Port of Brisbane facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Port of Brisbane Brisbane, Queensland
Moreton Bay, the Port of Brisbane and Brisbane Airport, 2015
Port of Brisbane Location in Queensland
Population	0 (2021 census)
• Density	0/km2 (0/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4178
Area	24.6 km2 (9.5 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	22 km (14 mi) from Brisbane GPO
LGA(s)	City of Brisbane (Wynnum Manly Ward)
State electorate(s)	Lytton
Federal Division(s)	Bonner
Suburbs around Port of Brisbane: Bramble Bay Moreton Bay Moreton Bay Pinkenba Port of Brisbane Moreton Bay Pinkenba Lytton Moreton Bay

The Port of Brisbane is a very important shipping port located on the east coast of Queensland, Australia. It's also a coastal suburb of the City of Brisbane. In 2021, no one lived permanently in the Port of Brisbane suburb. This area is a busy hub where goods arrive and leave Australia by sea.

Where is the Port of Brisbane?

The Port of Brisbane is found at the end of the Brisbane River. It sits on a special place called Fisherman Islands. These islands were created by adding land to smaller islands at the river's mouth. It's very close to the Brisbane Airport.

Australia's Busiest Ports

This port is currently the third busiest in Australia. It's also the fastest-growing port for container ships. Imagine huge ships carrying thousands of metal boxes filled with goods!

The port connects to a long shipping channel that goes across Moreton Bay. This channel is about 90 kilometers (56 miles) long. It needs to be kept deep enough for big ships, so workers regularly dredge (dig out) the bottom. This makes sure the water is at least 14 meters (46 feet) deep, even at low tide.

Brisbane Airport and the Port of Brisbane from above

Queensland has other large ports too, like the Port of Gladstone and the Port of Townsville.

What the Port Handles

A lot of different goods pass through the Port of Brisbane. For example, about 60% of the coal shipped from this port comes from the New Acland Mine.

A Look at the Port's History

The Port of Brisbane has grown a lot over the years.

Railway Connections

In 1980, a railway line was built to connect the port to the main railway network. This made it easier to move goods to and from ships. Later, in 1997, the railway line was updated to handle different types of trains.

Managing the Port

In 2008, the Port of Brisbane Corporation made a big agreement. They allowed a company called Brisbane Container Terminals to manage some of the port's important areas for 42 years. This company is part of a larger international group called Hutchison Port Holdings.

Keeping Channels Clear

Sometimes, mud and sand can build up in the port's channels. This can cause delays for ships trying to deliver goods, including important oil supplies. This has happened a few times, and millions of dollars are spent each year to keep the channels clear by dredging.

What Facilities Does the Port Have?

The Port of Brisbane is managed by a company called Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd (PBPL). They have a long-term lease from the Queensland Government to run the port.

A view of the Port of Brisbane from Pinkenba in 2015

A view of the Port of Brisbane from Redcliffe in 2016

Berths and Cargo

The port has 29 places where ships can dock, called berths. Nine of these are for large container ships, and three are for huge bulk cargo ships. There are also 17 other berths for different types of goods. Every year, more than 2,600 ships visit the port, carrying over 28 million tonnes of cargo!

Cruise Ship Terminals

The port also has special places for cruise ships.

• Portside Wharf in Hamilton opened in 2006. It's a modern place for cruise liners with restaurants and shops. However, very large cruise ships can't go that far up the river because of the Gateway Bridge and length limits.
• The Brisbane International Cruise Terminal opened in 2022. This new terminal is on the other side of the river from the main port. It's big enough for the largest cruise ships in the world!

Protecting Wildlife

The port also cares about nature. It has a visitors' center where people can learn about the port. In 2005, a special resting place was built for shorebirds. This bird roost is the largest one built specifically for migratory birds on Australia's east coast.

How to Get to the Port

The Port of Brisbane Motorway is a short road that connects the port directly to the main Gateway Motorway. This makes it easy for trucks to move goods to and from the port.

Port Expansion

The Port of Brisbane is always growing to handle more ships and cargo. New berths have been opened over the years to increase its capacity. For example, Berth 10 opened in 2009, and Berths 11 and 12 opened in 2012 and 2014, respectively. These new berths help the port manage more container ships.

See also

• Australia TradeCoast
• Transport in Brisbane