Trade update
PBPL welcomed the Grande Halifax on her maiden voyage to the Port on 6 March, marking the commencement of Grimaldi’s new RO/RO Asia–Australia liner service, connecting Brisbane to Grimaldi’s global network of ports via Shanghai.
The new service strengthens Brisbane’s role as a key trade gateway, while offering more efficient shipping options through modern RO/RO vessels, aligning with the Port’s commitment to facilitating long-term trade growth. A big month for cruise
On 2 April, Port of Brisbane hosted two cruise ships simultaneously – Carnival Luminosa at Brisbane International Cruise Terminal (BICT) and transit caller, Viking Orion at Fisherman Islands.
This milestone showcased the additional cruise capacity available in Brisbane specifically for transit calls when the BICT is booked. It offers cruise lines greater flexibility in itinerary planning, reinforces Brisbane’s attractiveness as a port of call, and supports the continued growth of Queensland’s cruise industry, aligning with the Queensland Government’s Destination 2045 plan.
The BICT also wrapped up a strong summer season, welcoming 101 cruise ship calls between October ’25 and March ‘26, including five maiden visits. Approximately 519,000 passenger movements were recorded across the six-month period, with December the busiest month of the season. Cruise will continue at the BICT throughout April and into winter, led by our year-round homeporter, Carnival Encounter.
Congratulations and thank you to all who help ensure a safe, efficient and welcoming experience to the BICT – our Port team, cruise lines including our Foundation Partner Carnival Australia, and all cruise stakeholders.
Find out more about the 2025/26 summer season or visit our website. Channel Enhancement Project
Work is progressing on Port of Brisbane’s Channel Enhancement Project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The project team is continuing to refine key design elements of the proposed project, including the optimised channel layout and preferred locations for dredged material placement.
The current optimised design includes: - Reduced channel widths in select areas, helping lower the overall volume of dredging required while maintaining navigational safety and operational efficiency.
- A preferred dredged material placement option to extend the existing port expansion area at Fisherman Islands, selected for its operational efficiency and its potential to support improved environmental outcomes.
To keep updated on the project visit the project website.
Port Drive pavement rehabilitation works
Works are progressing well along the 1.7km section of Port Drive – between Bulk Terminals Drive and the roundabout opposite DP World – where full depth rehabilitation of the pavement and roundabouts is underway.
Since commencing in February 2026, Principal Contractor Malcolm Civil has completed its first stage of works, including the widening and gradient reduction of the first roundabout near Seafarers Street.
Once completed the work will improve the road safety and efficiency for all road users while enhancing our road network to accommodate the longer, larger heavy vehicles operating within the port precinct.
We will continue to issue Port Alerts to keep the port community updated as the works progress. You can sign up for Port Alerts via our website.
iMOVE update
Since October 2025, we’ve been working with iMOVE Australia and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to design a framework and operational requirements and develop a digital twin to simulate autonomous short-haul container transfers at the Port of Brisbane.
Recent work has focused on onsite collaboration with QUT researchers and port customers, including Patrick Terminals, DP World Australia and Qube Empty Park along with our Brisbane Multimodal Terminal (BMT) while our ‘Day in a Truck’ conversations with drivers from Qube Logistics and Arrow Transport enabled the project team to learn more about driver behaviour, decision-making and safety considerations. The QUT team has also been collecting route data using sensore quipped vehicles to build 3D maps of key transfer routes, providing critical inputs for the project’s next phase.
With freight volumes growing and a declining truck driver workforce, the research collaboration will explore how low/zero-emission autonomous vehicles could supplement requirements by supporting container movements between terminals, depots and the BMT, considering all the regulatory, safety, technical, and security requirements of this ecosystem.
Read the project media release and learn more about Vision 2060. Higher Productivity Freight Vehicle innovations
Next time you’re driving around the Port of Brisbane, keep an eye out for the five new Higher Productivity Freight Vehicle (HPFV) combinations that now have permits to operate under strict safety and operational conditions on Fisherman Islands.
PBPL, together with the Office of the Chief Engineer within the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), has facilitated successful on-road trials for transport operators including MEDLOG, South East Queensland Hauliers and Arrow Transport in the last twelve months. The new HPFV combinations offer productivity increases of between 50% - 100% when compared to the container carrying capacity of other heavy vehicles.
You can read more about how the Port is driving HPFV innovation here. Landside Logistics Forum
We had a strong turnout at our recent Landside Logistics Forum (LLF) which focused on safety and compliance standards for heavy vehicles and driver behaviour. The quarterly meetings are an opportunity to network and collaborate on safety, efficiency, innovation and sustainability initiatives and challenges within our supply chain.
Thanks to all who attended our March meeting including guest speakers Paul Salvati (National Heavy Vehicle Regulator), Jarrod Wilson (NHVR), Lisa Fraser (Queensland Trucking Association) and Athena Ferraro (NHVR).
If your organisation is keen to get involved, reach out to our Logistics and Project Cargo Manager, Nicola Murray.
Nest Box Program delivering postive results
Around one third of Port of Brisbane land is environmental area, forming an important corridor that supports native wildlife within a highly developed landscape. Our long-term nest box program provides habitat for tree hollow dependent species including squirrel gliders, microbats, native bees, and rainbow lorikeets.
The latest inspections recorded more than half of the 60 nest boxes as occupied, an increase following the 2024 nest box replacement program – a sign these spaces are supporting growing wildlife populations, not just providing short term shelter.
Ongoing monitoring and maintenance, delivered with Hollow Log Homes, ensures the program continues to support positive biodiversity outcomes alongside port operations.
Our environmental monitoring reports, including the latest Next Box report, are available on our website here.
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