North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP)

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Limited (NQBP) became a port authority on 1 July 2009, under the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994, for the seaport facilities at Hay Point, Mackay, Abbot Point, Weipa and Maryborough.

We are one of Australia’s largest port authorities by tonnage throughput and more than half of Queensland’s trade, by tonnage, pass through our ports. Our aim is to be the recognised leader in the delivery of bulk cargo infrastructure. The sea port facilities we manage are vital to the export and import performance of Queensland and Australia. NQBP ports handle bulk shipments of coal, bauxite, sand, sugar, grain, petroleum and general cargo. Coal is by far the main commodity handled, but each port and each commodity is important in its own right.

As a port authority, NQBP is responsible for:

• strategic port planning
• port business development
• port infrastructure development
• environmental management and marine pollution (within port limits)
• port security and safety
• port efficiency
• maintaining navigable port depths for shipping
• issuing licences, leases and permits to other organisations for use of port land, infrastructure, and facilities (NQBP has a multi-user access policy in place at its ports to facilitate highest possible utilisation of port infrastructure, and greatest possible operational efficiency).

Port pilotage operations and navigation are the responsibility of NQBP for the Ports of Hay Point and Mackay.  The Port of Townsville provides pilotage services for the Port of Abbot Point and Ports North is responsible for pilotage services at Weipa.

Stevedoring and towage services are outsourced to approved contractors at all of NQBP’s ports.