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Page last updated on 14-07-2021.
News
Port of Townsville celebrates most successful cruise season on record
Port of Townsville is celebrating its most successful cruise season yet, with 21 ships bringing more than 30,000 visitors to our city.The passengers and crew provided a welcome economic boost to the region, spending almost $7 million on experiences, retail and food and beverage outlets.Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby said she was thrilled to welcome five vessels on their maiden voyage to the city, including visits by three-large class cruise ships which were able to access the Port for the first time since the completion of the $251 million Channel Upgrade project.“We are delighted to welcome Norwegian Sun back to our Port today, following her maiden voyage to the city on Easter Monday,” Ms Crosby said.“She is carrying up to 2400 passengers and 900 crew who will spend the day exploring the best our region has to offer.“The Norwegian Cruise Lines ship is one of three large-class cruise vessels which have been able to access our Port for the first time this season, bringing triple the number of passengers that had ever arrived on any one ship.“To facilitate the increase in passenger numbers on the large vessels, Port of Townsville recently completed a $5.9 million upgrade to our Quayside Terminal bus and taxi rank to allow our guests a seamless experience from ship to shore.“With 21 vessels visiting our city between November 2024 and April 2025, we are pleased to be able to facilitate a welcome boost to our tourism industry for what is typically a quieter time for operators.”Townsville Enterprise Director Visitor Economy and Marketing Lisa Woolfe said cruise passengers had delivered a welcome economic boost to the city.“The cruise season is critical for our region; it provides a welcomed boost to our tourism economy during what is traditionally a low season,” Ms Woolfe said.“This year given the flooding and rain we have had it has been more important than ever.“Our cruise season has been an absolute lifeline for some tourism operators at the start of this year, contributing almost $7 million to the economy across in the last six months. “We consistently receive very positive feedback from our cruise guests, with an average of 4 out of 5 score in our surveying.“The passengers truly are ‘up for unexpected’ and have been delighted to explore the natural beauty our region has to offer, from reef to outback and everything in between.“Day trips to Magnetic Island, Charters Towers and Hinchinbrook have been favourites and attractions like Billabong Sanctuary and The Strand remain as popular as ever. “We know that cruise passengers have a high propensity to be return travellers to the regions they enjoy, so these cruise ships aren’t just a positive economic boost, they are a billboard for future travel from visitors across the world.”Ms Crosby said Townsville was cementing itself as a must-cruise destination with 26 ships booked for the upcoming 2025/2026 season.“As more cruise lines are looking to visit our city, the seasons are getting longer and this year we will welcome our first cruise passengers in early July, a time of year when Townsville really shines,” Ms Crosby said
Port of Townsville launches $50,000 Community Fund
The Port of Townsville is giving community groups, not-for-profits and schools across North Queensland the opportunity to share in $50,000 to assist with community minded projects and initiatives. Now in its fifth year, the Port’s annual Community Fund has supported 55 projects across the region with a combined value of more than $2.5 million. Port of Townsville Chief Executive Officer Ranee Crosby said the Community Fund aims to support a range of local initiatives that align with the Port’s key sustainability pillars and values. “We’re proud to support the North Queensland communities who supports us, and since we first launched the fund in 2021, we’ve provided assistance to a huge variety of causes contributing to the liveability of our region and the wellbeing of our communities,” Ms Crosby said. “Last year we received a record number of applications, with 57 groups applying, of which we were able to support 10 important initiatives, with projects supporting environmental stewardship and community togetherness featuring prominently.” Ms Crosby said while the Port is based in Townsville, our operations extend to Hinchinbrook, the Burdekin and the North West. “We invite groups from any of these communities to apply if they have a project which could benefit from monetary or in-kind support.” Community Fund 2024 recipient Belgian Gardens State School used their funding to upgrade equipment for their Reef Guardian program. Belgian Gardens State School STEM coordinator Brett Murphy said the funding has had a positive impact on water quality and fish health. “The equipment upgrades have been amazing and more efficient,” Mr Murphy said. Applications to the Port’s 2025 Community Fund are open until Monday 14 April 2025. For more information and to apply go to Community Fund | Port of Townsville.
Townsville Port celebrates Channel Upgrade completion with Queen Elizabeth’s arrival
Port of Townsville is celebrating the completion of its $251 million Channel Upgrade project with the arrival of Cunard’s luxury cruise ship Queen Elizabeth on Tuesday, 14 January 2025. The upgrade involved Townsville’s shipping channels being widened from 92m to 180m at the inshore end, allowing larger vessels up to 300m in length to safely access the port, instead of bypassing Townsville. Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby said the channel widening had been pivotal in attracting larger cruise vessels to Townsville. “This project will deliver the largest cruise ships Townsville has seen to date and will be carrying thousands of passengers and crew, which means significant economic injections into our local economy and local businesses” Ms Crosby said. “This milestone heralds a new era of maritime tourism for the region, promising to boost the local economy and offer visitors an unparalleled experience to explore our region right throughout the year.” Director for Cunard Australia and New Zealand Katrina McAlpine said they were thrilled guests travelling on Queen Elizabeth would be able to access the Port of Townsville for the first time. “We are excited that Queen Elizabeth is the first cruise ship of her size to berth at Townsville Port, bringing our guests right to the city’s doorstep,” Ms McAlpine said. “It’s a magnificent setting, offering our guests unparalleled convenience for exploring all that Townsville and its surrounds have to offer.” Hall Contracting CEO & Director Cameron Hall said his company was proud to have delivered such a significant project for the Townsville region. “As an Australian contractor, Hall Contracting is proud to have overcome stiff competition from European-based multinational dredging companies to deliver the Port of Townsville Channel Upgrade project in our home state, creating approximately 140 local jobs and boosting the Queensland economy,” Mr Hall said. “In addition to dredging 3.4 million cubic metres of material from the Platypus Channel and Sea Channel, our marine civil division also built a 2.2km rock wall as part of the Channel Upgrade to facilitate expansion of the Port. "We will leave behind an enduring legacy in Townsville, having delivered more than 30,000 hours of training to local workers and provided hands-on industry experience and learning opportunities to a range of trainees, apprentices and university students.” Ms Crosby said the $251 million Channel Upgrade project was the first stage of a $1.6 billion Port Expansion Plan, which includes the creation of up to six new berths, 150 hectares of land reclamation and channel widening and deepening. “North Queensland is home to some of the most significant emerging opportunities that will fuel economic growth for decades to come, spanning critical minerals, mining and processing, renewable energy transmission and generation and advanced manufacturing,” Ms Crosby said. “Through continued expansion, our Port will play a critical role in supporting the North’s pipeline of major projects.”
New towage services contractor welcomed
Port of Townsville and Ports North are pleased to announce Engage Marine has been awarded a new contract to supply towage services to ports in Townsville, Lucinda, Cairns and Mourilyan. Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby said the Port was pleased to welcome new contractor Engage Marine’s services to the Port after a comprehensive tender process. Ms Crosby said the Port recognises and acknowledges the services provided by the Port’s current towage service provider. “I’d like to thank our current towage service provider Smit Lamnalco Towage Australia, including their crew for their dedicated years of service,” Ms Crosby said. “Towage services are crucial to a Port operating safely and efficiently and we look forward to working with Engage Marine.” Ports North CEO Richard Stevenson said Ports North welcomed the completion of the thorough tender process and welcomes Engage Marine as the towage provider for their ports of Cairns and Mourilyan. Mr Stevenson also acknowledged their current towage provider. “Svitzer Australia have been a valuable partner in the ports of Cairns and Mourilyan and I would like to thank and acknowledge their staff and crew for their years of dedication in providing a critical port service to Ports North and our customers,” Mr Stevenson said. “We now look forward to working with Engage Marine noting the important role towage plays in the safe and efficient operation of our ports.” Engage Marine Chief Executive Officer Mark Malone said that they are proud to be selected to provide the towage services across the four ports and are committed to working closely with Port of Townsville and Ports North to ensure a smooth transition into operation. “We have successfully implemented numerous new operations in recent years, transitioning from the incumbent operator, safely, efficiently and on-time with no disruption to operations. We worked closely with the relevant Port Authorities and stakeholders to deliver on time commencement, improved service offering and operational efficiencies,” Mr Malone said. “We are committed to investing in and supporting the local communities in which we operate. We will work closely with the local port and community stakeholders when commencing operations to identify opportunities to maximise the use of local content. “We will be establishing offices and shore side support in both Townsville and Cairns, and we are committed to recruiting staff and crew that live locally to each of the ports.” The fleet that Engage Marine will put in place across the ports of Townsville, Lucinda, Cairns and Mourilyan is an upgrade in capability to the existing assets currently servicing the Ports.
Port of Townsville wins prestigious maritime industry award
Port of Townsville has been named Australia’s Port of the Year for 2024 at the DCN Australian Shipping and Maritime Industry Awards in Melbourne. Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby said it was an honour to receive the accolade and acknowledgement from our industry and peers. “This wonderful achievement reflects the dedication, hard work and passion of our Port staff and customers who work proudly and tirelessly to service our region,” Ms Crosby said. The judging panel said they were particularly impressed by the Port’s remarkable achievement of handling more than $12 billion worth of commodities last financial year, with ambitious plans for triple trade in the coming decades. “Their impressive $1.6 billion expansion plan, highlighted by a historic $251 million Channel Upgrade project, showcases their commitment to increasing capacity and efficiency,” the judges said. “Moreover, their dedication to growth and sustainability, evident in the installation of solar panels and the development of renewable energy initiatives, positions them as forward-thinking leaders in the industry. “With a record cruise season ahead and significant growth in motor vehicle imports, the Port of Townsville is undoubtedly driving economic growth in North Queensland while embracing a sustainable future.” Ms Crosby said it is a particular honour to be able to celebrate the milestone in the Port’s 160th year of operation, and a year when we will complete the $251 million Channel Upgrade project – the largest infrastructure project in the Port’s history. “North Queensland is poised for an era of transformative growth in critical minerals, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and mining,” Ms Crosby said. “The Port stands ready to meet the rising demand for advance port infrastructure to help to support a new frontier for economic development in our region.” Finalists in the 2024 Australian Port or Terminal of the Year Award included Barry Beach Marine Terminal, Port of Brisbane, Patrick Terminals and Port Kembla.