The Port of Townsville is investing AUD 55 million (about USD 44.12 million) to upgrade Berth 4 and double its capacity. Queensland Ports Minister Mark Bailey said the investment would enable another two million tonnes of product to go through the port every year.
“This AUD 55 million investment will deliver economic benefits to Townsville and it demonstrates the need to keep vital assets such as this in public hands” , the minister said.
The Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke said the Berth 4 upgrade would create about 100 jobs during construction.
“It will provide jobs when jobs and job security are more important than ever,” she said.
“The investment will enable access for larger vessels and also deliver a 20 per cent increase in total tonnage throughput.”
A landside cargo handling area would also be built and the intermodal transfer of cargo for road and rail will be enhanced.
The upgrade means Berth 4 will be able to receive Panamax-size 4,500 twenty foot equivalent unit (TEU) vessels, enhancing the efficiency of container handling operations.
Port of Townsville chief executive Ranee Crosby said Townsville aimed to be an even more efficient and competitive container and general cargo port.
“The port is the major transport link for agriculture and resources commodities from northern Australia to Asia,” she said.
“This latest investment will help Townsville deliver frequent and direct services to international markets, providing our customers with reliable and efficient infrastructure to handle their cargo.”