The Port of Townsville, located in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, is a government corporation and an important seaport in the region.
It is considered the third largest seaport in Queensland after the Port of Brisbane and the Port of Gladstone. Located south of the mouth of Ross Creek and north of the Ross River, it primarily uses Cleveland Bay for primary shipping access.
In addition, there is a second seaport dedicated exclusively to the export of sugar, located approximately 100 kilometers north of Townsville at Lucinda. This seaport is also managed by the Port of Townsville Limited.
The Port of Townsville plays a vital role in supporting the North Queensland economy and facilitated $8 billion worth of trade in the 2017/2018 financial year.
The Port of Townsville handles a wide range of over 30 commodities, including mineral ores, fertilisers, concentrates, sugar and motor vehicles. Notably, it ranks #1 in Australia in exports of copper, zinc, lead and sugar.
Additionally, the Port of Townsville shipped almost 200,000 live cattle in 2017, securing its position as Australia’s second largest live cattle export port, second only to Darwin.
Berth 10 at the Port of Townsville has been specifically designed to accommodate the Royal Australian Navy’s new LHD vessels, HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Canberra. In addition, the port often hosts US Navy personnel for rest and recuperation during their stay in Townsville.