Leases on offer at Fremantle Container Terminals

Dean Nalder Minister for Transport; Finance

Expressions of Interest are invited for leasing the container terminals on the North Quay in the inner harbor of Fremantle Port. Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the Port of Fremantle was Western Australia’s primary container, general cargo and automotive port, handling 92 per cent of the State’s container trade. It is Australia’s fourth largest container port, handling 703,000 standard containers in 2013-14 from 502 visits by container ships, accounting for 9.4 per cent of national trade.

“This trade is of enormous importance to the State. The container stevedoring business has changed significantly since the 21-year leases were granted in 1996,” Transport Minister Mr Nalder said. “Currently operated by DP World and Patrick, the leases are set to expire in 2017. So it’s now timely to build some key strategic objectives into the new leasing arrangements to enhance efficiency in servicing the container trade.”

The current Expressions of Interest process will be followed by a request for proposals. An operating agreement will be put in place to manage the performance of successful bidders. The performance requirements will include development commitments over the lease period and key performance indicators. The Minister said, “The State Government is committed to maintaining Fremantle Port’s role in servicing Western Australia’s container trade.”