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Page last updated on 14-07-2021.

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Green methanol agreement could see Townsville join global green shipping network
Green methanol agreement could see Townsville join global green shipping network

Townsville stands to become a global leader in the production, export and supply of green methanol, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ABEL Energy and Port of Townsville. The MoU underpins ABEL Energy’s plans to produce and export green methanol from a new $1.7 billion manufacturing facility in Townsville. The partnership will also explore opportunities for establishing marine bunkering facilities at the Townsville Port, making Townsville a critical pitstop in the emerging green shipping network. ABEL Energy CEO Michael van Baarle said the Townsville project would seek to replicate the company’s flagship project, Bell Bay Powerfuels in Tasmania —and would produce 300,000 tonnes per annum of green methanol for the shipping and aviation sectors. “ABEL’s green methanol production process uses 100 per cent renewable power, fresh water and biomass residues. Our production site in Bell Bay – and the one planned for Townsville – is clean in operation with virtually zero greenhouse gas emissions, water emissions or waste discharge,” Mr van Baarle said. “Townsville poses an ideal location for our second green methanol production facility due to the availability of wind and solar energy, along with the large amount of readily available biomass in the forms of sugar cane waste, invasive pest species, prickly acacia and woodchip.” Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby said the proposed project presents benefits for the region that expand beyond ABEL’s direct investment, trade and employment opportunities. “This initiative aligns with Port of Townsville’s commitment to supporting sustainable energy projects and reinforces our position as a key facilitator of trade and economic growth,” Ms Crosby said. “The world’s shipping industry is facing enormous change as it seeks to decarbonise fleets globally to meet IMO’s long-term GHG reduction ambitions. “ABEL Energy’s project presents an exciting opportunity to provide green methanol marine bunkering facilities at the Port of Townsville, as well as exporting renewable energy to global markets.” The MoU outlines a collaborative effort between the Port of Townsville and ABEL Energy to undertake comprehensive investigations to assess the feasibility of the proposed project. Early investigation will include market assessment and analysis, identifying infrastructure and logistic requirements and working cooperatively to advance the project. ABEL Energy joins a growing list of proponents seeking to export renewable energy through the Port of Townsville, including Edify Energy, Origin Energy and Ark Energy Corporation.

Bumper cruise week to pour almost $1 million into Townsville business

Townsville’s cruise industry will notch up another major achievement this week, welcoming a record four cruise ships in eight days. The bumper week at the Port of Townsville will see more than 4,000 visiting passengers and crew directly inject $932,000 into local businesses during their days ashore. Port of Townsville Chief Executive Officer Ranee Crosby said the arrival of four cruise ships within such a short timeframe underscores Townsville's growing popularity as a port of call on cruise itineraries.   “This cruise season has been our biggest yet and they’re only growing from here with new record booking numbers expected each year for the next two years,” said Ms Crosby. “The significant passenger and crew presence over the next week will be a good taste of what’s to come, while bolstering local businesses and injecting a welcome dose of energy into the city's vibrant tourism sector.” “This will be a warm-up as we prepare to welcome Large Class cruise ships next Summer, following completion of our Channel Upgrade project. These larger vessels will hold up to 3,000 passengers and crew, demonstrating the upgrade’s role in significantly growing Townsville’s tourism sector.” Townsville Enterprise, Director of Visitor Economy and Marketing, Lisa Woolfe, said it was exciting to welcome four cruise ships into our port over eight days. “Cruises play a crucial role in our visitor economy, allowing us to diversify the tourism season and providing a welcome boost over the summer period for our tourism operators right across Townsville North Queensland.” “Welcoming more than 4,000 passengers presents a fantastic opportunity to inject almost $1 million into our local economy while showcasing our region to many first-time visitors. We know that cruise passengers have a high propensity to return to places they enjoy – so we always make sure that the welcome they receive is second to none and the experiences they participate in are the best on offer,” Mrs Woolfe said.  Passengers will include some Australians, as well as international visitors from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, New Zealand, United States, United Kingdom, Canada and more.   VESSELS VISITING IN TOWNSVILLE’S BUMPER CRUISE WEEK Viking Orion, 4 March 2023: 8am – 6pm Returning a second time this cruise season, this 228-metre Viking cruise vessel was built in Ancona, Italy in 2018. She will be sailing from Sydney to Benoa (Bali), Indonesia, carrying a maximum of 930 passengers and 465 crew. Seven Seas Mariner, 5 March 2023: 11am – 8pm Stopping in Townsville on its 38-night voyage from Sydney, the Seven Seas Mariner will sail through to Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Maldives, India, Oman and disembark in the United Arab Emirates. The 216-metre vessel will carry a total of 700 passengers and 465 crew. Silver Muse, 9 March 2023: 12:30am – 6:30pm Visting Townsville twice this cruise season, the Silversea Cruises vessel will host 596 guests and 411 crew on a 14-day voyage from Sydney to Benoa (Bali), Indonesia. Seven Seas Navigator, 12 March 2023: 8am – 6pm Hailed the “most luxurious ship at sea”, this ship features an acre of marble, and a $9 million dollar art collection featuring pieces by Picasso and Chagall. After embarking in Auckland, its 496 guests and 365 crew will complete their 18-night journey in Bali (Benoa), Indonesia.

Port of Townsville half-yearly trade update
Port of Townsville half-yearly trade update

The halfway mark in the financial year has delivered positive trade results for Port of Townsville.  To the end of Q2, throughput at the Townsville and Lucinda ports totalled 4.1 million tonnes, comprising 1.3 million tonnes imported and 2.8 million tonnes exported.  Some strong performers have delivered a particularly positive outlook for growers, miners and car retailers across the region.  Half-year Trade Highlights:  Motor vehicle imports performed 36.8 per cent higher than the same period last year, prompting the Port to raise its expectations for the full financial year to more than 18,500 vehicles arriving through Townsville.   Indonesia has become a top export market for raw sugar, increasing 67 per cent on the same period last year. On-budget exports to Japan and South Korea, and a 10-year high for raw sugar prices is further good news for growers across the Burdekin and Hinchinbrook regions.   More than 90,000 head of cattle were exported via Townsville to the end of Q2, more than doubling (+131.6%) the volume for the same period last year. With cattle prices stabilising and Indonesia lifting its ban on Australian cattle, Port of Townsville has raised its annual forecast to 140,000 head.   Relatively new commodities trading through the Port of Townsville have started to hit their stride with exports of phosphate rock 2.5 times higher than the same period last year, aquaculture feed surging 70 per cent year to date and exports of sorghum grain almost doubling on the same period last year.  Port of Townsville General Manager Customer, Operations and Safety Drew Penny said it’s typical for seasonal factors to produce a strong start to the year for some trades and a slower one for others.  “As north Australia’s largest multi-cargo port, Townsville is accustomed to seeing products such as sugar and molasses perform well at the start of the financial year, and drop off at the end of the season, making way for an uptick in other trades,” Mr Penny said.  “The diversity of North Queensland’s trade is what makes us so resilient as a port and as a region.  “It’s promising to see some of our newer commodities finding their footing as production ramps up on phosphate rock and bulk grain handler Sizer & Cogill begins to utilise their new depot at Mount McLaren to help local growers reach international markets via Townsville. We look forward to seeing new and emerging trades develop further as the Port continues to grow and new projects across North Australia come to fruition.”   Resources and Critical Minerals Minister and Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said the Port of Townsville was at the heart of Townsville’s economy.  “It’s exciting to see the diversity of commodities that go through our port,” he said.  “Phosphate is an incredibly important material and there is a huge demand for it throughout the world and North Queensland is ready to take advantage of that.”  More than $10 billion worth of goods are traded through the Townsville and Lucinda Ports each year. Trade through Townsville Port is expected to triple by 2050.

Port offers $50,000 for community-minded projects
Port offers $50,000 for community-minded projects

Applications for Port of Townsville’s 2024 Community Fund are now open, offering $50,000 to support not-for-profits, community groups, and school projects across North Queensland.   Now in its fourth year, the Community Fund has already backed 50 community projects with a combined value of more than $2.5 million.   Port of Townsville Chief Executive Officer Ranee Crosby said the Fund is committed to supporting local initiatives that align with the Port's strategic vision for improved sustainability in four key areas: community, people, planet and prosperity.  "We're proud to have funded a diverse range of projects through previous rounds of the Community Fund," said Ms Crosby.   "Last year’s projects ranged from the purchase of two Automated External Defibrillators for the Arcadian Surf Life Saving Club and support for five new Story Dogs teams to visit local schools, to the purchase of a coffee cart to enable Happy Vibes Café to train and employ locals with disabilities.”  Ms Crosby encouraged community groups from across the Port’s North Queensland catchment area to apply.   "While our Port is based in Townsville, we recognise that our operations impact communities in Hinchinbrook, the Burdekin, Charters Towers, and the North West. We are eager to ensure that the Community Fund benefits these regions as well.”   Director of Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts Kate O’Hara said the Port's Community Fund supported the development of two Townsville-based First Nations artists in 2023.  "The Port's Community Fund helped us support the mentorship of two local First Nations artists to participate in a mentorship program with Gail Mabo, create new artwork and represent Townsville artists at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.”   “The funding has not only helped us engage First Nations artists in meaningful work where they can safely express themselves, but also increased their profile among other galleries and museums, assisting them with sales and future opportunities,” said Ms O’Hara.   Applications to the Port of Townsville’s 2024 Community Fund are open until 4 March 2024.  

Port of Townsville Closed. Condition RED now in effect.

Port of Townsville has moved to Condition RED and is preparing for official closure at 10am today in preparation for Tropical Cyclone Kirrily, expected to make landfall this evening. The Port is working to: Finalise evacuation of Port Staff and Port Users and secure the Port for closure at 1000. Monitor TC Kirrily and determine a time for port re-entry when conditions have cleared. Maintain close contact with the Bureau of Meteorology, Maritime Safety Queensland and Port Users in order to reopen the Port to landside operations and commercial shipping when it is safe to do so. Port of Townsville General Manager Customer, Operations and Safety, Drew Penny said, under current BOM forecasts, Port operational staff are expecting to return to the Port on Friday mid-morning. “Re-entry to the port will, of course, be determined by how the weather system unfolds overnight and human safety will be the primary consideration in getting the Port back up and running,” said Mr Penny. “Once we have determined it is safe to do so, we expect a staged reopening of landside operations, followed by commercial shipping, under the direction of Maritime Safety Queensland. “Throughout this week, our cyclone preparations have flowed very smoothly. The Port team, our service providers and customers have done an excellent job to ensure we are well-placed to endure the heavy rains and strong winds expected.”