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Page last updated on 14-07-2021.
News
Phosphate rock exports resume via Port of Townsville
More than 25,000 tonnes of phosphate rock has been exported to New Zealand via the Port of Townsville, following the PRL Group’s resumption of the North West Queensland’s Admore Phosphate Mine. The phosphate rock was transported in containers from the mine to Mount Isa by road, then onto rail to the Port for storage, before being moved via conveyor belt and shiploader into the vessel, leaving the Port on Wednesday 26 November 2025. Port of Townsville General Manager Business Development Drew Penny said the recommencement of export operations would have many positive impacts for the region and again demonstrates the importance of the Mount Isa to Townsville supply chain has in supporting the economy. “Whilst there was a temporary pause to phosphate rock exports from Townsville earlier this year, I must commend PRL Group for their hard work since taking over the Ardmore Mine to be able to begin exporting again so soon,” Mr Penny said. He said capabilities on the Port’s Berth 8, managed by Glencore, included a shiploader, that could efficiently and quickly load cargo into vessels. Mr Penny thanked PRL Group and Glencore for working with the Port to ensure a smooth process to begin the export operations again. PRL Group Chief Executive Officer Nick Gan said this is an incredible achievement, delivering their first shipment 72 days since taking over the Ardmore operation. “I would like to recognise the efforts of the Ardmore team and all of our partners who have been working with us to achieve this result, including the Port of Townsville, Aurizon, Northern Stevedoring Services (NSS), Glencore, Qube and the Queensland State Government,” he said. MITEZ Chief Executive Officer Maria James said they were delighted to see PRL's first shipment from Port of Townsville since the completion of their acquisition of the Ardmore phosphate mine in September this year. “Much work has been done since mine remobilisation and the necessary approvals to restart operations,” Ms James said. “What a brilliant outcome that PRL have developed pit to port operations in such a short time frame. Cost effective and efficient freight solutions are required for the export of phosphate and PRL's considered and measured approach is commendable. “MITEZ is proud to have PRL as a member, their innovative and tenacious approach to getting the mine up and running together with their commitment to the local community of Dajarra and the North West, and the flow on effects for the entire logistic MITEZ corridor supply chain is welcome and timely. “We look forward to working with them and wish them every success.” Glencore’s Townsville Manager for Refinery and Port Operations, Paul Taylor, said this was another example of the integrated Mount Isa to Townsville industrial supply chain at work. “Glencore’s Berth 8 shiploader already handles our own and third-party products, including metal concentrates and fertiliser, bound for international markets. Working with PRL Group is a natural extension of our operations that connect the mineral wealth of the north-west region to global customers,” he said.
Port of Townsville and Jet Zero explore Sustainable Aviation Fuel opportunities
The Port of Townsville and Jet Zero have established a partnership via a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to investigate storage and associated infrastructure needs to support the importing and exporting of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) products. As part of the MOU, an Investigation Committee will be established with representatives from both organisations, who will meet to discuss and develop options. The committee will also consider the feasibility of developing a new biofuel storage and blending infrastructure on Port land. Port of Townsville General Manager Business Development Drew Penny said the signing of the MOU was the first step of a valuable partnership. “We’re excited to collaborate with innovative organisations like Jet Zero to identify opportunities and deliver tailored solutions that strengthen their import and export operations,” Mr Penny said. “As Jet Zero progresses their Townsville-based Project Ulysses, it was only a natural fit for both our organisations to work together to consider how SAF products can be imported and exported and stored.” “It also signifies an important step forward for the future of the SAF industry in Townsville and aligns with the Port’s value to deliver sustainable prosperity.” Jet Zero’s Project Ulysses aims to produce both SAF and renewable diesel to meet growing the demand for biofuels within both the aviation and marine sectors. “We are delighted to partner with the Port of Townsville to explore infrastructure solutions that will enable low-carbon liquid fuels to move efficiently through the region,” Jet Zero Chief Executive Officer Ed Mason said. “This partnership highlights Townsville’s strategic importance in developing Australia’s sustainable fuel supply chains.” As part of the MOU, both parties will work together to assess the required infrastructure, technical and economic feasibility, and potential pathways to development.
Port of Townsville welcomes Carnival Luminosa
Port of Townsville welcomed the maiden visit of Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Luminosa on Tuesday, 11 November, with the vessel homeporting in Brisbane for the summer season. This summer will mark Carnival Luminosa’s fourth consecutive season sailing from Queensland, with 70,000 guests expected to travel across 25 voyages throughout the season. More than 2000 passengers and crew arriving to Townsville aboard the 294-metre cruise ship, with the majority of guests coming from Korea, Japan, and China. Port of Townville General Manager Business Development Drew Penny said Carnival Luminosa’s arrival from Brisbane complements the region’s growing appeal as a must cruise destination and opens new opportunities for Northern Queensland itineraries. “This maiden call reflects the growing demand for cruise ships in Queensland’s waters and creates opportunities for more frequent visits to northern ports like the Port of Townsville,” Mr Penny said. “It’s an exciting time for our city as we continue to welcome more cruise ships and showcase everything North Queensland has to offer,” he said. Australia’s ties with Japan, China, and Korea are crucial for cruise tourism as these nations represent major visitor markets and key partners in the tourism industry, and strengthening these relationships helps position Townsville as a globally connected regional city. Townsville Enterprise Director of Visitor Economy and Marketing Lisa Woolfe said even with this being a last-minute schedule change, our community has rallied together to deliver another outstanding welcome. “Townsville always turns it on for its cruise visitors, whether it be 12 months or hours' notice,” Ms Woolfe said. “We’ve got our cruise volunteers welcoming visitors as they disembark the ship, market stalls and entertainment set-up in the terminal, and buses transferring passengers to the Strand. “Today’s arrival offers a fantastic boost for local businesses with an estimated economic value of half a million dollars flowing through our city in just one day. “This is a maiden voyage and an opportunity to showcase just how Townsville turns it on for its visitors. “Today’s arrival is a testament to the port expansion, which has allowed large ships into Townsville.” This will be Townsville’s busiest cruise season yet with 25 cruise ships from 13 cruise lines set to visit our city between July 2025 and April 2026. Cruise provides a major boost to the local economy with each passenger spending about $200 a day exploring the region.
Port of Townsville welcomes new fortnightly shipping service
The Port of Townsville is continuing to support its customers and meet the region’s fast-growing import and export demands, welcoming a new fortnightly shipping service by ANL, linking North Queensland to China. The new service, APR2, will be transporting a variety of goods including machinery, chemicals, tyres, furniture and white goods. The route includes travelling southbound from Asia to Australia, before leaving to travel north from Australia, back to Asia. The ARP2 service provides direct coastal shipping options from southern ports, significantly reducing wait times for customers and improving driver safety by redirecting freight off the Bruce Highway and on to the ‘Blue’ highway. Port of Townsville General Manager Business Development Drew Penny said the Port was pleased to welcome ANL’s new shipping service to North Queensland. “It’s promising to see new services, such as APR2, come on board to our Port, especially with the region experiencing growth in a number of sectors,” Mr Penny said. “As Northern Australia’s largest multi-cargo port we’re always looking for opportunities to work with new companies, especially those that can assist us with servicing the ever-evolving needs of our customers. “We may be a regional city, but we service the needs of global importers and exporters, now more than ever we need to ensure we are able support that demand, with services such as APR2.” With the addition of ANL’s new fortnightly service, the company will now offer weekly services to and from Townsville and North/Southeast Asia. This development also enables North Queensland businesses to access more frequent shipping direct to China. ANL & CMA CGM Group Agencies Managing Director Oceania Cluster Shane Walden said the APR2 service is tailored for regional supply chains that depend on efficient and timely logistics. "With APR2, we’re responding directly to what our customers need—more frequent sailings, stronger China and Northeast Asia connections, and greater flexibility across key Queensland ports including Townsville, Gladstone, and Brisbane,” Mr Walden said. “This service is designed for today’s supply chain realities, offering improved access to CMA CGM’s global network and reliable transit options that support both imports and exports across the region." By expanding regional connectivity and transit efficiency, APR2 reflects ANL’s ongoing commitment to delivering innovative and resilient logistics solutions across Asia, PNG, and Australia. Whether transporting essential imports or vital exports, this new service supports faster, smarter cargo movement. The second vessel of the service Mount Wilhelm will depart Townsville Port tomorrow, and follows the successful maiden voyage of the service, San Giorgio on Monday, 20 October.
Port of Townsville supports milestone chickpea export
The first dry bulk chickpea export has left the Port of Townsville bound for India and Pakistan in a milestone for the grain and pulse industry. The 38,500 tonne of chickpeas were transported from North Queensland growers to a storage facility in Townsville before arriving at the Port. The chickpeas were sourced from towns including Richmond, Julia Creek, Maxwelton and Marathon and mark the first dry bulk pulse shipment of its kind for the Port. The chickpea export was driven by Sizer & Cogill Bulk & General Carriers Director Chris Sizer, who worked on the export project for five years with local growers and industry stakeholders, including the Port. Port of Townsville General Manager Business Development Drew Penny said the Port already exports containerised pulses and grains, also packed by Sizer & Cogill at their purpose-built facility but as this was the first dry bulk shipment of pulses, and it was a momentous achievement for all involved. “We’re always looking for ways to further support our North Queensland growers, industry stakeholders and customers especially to meet the global demand for products such as chickpeas,” Mr Penny said. “The work Mr Sizer and the team has done during the last five years to make sure this milestone chickpea shipment came to fruition is commendable. “I also want to thank our Port staff who worked closely with Mr Sizer to prepare for the shipment.” He said the Port is continually working with industry and supply chain contacts to explore new opportunities such as the chickpea export service. “This milestone export shipment will be noticed not only by industry, but also our international customers, showing our readiness and capability to be able handle such a significant shipment,” he said. Sizer & Cogill Bulk & General Carriers director Chris Sizer said the company’s new purpose-built storage and handling facility on the Port Access Road is now operational and nearly complete – cementing the foundation for large-scale exports. “This has always been about giving our growers more options and creating efficiency in how we move their product,” Mr Sizer said. “Seeing grain/pulses leave Townsville in bulk for the first time is not just a business achievement – it’s a win for the whole supply chain.” A strategic partnership with Sizer & Cogill Bulk & General Carriers, Agristorage & Logistics and Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) also ensured the shipment would occur, Mr Sizer said. “Having a global leader like LDC on board shows how much potential this region holds,” Mr Sizer said. “We all share the same goal – to support our local growers and unlock new export pathways.”