Trade and circular economy opportunities for port infrastructure

In Australia, 99% of international trade is moved by sea, making ports a critical driver of jobs and economic activity. As the world transitions towards low-carbon solutions, global trade profiles are expected to evolve. Ports are uniquely positioned as gateways to support decarbonisation, supply chains enhancement, circularity and a sustainable future for global trade.

iMOVE, The University of Queensland (UQ) and North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Limited (NQBP) are collaborating to explore future-proofing strategies for alternative fuels, integrated with circular economy principles, at the Port of Mackay and its associated infrastructure.

This project will enhance understanding of hinterland supply chains and stakeholders across North Queensland, identifying opportunities for the adoption of future fuels and the integration of closed-loop or circular principles.

Participants

• North Queensland Bulk Ports
• University of Queensland
  

Project background

Australia moves 99% of its international trade through ports. At both national and regional levels, ports are a primary driver of the economy and workforce. Nationally, our trade contributes $264 billion annually to Gross State Product (GSP) and supports 694,000 jobs (Ports Australia, 2024). Across four trading ports operated by NQBP, the organisation contributes $35 billion annually to GSP and 47,000 jobs across Queensland (NQBP, 2024). In a changing world, it is imperative that NQBP understands ongoing shifts in expectations, geopolitics, and climate—particularly where they impact trade, economic contributions, business resilience, and the environment.

As a Government Owned Corporation (GOC), NQBP operates four trading ports in Queensland: Weipa, Abbot Point, Mackay, and Hay Point. Uniquely, three of NQBP ports are located within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA). Given the need to balance trade facilitation with environmental stewardship, it is critical that NQBP explore a future pathway that adopts a holistic and integrated approach to sustainability–considering social, environmental, economic, and community aspects.

Part of NQBP’s sustainability commitments will include a focus on building a ‘circular future’ and ‘future-proofing trade’. NQBP’s current trade profile is predominantly focused on dry bulk commodities, including metallurgical and thermal coal, with smaller volumes of bauxite, sugar and grain.
\In collaboration with UQ, this project explores future trade and circular economy opportunities, including future fuel hubs, alternative energy precincts, and circular port models embedded in future commodity supply chains. This work forms part of the first iMOVE ports initiative, developed in partnership with UQ’s Sustainable Infrastructure Research Hub (SIRH), to establish a future fuels and circularity framework supporting a lower-carbon future.

Through SIRH’s global partnerships—including Universidad de los Andes (Uniandes) in Colombia and Kühne Logistics University (KLU) in Germany—the project draws on international expertise in sustainable ports and transport systems. Uniandes is a regional leader in freight sector sustainability research, working closely with industry and government stakeholders.

Project objectives

1. Enhance evidence-based frameworks for strengthening port resilience by examining future trade and circular economy opportunities, with the aim of better understanding potential trade diversification for stakeholders within North Queensland port supply chains.
2.  Improve the decision-making process for forecasting supply and demand across supply chains, as NQBP and its stakeholders transition to a net zero emission future.
3. Deliver a future fuel and circular economy model for the Port of Mackay that supports economic growth, trade resilience, and incorporates social and environmental considerations for NQBP.

Please note …

This page will be a living record of this project. As it matures, hits milestones, etc., we’ll continue to add information, links, images, interviews and more. Watch this space!