Westport

What Westport does

Westport is the Western Australian Government's planning program, administered as an office within the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure, established to resolve Western Australia's future container trade constraints by relocating container trade from Fremantle Port to a purpose-built facility at Kwinana. The program is responsible for designing port facilities, freight road and rail upgrades, and three planned intermodal terminals at Kenwick, Kewdale and Forrestfield, and is targeted to deliver a modern, sustainable port supporting WA's trade for another 100 years with container trade transition expected around 2038. Total project investment is estimated at AUD 7.2 billion in today's dollars, with AUD 273 million in WA State Government funding secured in November 2024 and AUD 33.5 million from the Federal Government.

The program's core product set comprises the Port Precinct (marine infrastructure including breakwater, shipping channel and turning bay), Road Upgrades (notably the Anketell-Thomas freight corridor managed by Main Roads WA), Rail Expansion (including duplication of approximately 8 km of freight rail line and level crossing removals), and three planned intermodal terminals. Underlying technical assets include the Integrated Ecosystem Model Platform, a high-resolution Water Quality Response Model simulating oxygen, nutrient cycling, sediment transport, turbidity and phytoplankton dynamics, contemporary high-resolution benthic habitat mapping covering Cockburn Sound, Owen Anchorage and Gage Roads, and the Ulysses robotic seagrass seed injector — an Australia-first trial developed by Ulysses Ecosystem Engineering with the University of Western Australia. Environmental programs include the AUD 13.5 million WAMSI Westport Marine Science Program (35 projects across 9 research themes) and the Seagrass Restoration Program.

Westport does not generate commercial revenue and is funded through government appropriations. The program operates a procurement-led go-to-market, with all opportunities advertised on the Tenders WA platform and a Professional Services Panel established across 14 disciplines. Customers and stakeholders comprise the Western Australian community and trade sector, freight and logistics operators, the Kwinana Industries Council, and Noongar Aboriginal communities (Whadjuk, Gnaala Karla Booja peoples) represented through a formal Noongar Reference Group. Marketing and engagement are delivered through LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube channels, the Navigate and Cockburn Sound Consultation Hub newsletters, community pop-ups, webinars and a comprehensive public document library.

Name

Westport

Legal name

Westport (Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure)

Website

https://westport.wa.gov.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Westport is the Western Australian Government's planning program to relocate container trade from Fremantle Port to a new Kwinana facility. It plans port, road, rail and intermodal infrastructure backed by an estimated AUD 7.2 billion investment and a major marine science research program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Port Infrastructure Planning

NAICS

Port and Harbor Operations (488310), Other Support Activities for Water Transportation (48839)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700), Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Terminals & Cargo Handling Infrastructure (RoRo, Bulk, Container) (IMAFAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Feeder & Short-Sea Container Terminals (TLAHAAAC), Off-Dock Container Yards (Near-Port Overflow Yards) (TLALAJAK)

Keywords

• Port infrastructure planning
• Container trade logistics
• Marine science research
• Freight supply chain
• Government infrastructure program

Headquarters

HQ city

Perth

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Westport is the WA Government's planning program to relocate container trade from Fremantle to Kwinana by designing and delivering a modern container port (Port Precinct with breakwater, shipping channel and turning bay), freight road upgrades (Anketell Road), rail expansion with duplication and level crossing removals, and three intermodal terminals at Kenwick, Kewdale and Forrestfield. The program also delivers enabling environmental research (WAMSI Westport Marine Science Program), the Seagrass Restoration Program and an Artificial Reef Study to support environmental approvals and nature-positive outcomes.

Product overview

Westport is the WA Government's planning program to relocate container trade from Fremantle to Kwinana, delivering a modern, sustainable and efficient port to support WA's trade for another 100 years. The program encompasses port facilities (Port Precinct with new marine infrastructure, breakwater, and shipping channel), road upgrades, rail expansion, and three planned intermodal terminals at Kenwick, Kewdale and Forrestfield. Supporting services include an Innovation Hub for industry collaboration, the WAMSI Westport Marine Science Program (35 research projects), Seagrass Restoration Program, and Artificial Reef Study. The government investment is estimated at $7.2 billion with construction expected from late 2020s to late 2030s.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Port Precinct Marine infrastructure for the new Kwinana Outer Harbour including the shipping channel, turning bay and breakwater that will support the relocated container trade.
• Road Upgrades Upgrades to major freight routes including Anketell Road to improve connections and ease congestion between Kwinana and Perth's freight and logistics hubs.
• Rail Expansion New connections and upgrades to the existing freight rail network including duplication of approximately 8km of freight rail line and level crossing removals to support the new container port supply chain.
• Intermodal Terminals (Kenwick, Kewdale, Forrestfield) Three planned intermodal terminals at Kenwick, Kewdale and Forrestfield providing industry with road, rail and intermodal freight facilities.
• Innovation Hub Online channel for industry, researchers, start-ups and technology providers to share solutions that could help shape WA's future container port and supply chain.
• WAMSI Westport Marine Science Program $13.5 million partnership with Western Australian Marine Science Institution delivering 35 research projects across 9 themes covering ecosystem modelling, benthic habitats, water quality, fisheries, hydrodynamics, social values, noise, apex predators and coastal processes to inform port design and environmental approvals.
• Seagrass Restoration Program Multi-year initiative spanning planning, construction and operational phases focused on restoring extensive seagrass meadows across Cockburn Sound and Owen Anchorage, including trials of robotic seagrass seed injection technology.
• Artificial Reef Study Feasibility study exploring the potential for new artificial reefs to provide environmental and social benefits in and around Cockburn Sound.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced truck movements: more than double current truck movements by 2051 at Fremantle will be eliminated
• +4 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• OzFish UnlimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 December 2024OzFish Unlimited received $500,000 in funding (totalling two years) to boost the WA-based Seeds for Snapper program and expand restoration activities in Cockburn Sound. This community-based restoration program, developed in collaboration with UWA researchers in 2018, has collected more than 5 million Posidonia fruit and dispersed more than 4 million seeds to restoration areas.
• Ulysses Ecosystem EngineeringcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 November 2024Ulysses Ecosystem Engineering designed and developed a robotic seagrass seed injector technology. The technology was selected for trial as it was designed for the Posidonia australis seagrass species found in Cockburn Sound and Owen Anchorage. The robot delivers seagrass seeds directly into sediment, improving planting efficiency and seed survival rates.
• University of Western Australia (UWA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024UWA researchers collaborated on the Seeds for Snapper program since 2018 and are managing the $230,000 investment in the Ulysses robotic seagrass seed injection technology trial. Professor Gary Kendrick from UWA's Oceans Institute leads seagrass research efforts.
• Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Westport established a $13.5 million partnership with WAMSI to deliver the WAMSI Westport Marine Science Program; one of the largest research projects ever undertaken in Cockburn Sound. The program includes 35 projects across 9 research themes covering ecosystem modeling, benthic habitats, water quality, fisheries, hydrodynamics, social values, noise, apex predators, and coastal processes. All reports and data produced are publicly available.
• Whadjuk Aboriginal CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWestport's Noongar Reference Group includes representatives nominated by the Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation, working to embed Noongar values into Westport's decision-making throughout the program's life.
• Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe port footprint extends into Gnaala Karla Booja Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs). Westport's Noongar Reference Group includes representatives from this corporation to ensure cultural values are recognized and traditional ownership respected.
• South West Aboriginal Land and Sea CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council is represented in Westport's Noongar Reference Group, contributing to cultural, social, economic and environmental guidance during Stage 4 of the program.
• WinyamaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWinyama is an Aboriginal-owned and operated business specializing in location intelligence. Westport partnered with Winyama to capture and map Cultural and Spiritual values, interviewing nine knowledge holders to document marine and terrestrial sites of significance.
• Australasian Railway AssociationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWestport works closely with and provides updates to industry associations including Australasian Railway Association regarding rail infrastructure planning for the new container port supply chain.
• Chamber of Commerce and Industry WAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustry association that Westport collaborates with to provide updates on port and supply chain development affecting WA businesses.
• Kwinana Industries CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWestport works closely with the Kwinana Industries Council and the industries and businesses in the Kwinana Industrial Area to identify opportunities for improvements within the area. Briefings are provided to the KIC Board as required.
• Main Roads Western AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMain Roads Western Australia is managing the development of the Anketell-Thomas Freight Road network and will manage the environmental assessment process for road infrastructure upgrades from Kwinana Freeway to the Kwinana Industrial Area.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Regional players

• Port of Newcastle: New South Wales diversified port handling containers, bulk, and general cargo, operated by a private lessee. Comparable function and Australian state-government landlord structure, though at smaller container scale.
• Port of Brisbane: Queensland's main container and bulk port, operated by a private lessee under a long-term state lease. Comparable container terminal design, intermodal integration, and Australian state-government landlord model.
• Pilbara Ports Authority: Western Australian Government-owned port authority managing Port Hedland, Dampier, and other bulk commodity ports. Closest state-level peer in operating model, governance, and Western Australian regulatory environment, though focused on bulk rather than container trade.
• Port of Melbourne: Australia's largest container and general cargo port, operated by a private lessee under a long-term lease from the Victorian Government. Comparable container-handling scale and Australian regulatory environment, with planning and investment cycles that parallel Westport's.

Broad incumbents

• Port of Rotterdam Authority: Europe's largest port, operating under a landlord model with deep experience in long-horizon port planning, environmental mitigation, and integrated hinterland transport. Comparable to Westport in scope and planning horizon.
• PSA International: One of the world's largest container terminal operators, headquartered in Singapore, with global terminal investments and a leading role in port digitalisation and automation. Directly comparable to the operating model Westport will ultimately need to enable at Kwinana.
• DP World: Global terminal operator with container port operations across Australia (including Brisbane, Sydney, Fremantle stevedoring) and worldwide. Provides a benchmark for the operational and technology model Westport's future terminal will need to accommodate.
• Port of Los Angeles: One of the largest container ports in the Western Hemisphere, operating as a landlord port authority with comparable container terminal planning, environmental stewardship programs, and multi-stakeholder community engagement.

Others

• Australian Rail Track Corporation: Australian Government-owned manager of the national interstate rail network, responsible for planning, funding, and delivering major rail infrastructure. Directly comparable organisational and governance model to Westport as a government planning entity delivering critical freight infrastructure.

Direct peers

• Fremantle Ports: Western Australia's existing container port operator at Fremantle, which Westport is explicitly designed to replace and whose operations will transition to Kwinana. Operates under the same WA landlord model and serves the same WA container trade customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC56UZy7IGfixqyBCe7GOpFw
• Facebookfacebook.com/61554372041906
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/westport-program

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Westport