Westport Takes a Major Step Forward with Preferred Container Port Design

Western Australia's biggest freight infrastructure project has taken another major step forward.

Westport has unveiled the preferred design for the state's planned $7.2 billion container port, a project expected to replace Fremantle as Western Australia's primary container gateway in the late 2030s.

The proposed development centres on a new container terminal in the Kwinana Industrial Area, supported by new marine infrastructure in Cockburn Sound, a shipping channel capable of accommodating larger container vessels, upgraded road and rail freight links, and an expanded logistics network.

According to Westport, the preferred design aims to future-proof the state's container trade by accommodating larger ships while strengthening Kwinana's role as a major industrial and logistics hub. The design was also selected to minimise environmental impacts and support the long-term health of Cockburn Sound.

The proposal includes a new port between Barter Road and Mason Road, a dedicated freight corridor along Anketell and Thomas roads, upgrades to Anketell Road, Kwinana Freeway and Roe Highway, and enhancements to the freight rail network linking the port with logistics hubs at Kenwick, Kewdale and Forrestfield. Plans also include rail duplication and the removal of level crossings to maximise the movement of freight by rail.

The preferred design follows an extensive planning process. Between 2018 and 2020, Westport assessed 25 potential port locations between Fremantle, Cockburn Sound and Bunbury before selecting Kwinana. Seven port concepts were then narrowed to three through detailed environmental, operational and economic assessments before the preferred design was chosen.

According to the project's business case, continuing to rely solely on Fremantle Port would ultimately cost the state more than developing a new container port, with Fremantle forecast to reach its practical container capacity of around 1.4 million TEU by 2040—or sooner if trade growth accelerates.

The Western Australian Government has committed $273 million towards the next stage of planning, including ongoing land acquisition and detailed design work, as the project moves closer to delivery.

While the transition is not expected until the late 2030s, the announcement provides greater certainty for industry on the long-term direction of container trade in Western Australia and the infrastructure that will support future growth.