HISTORY
PBPL acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands, seas and waters on which the Port of Brisbane operates and their enduring connection to Country.
For thousands of years, First Nations peoples have lived, traded and shared Songlines of the river.
From early years as a river port to today’s modern, deepwater port at Fisherman Islands, the Port of Brisbane has shaped our city, region and global trade connections. In the mid-1970s, the Queensland Government recognised that existing port facilities that lined the Brisbane River could not sustainably support evolving trade requirements and a growing population.
In 1976, it established the Port of Brisbane Authority to create a modern, deepwater port at Fisherman Islands.
Today, Port of Brisbane powers the Queensland economy through global trade and helps sustain regions and communities across the state. The timeline below reflects some of the key milestones in the development and ongoing growth of Port of Brisbane.
1846
Brisbane declared a Port of Entry
Brisbane’s role is established as Queensland’s gateway to global trade.
1850s–mid 1900s
River trade and industrial growth
River transport powered Brisbane’s early growth, moving coal, timber and agricultural goods while manufacturing and processing industries — including sugar, meat, oil and mining — expanded along the river.
Port facilities lined the Brisbane River before urban renewal gradually pushed port activity downstream over time.
1960s
Energy fuels a new industrial era
Two oil refineries were built near the mouth of the Brisbane River, reflecting Queensland’s growing energy needs and a shift toward larger vessels, foreshadowing the Port’s future move seaward. Ampol’s deepwater tanker berth is the first at what will become Fisherman Islands
1974
A bold new vision
The Queensland Department of Harbours and Marine delivered the Port of Brisbane Strategic Plan recommending Fisherman Islands as the preferred location for Brisbane’s first purpose built deepwater port. It cited advances in cargo handling, larger container ships, and the growing challenge of dredging the Brisbane River making existing port facilities unsustainable.
This visionary decision shifted port development away from the city and laid the groundwork for decades of trade and economic growth.
1976–77
Building access to the islands
The Port of Brisbane Authority Act 1976 took effect on 6 December. In April 1977, the Authority awarded its first contract for a port project which involved building a 5km access causeway, two road bridges and a rail bridge
to Fisherman Islands, physically connecting the future port precinct to the mainland.
Waterside, the Authority’s main dredger, Sir Thomas Hiley, serviced Brisbane and northern Queensland ports. It played a central role in pumping sand ashore onto Fisherman Islands for the road-rail access embankment. It was
supported by the TSHD Echeneis and Clam Dredger Tridacna.
1980
Fisherman Islands officially opens
The Port of Brisbane at Fisherman Islands officially opened on 15 November 1980; the Authority held a gala day, marking a new era in Queensland trade.
1981–1982
First container vessel
In August 1981, Columbus Queensland became the first container ship to berth at Fisherman Islands, marking Brisbane’s arrival as a modern container port. The world’s largest cruise liner at the time, Queen Elizabeth II, made her inaugural call at Brisbane on February 24 1982, berthing at Fisherman Islands.
Early-mid 1980s
Rapid development
By end-1983, the Authority had overseen construction of two container terminals, a bulk coal export facility and bulk cement import installation, with a bulk grain terminal underway. The Seafarers Centre opened in April 1984 and Whyte Island tug base in 1987.
By 1986, more than $200 million had been invested in the port by the Authority, private enterprise and ‘like groups’, with container throughput passing 100,000 TEUs for the first time.
1988
Opening the port to the public
Organised public tours began at Fisherman Islands, with more than 1,000 school students visiting in the first year.
Early 1990s
Planning for growth and sustainability
The opening of the Authority’s new Whyte Island Operations Base and Port Control Centre strengthened operational coordination.
In the early 1990s, the Port laid the groundwork for sustainable expansion. Comprehensive environmental studies informed long-term planning, while in 1993 completion of a 3,000m ‘Super Bund’ at Fisherman Islands enabled the progressive reclamation of approx. 200ha of land.
Trade was growing — container volumes exceeded 200,000 TEUs in 1991/92 while grain was imported through Brisbane for the first time to assist Queensland’s drought-stricken farmers. By 1992/93, the Port was Australia’s largest beef exporting port while also handling over half the country’s cotton exports.
1994
Corporatisation
The Port of Brisbane Authority became the Port of Brisbane Corporation under the Government Owned Corporations Act 1993 from 1 July.
Mid 1990s
Connecting road and rail
A standard gauge rail line and the construction of the new Rail Intermodal Terminal (now the Brisbane Multimodal Terminal) connected Fisherman Islands to the national rail network, while a new major road and its overpass, Lucinda Drive, improved access to a growing port.
Late 1990s
Warehousing comes to the port
The Corporation began delivering warehousing facilities for customers on Fisherman Islands. Over time, designated precincts including warehousing and logistics, cotton storage and packing, and motor vehicles, established the Port as an integrated trade and logistics hub.
1998
A truly competitive port
Construction of three new berths (wharves 6, 7 and 8) expanded cargo handling capacity and saw Brisbane become the first Australian port to host three major marine terminal operators. As the Port grew, the Corporation relocated its head office from Brisbane’s CBD to Fisherman Islands.
2000
A new flagship dredge vessel
The dredge vessel, TSHD Brisbane, replaced the Sir Thomas Hiley, within the Corporation’s marine fleet. Along with Port of Brisbane, it supports regional Queensland ports, keeping trade moving and serving local communities.
Early 2000s
Deepening community links
Established in 2002, the Community Consultative Committee created a direct link between the Port and the local community. In the same year, the Port of Brisbane Visitors Centre officially opened on Fisherman Islands. The original building was relocated and donated to the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in 2014.
Mid 2000s
Planning for the long-term
In 2002, new-generation 4,100 TEU class vessels began calling in Brisbane. The Port’s 4.6km seawall was completed (Future Port Expansion Area), enabling long-term planning and progressive land reclamation of 230ha to support trade growth.
The Corporation delivered a major environmental legacy in 2005, constructing a 10ha shorebird roost at Fisherman Islands — the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere at the time, providing vital high tide roosting habitat
for migratory shorebirds.
Relocation of the motor vehicle trade from Hamilton was completed.
Late 2000s
Continued growth
Construction started on Stage 1 of the Port of Brisbane Motorway, funded by the Federal and State Governments with significant funds from the Corporation. During a period of continued investment and expansion, construction was also completed on berths 9, 10 and the General Purpose Berth.
2010
A privately owned port
In November 2010, the Queensland Government privatised the Port of Brisbane, transferring operating rights associated with the Port of Brisbane to a new privately-owned operating company – the Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd (PBPL) under 99-year leases.
2011
Flood recovery
Following major Brisbane River flooding in January, PBPL worked with Maritime Safety Queensland to support a multi-stakeholder effort to safely re-open the shipping channel and port operations. PBPL again coordinated port recovery efforts after flood events in 2013 and 2022 and ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in 2025.
2012
One million containers
Port of Brisbane recorded one million containers (TEUs) in a single year for the first time.
2013
Port West takes shape
PBPL welcomed national retailer, Bunnings, as the first customer to its 90ha Port West Industrial Estate in Lytton, the first of many global and national customers to call the estate home.
2014
Automation transforms container handling
Brisbane became the first Australian port where all container stevedores used automated container handling, following the opening of the Hutchison Port Holdings–operated Brisbane Container Terminal at berths 11 and 12.
This built on earlier automation by Patrick Terminals and DP World, including automated straddle carriers introduced at Patrick in 2005 (berths 7–9).
2016–2017
A leading port
In 2016 PBPL began a long-term partnership to rehabilitate degraded waterways in the Lockyer Valley, reducing sediment runoff and improving regional water quality. At Fisherman Islands, world-leading under keel clearance
technology (NCOS Online) developed by PBPL and DHI Seaport enabled larger container ships, including Lloyd Don Carlos (8,500 TEU) in 2016 and Susan Maersk (9,500 TEU) in 2017.
In 2017, Port of Brisbane was named Australia’s Port of the Year at the Australian Shipping & Maritime Industry Awards
2018
Safer, more efficient roads
Delivered by PBPL, the $110 million Port Drive Upgrade project is completed, improving safety and efficiency for road users while a second swing basin, ‘Koopa’, is constructed for container vessels
2019–2022
Shaping a sustainable future
PBPL launched its 2030 Sustainability Program, formalising a strong commitment to sustainability over the years. PBPL also embarked on its first Reconciliation Action Plan — an important step in its reconciliation journey.
During 2021/22, Port of Brisbane recorded 1.5 million TEUs for the first time.
2022
Brisbane’s new home for cruising
The $177 million Brisbane International Cruise Terminal opened, welcoming its first cruise ship, P&O Explorer.
2024
Leading sustainability innovation
PBPL achieved Net Zero Emissions (scope 1 and 2, with offsets) while trials of ‘Green Button’ began — technology developed with DHI Seaport to help reduce emissions attributed to commercial vessels transiting the Port’s shipping channel.
2025
Vision 2060: A new chapter begins
PBPL released Vision 2060, a 35 year roadmap focused on future proofing trade, strengthening Queensland’s economy and delivering a more sustainable, efficient port.