The Cairns Marine Precinct - Common User Facility involves delivering a new common user facility, including a shiplift, to increase the capacity of the precinct.
The project’s full scope of works comprises:
- a 5,000-tonne shiplift capable of lifting vessels up to 120 metres
- a 100-metre wet berth for in water maintenance
- hardstand areas for out-of-water repair and maintenance works
- all-weather, climate-controlled sheds for blasting and painting, and
- supporting infrastructure, including washdown bays and a Self Propelled Modular Transporter.
The successful bidder will be responsible for designing, building, partially financing, operating and maintaining the facility. The
The commercial arrangements proposed by Ports North comprises:
- ‘long term’ lease and operating agreements, however, no concession term has been announced, and
- 67,000 square metres of developable land within the Cairns Marine Precinct.
Key Dates
| Jun 2026 | Registrations for Expressions of Interest Open |
Funding contributions
| Federal Government | |
| Queensland Government |
Financing
|
The Registrations for Expressions of Interest process is seeking participants to provide “co-funding”, with the $387 million in funding already committed expected to remain within the funding envelope, and the successful bidder responsible for financing the remainder of the project’s cost. |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | Ports North |
PROJECT HISTORY
| May 2023 | The 2023-24 Federal Budget committed $180 million to the project. |
| May 2023 | The 2023-24 Queensland Budget matched the Federal Government's $180 million commitment. |
| May 2024 | The 2024-25 Queensland Budget increased the Government's commitment to $207 million, bringing the total funding envelope to $387 million. |
| Dec 2024 | The Queensland Government announced the total estimated cost had increased to $826 million. |
| Jun 2026 | Ports North, on behalf of the Queensland Government, commenced a Registrations for Expressions of Interest (REOI) process for the project. The REOI sought private sector participants to to provide “co-funding” for the proejct, with the $387 million in funding already committed expected to remain within the funding envelope, and the successful bidder responsible for financing the remainder of the project’s cost. The successful bidder will be responsible for the design, build, finance, operation and maintenance of the facility, which is expected to also incorporate 67,000 square metres for commercial development within the precinct. Ports North has not announced the proposed concession term duration. No updated total cost for the project has been announced. |
Estimated Total Cost
(2024)
Sector
Other Transport
Procurement approach
Confirmed PPP |
Location
Queensland |
Resources
