Facilities

Queensland's marine facilities include:

Major ports

Port of Brisbane

The Port of Brisbane and upriver facilities have 31 operating berths with more than 7860 metres of quay line. As one of only two nuclear-powered warship-declared ports on Australia's east coast (both in Queensland), it regularly hosts nuclear-powered US Navy vessels, including aircraft carriers. The Port of Brisbane is one of Australia's fastest growing container ports and Queensland's largest multi-cargo port. It is also strategically located close to Asia and the South West Pacific, which presents significant opportunities for mounting base or Australian Defence Force operations. Furthermore, the port is in close proximity to other major defence installations and units, including Amberley, Bulimba, Gallipoli Barracks (Enoggera), and Shoalwater Bay Training Area.

Cairns Defence Precinct

The Cairns Defence Precinct comprises HMAS Cairns (approximately 1000 personnel) and is a strategic base that provides maintenance, logistics and administrative support for fleet units including patrol boats, landing craft, hydrographic ships and the Laser Airborne Depth Sounder. Patrol boats from Cairns support Operation Sovereign Borders in the Christmas Island region as well as defence engagement in the South West Pacific region.

Port of Gladstone

The Port of Gladstone is Queensland's largest multi-commodity port. It is equipped to receive nuclear-powered warships and is one of the world's top four coal exporting ports. The export of coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) have prompted expansion plans, which include the development of LNG plants on Curtis Island and the expansion or relocation of existing general cargo berths, coal terminals and alumina refinery berths.

Port of Townsville

The Queensland Government contributed $36 million and the Department of Defence and additional $30 million towards the upgrade of Townsville Port's Berth 10 to service the new Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD). The extended berth provides valuable space for Royal Australian Navy and allied warships, enhancing the capacity of the port to support major ADF activities.

Emerging ports

• Port of Bundaberg
• Port of Mackay

Gold Coast Marine Precinct

The Gold Coast Marine Precinct on the Coomera River is a major industrial marine hub dedicated to maintenance, refit and new-build facilities for superyachts, commercial ferries and recreational vessels. The precinct covers more than 250 hectares and includes two 300-tonne travel lifts and eight 18-metre by 50-metre sheds, making it one of the largest refit and repair facilities in the Southern Hemisphere.