Construction is underway on a $36 million berth extension at the Port of Newcastle’s Multipurpose Terminal (MPT), in a move aimed at increasing vessel capacity and supporting non-coal trade growth.
The project, located at Mayfield, has been awarded to Australian contractor Brady Marine and Civil and will extend the existing berth to accommodate ships up to 300 metres in length. Current infrastructure limits vessel size to around 220m.
Port of Newcastle chief executive officer Craig Carmody said the MPT precinct plays a central role in the port’s long-term strategy.
“We’ve been clear that trade diversification is a key strategic objective for PON, and this is a vision that is shared and supported by our partners, our stakeholders, and our community,” Carmody said.
“The berth extension project at Mayfield is yet another step in realising this vision for our region.
“Through this project, we are turning our diversification commitments into visible delivery, supporting regional jobs and positioning Port of Newcastle as the preferred, long-term gateway for New South Wales importers and exporters.”
The extension forms part of broader efforts to expand the port’s capability to handle a wider range of cargoes, including bulk and breakbulk commodities, as operators respond to shifting trade dynamics.
The port has increasingly focused on diversifying away from its historical reliance on coal exports, with investment in infrastructure seen as critical to enabling new supply chains and improving resilience.
According to the port, expanding berth capacity will allow larger vessels to access the terminal, improving operational efficiency and potentially reducing shipping costs per tonne through economies of scale.
The project also aligns with ongoing development of adjacent logistics and industrial precincts, which are expected to generate additional throughput across bulk and general cargo segments.
While the extension is primarily a waterside infrastructure upgrade, it is expected to complement landside investments and future projects aimed at enhancing freight connectivity and handling capacity.
Australian ports more broadly are under pressure to improve efficiency and adaptability as supply chains evolve and demand for diversified export pathways increases.
Construction timelines for the berth extension have not been publicly detailed, but is expected to take around 15 months, depending on weather, and create roughly 30 jobs for local workers.
The project represents one of several incremental upgrades designed to position the Port of Newcastle as a more flexible, multi-commodity trade hub.
