Fremantle up for sale

Australia’s fourth largest container port, Fremantle will go up for auction on a long-term lease along with Kwinana Bulk Terminal and Utah Point Terminal, and the privatisation of Port Hedland.

“The decision to pursue a sensible programme of further asset sales will enable the government to build new infrastructure to support future growth without putting further pressure on the State’s finances,” said Premier Colin Barnett.

The port has a lot to offer, according to Western Australia’s transport minister Dean Nalder, who says it has at least eight years to go before it reaches its maximum container capacity, even if the annual box growth rate is high.

The state government was already pushing the percentage of freight moved by rail from Fremantle with the development of rail infrastructure and at the port itself on rail lines, and is continuing to developing infrastructure around the state.

Fremantle is the state’s largest general cargo port and handles almost all of the container trade for Western Australia as well as other imports and exports, and bulk cargo through two harbours.