Mackay Container Depot targets September start as Central Queensland seeks port diversification

A 1.3-hectare container facility at the Port of Mackay is progressing toward operational commencement in late 2026, subject to federal regulatory approvals, strengthening Central Queensland's supply chain resilience and expanding regional trade capability beyond capital city gateways.

The purpose-built depot has been designed to handle full, empty, and refrigerated (reefer) containers within a streamlined single-gate-in/single-gate-out configuration. NQBP market studies indicate a steady build-up of trade in the coming years to approximately 7,000 TEU per annum, representing a meaningful uplift in Mackay’s container capability and reinforcing its role within Queensland’s evolving logistics network.

Since the concept phase, MPCI has collaborated with NQBP to develop a credible operating framework. Brendan Webb, Chief Executive Officer of North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation, said MPCI’s involvement has been integral to shaping the project’s foundation.

“MPCI has worked alongside NQBP from the early stages of the Mackay container depot concept, providing strategic and operational guidance as the project has evolved. Their support in shaping the operating model, yard configuration and commercial pathway has helped ensure the facility is grounded in market reality and positioned for disciplined, sustainable growth.”

Operational Discipline Over Volume Ambition

Peter Creeden, Managing Director of MPCI, said the project reflects a disciplined approach to regional port development.

"Regional container facilities succeed when they are built around real cargo flows and operational credibility. From the outset, our focus has been on ensuring the Mackay depot is designed with clear commercial logic and a practical start-up pathway. The objective is to deliver a facility that performs reliably from day one and builds confidence in the regional market."

Peter Creeden and Mark Hulme have been working closely together to provide operational leadership on the project, supporting the detailed design of the facility with a focus on yard layout, equipment specification, and fit-for-purpose digital integration.

Engineering for Scale and Reliability

Terminal operations specialist Mark Hulme, Strategic Advisor at MPCI and Managing Director of Port Logistics Consulting, has provided practical, hands-on expertise to ensure the facility is designed with strong operational integrity from the outset and a clear, disciplined pathway to scale as volumes increase.

"For a regional depot of this scale relies on core principles: safe traffic flow, efficient yard utilisation, and equipment aligned with throughput expectations," Hulme said. "We are embedding operational discipline into the design so that the facility can scale predictably as demand strengthens."

The depot supports broader efforts to enhance regional supply chain efficiency by reducing inland transport distances for Central Queensland cargo and offering exporters and importers greater flexibility within the state's port network. It also aligns with growing interest from cargo owners in reducing Scope 3 emissions through shorter landside haulage and more regionally aligned logistics pathways.

Regional Container Pathways Gain Momentum Amid Capital City Port Costs Scrutiny

The Mackay initiative emerges at a time when Australia’s capital city ports are facing increasing scrutiny over rising landside access charges and growing frustration from importers and exporters regarding cost transparency and service alignment. Containerised trade remains highly concentrated in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, even as cargo owners in regional areas seek more commercially balanced and responsive alternatives.

The Mackay project reflects this shift in sentiment, representing a practical step towards providing Central Queensland with a credible, regionally aligned container pathway that prioritises cost efficiency, service reliability, and closer alignment with local industry needs.

Operational readiness remains targeted for late 2026, subject to federal regulatory approvals.

MPC International is proud to support the regional market in this next phase of development and remains committed to helping build a more resilient and sustainable supply chain ecosystem for Central Queensland and beyond.