rail, each at different stages of completion with the final contract expected to be awarded in the first half of 2026.
Westport managing director Patrick Seares said the definition work is about reducing uncertainty before construction decisions are made.
“This is the technical work that derisks delivery and give Government a tested and accurate cost estimation before construction,” Mr Seares said. “It ensures the port is designed to be buildable, approvable and efficient over its full life, with safety, sustainability and value for money embedded from the outset.”
Road infrastructure is the leading edge of Westport, reflecting the need for enabling infrastructure to be in place ahead of port construction.
Definition for the Anketell Road Upgrade is complete by the Westport Road IPT (led by GHD and BGE) and will progress to market pending an investment decision. The upgrade forms part of the future Anketell-Thomas Road Freight Corridor and will provide a high capacity freight connection into Kwinana, supporting long term freight movements associated with the new port.
While Fremantle Port’s pilot vessel Paddy Troy was the guinea pig for marine services firm Franmarine’s new hull cleaning technology, it has now put its cutting-edge biofouling management to work on bigger prey — the Royal Navy submarine HMS Anson.
The submarine on its historic visit to HMAS Stirling was the first ever submarine maintenance period (SMP) conducted on a Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine in Australia.
Franmarine deployed its mobile underwater sustainment system to carry out in-water cleaning with capture and subsea inspection services, as an alternative to dry-docking whilst upholding the highest levels of environmental protection.
In a LinkedIn post Franmarine said it marked another tangible step towards its objective of supporting Submarine Rotational Force — West (SRF-West) and the broader AUKUS trilateral Defence industrial base with integrated biofouling management and underwater engineering capability.
“To deliver biofouling management services on a Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine, in Australian waters, is a defining moment for Franmarine and for WA’s defence industry. It demonstrates that local innovative capability, driven by Australia’s marine biosecurity standards and built through years of investment, has a critical role to play in AUKUS,” the post said.
A media release from the state government said Franmarine was one of more than a dozen West Australian businesses supporting the AUKUS partnership delivering essential maintenance and operational services to visiting international submarines.
In an Australian first, HMS Anson, one of the United Kingdom's most advanced Astute‑class submarines, visited HMAS Stirling last month for a maintenance period.
“This milestone marks a significant step in the AUKUS optimal pathway, as WA prepares to support Submarine Rotational Force — West, from 2027,” the release said.
The visit provided at least 12 SMEs with a rare opportunity to undertake maintenance work on a nuclear-powered submarine, helping to build the specialised skills required for Australia's future fleet. Thirty-five locally made parts were used to keep the submarine operating safely — a clear sign of how rapidly WA's industry is becoming a key player in the nation's future submarine program.
Westport onboarded its marine and ports technical advisor consortia (led by Worley and Arcadis) in early 2026, marking a major step into optimisation and reference design.
The current focus is on verifying early stage designs for the container port, critically reviewing earlier integrated supply chain design work, testing assumptions and ensuring optimised footprints support robust environmental approvals.
As definition advances, the focus will shift to optimising the port layout and marine infrastructure, refining construction planning and developing reference designs to a level that supports reliable cost estimates, approvals and future investment decisions.
Rail definition to complete core design capability
Procurement is nearing completion for a specialist rail Integrated Planning Team contract to be awarded in the first half of 2026, completing Westport’s core definition capability across all three streams.
The rail scope includes detailed planning for duplication and removal of level crossings to improve network efficiency and determining the rail capacity required to support future container volumes connecting Kwinana to the broader freight network.
Early modelling indicates rail has the potential to carry a substantial share of future container movements, improving network resilience and reducing pressure on the road system.
Redevelopment of the ageing Kwinana Bulk Terminal has now been split from the main container terminal project to provide the necessary acceleration required to deliver this critical asset for the State's economy by 2032.
Located within the future Port Precinct, Kwinana Bulk Terminal is Western Australia’s only clinker import facility and a critical input to the State’s construction supply chain.
The replacement terminal is being jointly planned, with Fremantle Ports leading the landside and topside works and Westport delivering the marine infrastructure.
Last month, Westport opened expressions of interest for experienced container terminal operators to join its advisory group, providing input into draft terminal layouts and design decisions. Further industry engagement across the program is expected as the technical advisor's work gathers pace.
"Engaging operators, suppliers and innovators early is how we make sure the port is fit for purpose from day one and future-proofed for the next century of trade," Mr Seares said. "At this scale, we also have a genuine platform to accelerate the shift to sustainable construction practice and lower carbon materials across the WA market."
This continues Westport's approach of involving industry and operators early, well ahead of the formal procurement process in the coming years.
This continues Westport’s approach of involving industry and potential operators early, well ahead of the formal procurement process in the coming years.”
Engaging operators, suppliers and innovators early is how we make sure the port is fit for purpose from day one and future-proofed for the next century of trade
Patrick Seares, managing director Westport
Over the past year, Westport engaged more than 130 industry stakeholders and identified 87 material suppliers working on low carbon materials and low emission equipment. From 2026, the most promising solutions will move into field demonstrations with select industry partners before procurement decisions are made.
Fremantle remains the state’s primary container port and the government is investing in wharf strengthening to handle heavier loads and larger vessels. With the transition to Westport still years away, Fremantle must continue to operate at full capacity.
To do that the state government has funded upgrades designed to extend the life of existing berths, support larger cranes and heavier container stacks and improve safety and operational efficiency.