What is a port?

In general terms, a port is a sea-land interface with infrastructure to support vessel handling and movement and commercial transfer of cargo or passengers.

While there are many examples of marine facilities that may support vessel handling and passenger movement such as jetties, wharves, barge ramps and other community use infrastructure, these facilities generally do not warrant port declaration as these facilities are not engaged in port activities of a substantial nature. Accordingly, while some recreational boating facilities and marinas are integral to the established port (especially as tourism attractions), they are not considered to be port facilities.

In the Queensland context, a port is one which is declared under the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 and identified as such in the Transport Infrastructure (Ports) Regulation 2016. The Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 does not provide a general definition of ‘port’ but instead defines a port by reference to the designated management authority tasked with regulating port activities within the port.

As an island nation, Australia is heavily reliant on maritime operations for overseas trade. Consequently, the relevance of ports in the efficient working of an economy is fundamental as all goods and passengers transported by sea require the use of ports.

Queensland ports are a major component of Queensland's supply chain and contribute significantly to international trade and regional, state, and national economic development. Ports act as interfaces between maritime and inland modes of transport. To have an efficient maritime transport system, ports must be guaranteed to work efficiently, providing fast and safe transit of goods and passengers through its facilities.

Each port provides a broad range of facilities that cater for the diverse land/sea interface requirements of their trade catchment areas. In many cases, the port entities are responsible for the construction of essential port infrastructure, administration, the operation of port facilities and oversight of port users operating on port lands and using designated port channels and areas.

The development and use of each of Queensland’s existing ports has been determined having reference to their unique geographic features. These include access to deep water and natural harbours, proximity to sites of production and connecting landside infrastructure, proximity to import markets, and adequate land and sea linkages.

Contact us

The process to establish new ports in Queensland is administered by TMR's Governance and Ports team.

Any queries can be directed to this unit, which can be contacted via email: [email protected] or telephone 13 23 80 during business hours, 8:30am–5:00pm on business days.