The strategic planning for a novel container terminal has been underway for several years, foreseeing an imminent capacity challenge for Fremantle Port and its surrounding thoroughfares within the next two decades. Currently handling an annual volume of approximately 800,000 containers, Fremantle Port anticipates a substantial surge, projecting an escalation to over three million containers within the next 50 years. The favored design blueprint entails the establishment of a cutting-edge container terminal contiguous to the shoreline of the existing Kwinana Bulk Terminal. Integral to this vision is the construction of a new breakwater, strategically designed to furnish heightened protection to both the port and docked vessels. Moreover, the initiative encompasses essential enhancements to pivotal freight arteries connecting to and from the emerging container terminal, inclusive of Anketell Road, Kwinana Freeway, and Roe Highway.
A vital component of the envisaged plan involves the replication of the freight rail network spanning from the container terminal to Cockburn. This measure is pivotal in bolstering the efficiency and capacity of the transportation infrastructure. Simultaneously, upgrades to key intermodal terminals (IMT) at Kenwick and Forrestfield are slated, accompanied by the establishment of a novel IMT at Kewdale. This concerted effort aims to establish a prominent logistics hub east of Perth, leveraging existing industrial land to support substantial business activities. The envisioned container terminal has been meticulously designed to accommodate larger vessels compared to the current Fremantle terminal. Notably, it integrates the redevelopment of the aging Kwinana Bulk Terminal jetty, reflecting a commitment to modernization and future scalability. The chosen location not only ensures operational efficiency but also mitigates potential impact on critical public infrastructure, including Water Corp’s desalination plant and Synergy’s power plants.
In summary, the comprehensive design proposal not only addresses the imminent capacity constraints at Fremantle Port but also positions the envisaged container terminal as a forward-looking and strategic asset in the region’s evolving logistical landscape.
