Port of Mackay container depot project to unlock Central Queensland trade

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) has commenced construction of a multi-million-dollar container depot at the Port of Mackay, aimed at enabling regular containerised imports and exports directly through the region for the first time.

Announced on 11 February 2026, the 1.3-hectare facility will be the first container depot of its kind in Central Queensland and is expected to strengthen regional supply chain resilience, improve freight turnaround times and reduce logistics costs for exporters and importers.

NQBP says the development will allow businesses to send and receive goods through Mackay without routing freight through larger ports such as Brisbane, reducing long-haul transport requirements and supporting more efficient trade flows.

NQBP CEO Brendan Webb says Mackay’s location near major mining and agricultural hubs positions it as a strategic logistics point for regional industries.

“Mackay’s strategic location, close to major mining and agricultural hubs, means industries can rely on a more robust and flexible logistics network with a dedicated container facility at the port,” Webb says.

He says the container depot will eliminate the need for long-distance transport to other ports, delivering savings in time and cost while also reducing heavy vehicle movements on the Bruce Highway.

NQBP also says the project will strengthen the region’s supply chain against weather disruptions and support emissions reductions by cutting inland freight transport distances.

The container depot is being built with capacity to handle current demand and future expansion, including reefer (refrigerated container) capability. NQBP market studies forecast trade through Mackay will grow steadily in coming years to around 7,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) annually.

The depot will be reach-stacker ready and will include reefer capacity and empty container management systems, according to NQBP.

Construction was awarded to Ward Civil & Environmental Engineering in December 2025, with completion scheduled for mid to late 2026.