Crane to drive growth of Cairns as an emerging marine powerhouse
Cairns marine services are looking ship shape with the delivery of a 135 tonne crane and an infrastructure improvement package worth $4m to the Tropical Reef Shipyard.
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Cairns marine services are looking ship shape with the delivery of a 135 tonne crane and an associated infrastructure improvement package worth $4m.
In a further boost of the Far North ship servicing and maintenance capability and hot on the heels of a $15m ship maintenance shed announced last month, Tropical Reef Shipyard is now in receipt of a Kobelco crane.
Planned upgrades to associated infrastructure including water mains and hardstand improvements will be made possible through a Miles Government industry development program.
The funding is part of the $415.5m Industry Partnership Program which is focused on growing Queensland’s priority industries, strengthening local supply chains and encouraging collaboration between government and industry.
State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace said her government was proud to back local firms such as Tropical Reef Shipyard that are investing in job-creating infrastructure.
“This is all about developing and retaining specialist skills and cutting-edge technology to reinforce Queensland’s competitive edge in the maritime industry,” she said.
A total of $360m has been set aside for the creation of a new Common User Facility with a 5000 tonne ship-lift, a 180m wharf for in-water maintenance, two blast and paint sheds, and three hardstand areas for vessels up to 120m.
The new facility due for completion in 2028 has been dubbed a game changer for the Cairns port and its partners.
Tropical Reef Shipyard general manager Rob Downing said upgrades and the new crane allowed the company to accelerate growth through support of a defence fleet including offshore patrol vessels that could be home ported in Cairns following the 2023 Defence Strategic Review that recommended a “hardening of the north”.
“These planned upgrades are a catalyst that will allow us to further grow the capability, capacity and depth of the Cairns Marine Precinct so it is better positioned
to support the future defence fleet,” he said.
“This assistance will allow us to increase productivity, develop capability and
continue to grow the broader Queensland regional supply chain to sustain our
commercial and naval fleet.”
Cairns MP and Tourism Minister Michael Healy said development of a Cairns marine service capability meant positive diversity for the regional economy.
“Cairns Marine Precinct funding is designed to help industry meet growing demand
in ship maintenance by upgrading existing shipyard facilities to continue to
strengthen, grow and create jobs,” he said.
Tropical Reef Shipyard services vessels up to 3,000 tonnes and 110m in length
and the upgrades will allow the business to meet the growing demands for ship
maintenance from customers in the defence, commercial and private sectors.
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Originally published as Crane to drive growth of Cairns as an emerging marine powerhouse
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