Fremantle Ports

Fremantle Ports Fremantle Ports is a Western Australian Government trading enterprise that strategically manages the Port of Fremantle.

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flashback to November 1989 - aircraft carrier USS Midway enters Fremantle Ports Inner Harbour for the first time.USS Mid...
02/09/2026

flashback to November 1989 - aircraft carrier USS Midway enters Fremantle Ports Inner Harbour for the first time.

USS Midway was one of six US naval vessels carrying over 6,000 service personnel to Fremantle for a week’s R&R leave. At the time, Midway was the biggest ship to ever enter the Inner Harbour, being some 14 metres longer than the Cunard liner Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2), which first visited Fremantle in 1985.

Midway was able to berth because of the Fremantle Port Authority’s $30 million dredging project to deepen the harbour to 13 metres.

On her arrival, Midway had two Fremantle Port Authority pilots aboard and four tugs assisting her to berth at the Fremantle Passenger Terminal which was open for the duration of the fleet’s visit. The downstairs section of F Shed was open 24 hours per day and was the venue for giftshops, tourism/food outlets and for dances on the Friday and Saturday nights.

Other US naval vessels to berth in the Inner Harbour were USS San Jose, USS Bunker Hill, and USS Fife, with USNS Kilauea and USNS Andrew J Higgins berthing at HMAS Stirling, Garden Island.

Midway was commissioned in September 1945 just days after the end of World War II. She served for 47 years, playing a pivotal role during the Cold War, and participated in major operations such as the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm in 1991. USS Midway was the 20th century’s longest serving aircraft carrier.

Midway was decommissioned in 1992 and remained in the inactive ship fleet at Bremerton, Washington, until 2003 when she was donated to the nonprofit San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum organisation, before opening as the USS Midway Museum in 2004. In 2012 it became the first navy ship museum to host 1 million visitors annually.

Fremantle Chamber of Commerce WA Maritime Museum Fremantle Sea Rescue Fremantle Pilots Svitzer Australia Fremantle History Society Victoria Quay Shipwrecks & Ships Lost Perth Perth Reflects Perth Reflects Southern Ports Pilbara Ports USS Midway Museum USS Midway Museum Gage Roads Freo The Flying Angel Club Fremantle - Mission to Seafarers Inc Stella Maris Seafarers' Centre Fremantle Freo Harbour Bar

to May 1922 - SS Kwinana is blown ashore North of Rockingham.The 3,295-ton SS Kwinana, one of the State Shipping Servi...
26/08/2026

to May 1922 - SS Kwinana is blown ashore North of Rockingham.

The 3,295-ton SS Kwinana, one of the State Shipping Service’s early coastal steamers was washed ashore on what is now known as Kwinana Beach.

The vessel was built in England in 1892 as the cargo ship SS Darius. In 1912 she was bought by the State Shipping Service and refitted as a cargo/passenger vessel. Kwinana also carried livestock and on one voyage carried 780 head of cattle south to Fremantle. Kwinana also made periodic voyages to New Zealand and South Africa with timber, and to China with sandalwood.

Kwinana suffered several mishaps in her service with State Shipping Service. On Christmas Day 1920, whilst plying between Geraldton and Carnarvon, laden with timber and other cargo for Wyndham she caught fire. She continued onto Carnarvon however the fire soon spread. The Fremantle based tug Wyola was dispatched to assist, the fire was fully extinguished on 5th January 1921.

Kwinana eventually returned to Fremantle under her own steam on the 25th of March 1921 however, on arriving at Fremantle three days later she collided with the steamer Port Stephens.

SS Kwinana was now over 28 years old; no buyer could be found for the vessel, so the decision was made by State Shipping Service to scrap her. She was berthed at 9 Berth North Wharf for several months where all her fittings that survived the fire were removed.

On 9th December 1921 the hulk was towed to Careening Bay. During a severe storm in May 1922, she broke her moorings and was blown ashore about 3 miles north of Rockingham. The wreck became an attraction for many, the local postmistress quickly started marking the mailbags as “Kwinana Wreck”.

The area eventually became known as “Kwinana Beach”, and in 1937 the name Kwinana was adopted as the official name for the township.

Much of the wreck remained on the beach for almost 20 years before being partially blown up in May 1941. In 1959 the Fremantle Harbour Trust cut the wreck down to water level.

Parts of her hull are still visible, and her outline is quite distinctive from the air.

Fremantle Chamber of Commerce WA Maritime Museum Fremantle Sea Rescue Fremantle History Society Fremantle Pilots Shipwrecks & Ships Lost Perth Victoria Quay Svitzer Australia Southern Ports Pilbara Ports Perth Reflects The Flying Angel Club Fremantle Stella Maris Seafarers' Centre Fremantle

Fremantle Ports is proud to support the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation and the important role it plays in developing...
26/08/2026

Fremantle Ports is proud to support the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation and the important role it plays in developing confidence, leadership and teamwork in young Western Australians. Congratulations to everyone involved in completing this significant milestone and preparing STS Leeuwin II for the sailing season ahead.

to - the Port of Fremantle in 1976.General port scenes from 50 years ago.Fremantle Chamber of Commerce Fremantle Libra...
19/08/2026

to - the Port of Fremantle in 1976.

General port scenes from 50 years ago.

Fremantle Chamber of Commerce Fremantle Library WA Maritime Museum Fremantle Sea Rescue Fremantle Pilots Svitzer Australia Fremantle History Society Shipwrecks & Ships Lost Perth Freo Harbour Bar Victoria Quay Southern Ports Pilbara Ports Perth Reflects The Flying Angel Club Fremantle Stella Maris Seafarers' Centre Fremantle Ocean Liner Society - Passenger ships past and present

Every container tells a story.From the groceries on supermarket shelves to the products we use every day, the containers...
14/08/2026

Every container tells a story.

From the groceries on supermarket shelves to the products we use every day, the containers moving through Fremantle Ports help keep Western Australia connected to the world.

This year, Fremantle Ports achieved a record container trade result, handling 920,521 containers (TEU) during the 2025-26 financial year, a 3.7% increase on the previous record.

Behind every shipment is a network of customers, shipping and logistics partners, transport operators and port workers working together to keep goods moving across the State and beyond.

This milestone reflects the strength of WA's economy, our growing population and the important role trade plays in supporting jobs, businesses and communities across Western Australia.

A big thank you to everyone who contributed to this achievement, including our terminal operators and the many people who help keep our supply chains moving every day.

to - the Port of Fremantle in 1976.General port scenes from 50 years ago.Fremantle Chamber of Commerce WA Maritime Mus...
12/08/2026

to - the Port of Fremantle in 1976.

General port scenes from 50 years ago.

Fremantle Chamber of Commerce WA Maritime Museum Fremantle Sea Rescue Fremantle Pilots Svitzer Australia Fremantle History Society The Flying Angel Club Fremantle - Mission to Seafarers Inc Stella Maris Seafarers' Centre Fremantle Shipwrecks & Ships Lost Perth Victoria Quay Southern Ports Pilbara Ports Freo Harbour Bar Perth Reflects HMAS Stirling

Community safety remains our priority as North Mole stays closed following severe storm damage in June.Inspections have ...
11/08/2026

Community safety remains our priority as North Mole stays closed following severe storm damage in June.

Inspections have confirmed significant damage to the seawall, road shoulder and pedestrian areas, requiring major construction works and heavy machinery to restore the site and make it safe for public access.

Planning for repairs is underway, with works expected to take up to 12 months and a staged approach is being considered. We understand this closure is disappointing for many in the community and appreciate your patience while the repairs are completed.

Please continue to observe the safety signage and barriers in place. We will provide updates as repair planning progresses.

to - the Port of Fremantle in 1962.Almost 64 years ago, Perth proudly hosted the VII British Empire & Commonwealth Gam...
06/08/2026

to - the Port of Fremantle in 1962.

Almost 64 years ago, Perth proudly hosted the VII British Empire & Commonwealth Games with the Fremantle Harbour Trust at the time playing a prominent role in welcoming visitors to the State.

The story is picked up in the following extract from the Harbour Trust’s quarterly magazine of the day:

The Port of Fremantle, already the most glamorous Port in Australia, will be even more attractive during the period of the VII British Empire & Commonwealth Games to be held from 22 November to 1 December 1962. The varied colours of the newly painted Transit Sheds lining the Inner Harbour, combined with the muted tones of the Passenger Terminal, contrasting with the decorative bunting, will create a colourful spectacle for all visitors to the port.

The Port Authority intends to establish a “Visitors Centre” in North Wharf 10 Shed which will provide, amongst other facilities, a Post Office, Newsagent, Book Stall, Souvenir Shop, Cafeteria and an Information Desk, controlled by Port Authority Hostesses. Within this Centre a Games Information Bureau will be incorporated manned by members of the British Empire & Commonwealth Games welcoming committee.

Guests onboard the visiting “Hotel” ships at North Wharf, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, Groote Beer and Wanganella, and the many naval vessels, will have opportunity of viewing the most modern two-berth Passenger Terminal in Australia as an efficient ferry service will operate between the North side of the Inner Harbour (North Wharf) and the Passenger Terminal, situated on the south side on Victoria Quay”.

The Passenger Terminal will be open daily for the convenience of visitors. Both the Passenger Terminal and the Visitors Centre will cater for the interests of visitors by displaying industrial and other exhibits, such as the wool industry. Reading material will be made available within the comfortable lounges and a public address system will be equipped to play recorded music.

Arrangements have been made for all visitors to the Port to have access to the feeder bus service which will ply between North Wharf and the City of Fremantle. Transport will be provided each day to and from the various Games venues and hire cars and taxi services will be readily available.

Monday 26 November was proclaimed a State Public Holiday, and on this day, in addition to the hotel and naval vessels already in port, five overseas passenger liners arrived at Fremantle on scheduled voyages. Neptunia berthed at B Shed, Aurelia at E Shed, Arcadia at F Shed, Australia at G Shed. Canberra was a late arrival berthing at F/G sheds early evening following Arcadia and Australia’s departure. Canberra sailed for Melbourne at 3.15am the following morning. The five liners between them, bought more than 6000 passengers into the port on that day.

This publication highlights the voluntary efforts of various organisations in behind-the-scenes preparation before the official opening of the Games by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh on 22 November. Teamwork both before and during the Games will create even closer ties between the members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

The Port of Fremantle has an important role to play during the Games, and the Port Authority is proud to be associated with the preparation for an occasion which will be an unforgettable episode in the history of Western Australia.
Special mention was also made in the magazine of Fremantle Harbour Trust apprentice fitter Trevor Bickle winning the gold medal in the pole vault.

There were also 14 naval vessels from Australia, Britain, and New Zealand in port during the Games and it was estimated that 13,000 visitors were accommodated and catered for by the Harbour Trust during the period of the Games.

At 12 noon on Sunday 2 December1962, to the strains of “Waltzing Matilda” and “Maori Farewell” the liner Johan van Oldenbarnevelt slowly pulled away from North Wharf and set sail for Melbourne at the conclusion of the Games. She was given a typical Western Australian farewell and what a magnificent sight it was.

Wanganella departed 8 Berth the previous day for the Eastern States and the liner Groote Beer headed east on Monday 3 December by which time all the naval vessels had also taken their leave from Fremantle.

And so concluded a very busy and exciting chapter in the Port of Fremantle’s colourful history.

Fremantle Chamber of Commerce WA Maritime Museum Fremantle Sea Rescue Fremantle Pilots Fremantle History Society Shipwrecks & Ships Lost Perth Victoria Quay Svitzer Australia Southern Ports Pilbara Ports Freo Harbour Bar Perth Reflects The Flying Angel Club Fremantle - Mission to Seafarers Inc Stella Maris Seafarers' Centre Fremantle

to - the Singapore to Fremantle passenger/cargo service - 1933 - 1964The famous Alfred Holt & Co, better known as Blue...
29/07/2026

to - the Singapore to Fremantle passenger/cargo service - 1933 - 1964

The famous Alfred Holt & Co, better known as Blue Funnel Line, operated a shipping service between Singapore and Fremantle commencing in 1890. Up until 1936 the service was jointly operated with the West Australian Steam Navigation Company.

The 3678-ton Gorgon was built in 1933, however, was painted in Blue Funnel colours. Gorgon joined Centaur and Minderoo on the Singapore route. Minderoo was disabled and withdrawn from service in 1936.

Blue Funnel Line obtained full ownership of Gorgon and built a sister ship in 1936 the 3964-ton Charon which was delivered in 1936.

Charon and Gorgon together with Centaur operated the service to Fremantle until December 1941 when all three vessels were requisitioned for the war effort. In February 1942 Gorgon was sent to Singapore to embark evacuees, she managed to sail 4 days before the fall of Singapore and safely passed through the Banka Strait on her voyage back to Australia. Gorgon was converted to a troop transport and in April 1943 was bombed and set on fire in Milne Bay. Six crew members were killed and 28 wounded. After the fires were extinguished, an unexploded bomb was found in in one of her holds filled with ammunition. She resumed her transport activities after being towed back to Australia and repaired.

Charon, throughout the war, served as a stores issue ship in the Pacific.

Centaur was converted to a hospital ship and In November 1941 she was one of the ships used in the search for HMAS Sydney and found a lifeboat with survivors from the German raider Kormoran. Among the Germans rescued was the Kormoran's captain, Theodor Detmers.

On 14 May 1943, (AHS) Centaur was sunk enroute from Sydney to Cairns by a Japanese submarine off the Queensland coast with the loss of many lives.

Both Gorgon and Charon survived the war and returned to the Blue Funnel Line. Gorgon was refitted to carry 72 passengers whilst Charon could carry 88. The company was now providing a two-ship service between Singapore and Fremantle and offered two departures a month.

Charon and Gorgon remained on the Singapore to Fremantle service until 1964 when they were both replaced by the new 8262-ton MV Centaur which continued the very popular service until 1982.

Charon departed Fremantle for the last time on 10 May 1964 arriving in Singapore on 18 May. She finally went to the shipbreakers in Singapore in August 1965. Gorgon made her final departure from Fremantle on 21 July 1964 and on arrival in Singapore had completed 294 round trips. Not long afterwards she was sold to shipbreakers in Hong Kong.

Text reference - Emigrant Ships to Luxury Liners by Peter Plowman.
Images - Fremantle Ports - The West Australian - Australian War Memorial.

Fremantle Chamber of Commerce WA Maritime Museum Fremantle Sea Rescue Svitzer Australia Fremantle Pilots Fremantle History Society Shipwrecks & Ships Lost Perth Victoria Quay Southern Ports Pilbara Ports Freo Harbour Bar Perth Reflects The Flying Angel Club Fremantle - Mission to Seafarers Inc Stella Maris Seafarers' Centre Fremantle

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1 Cliff Street
Fremantle, WA
6160

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Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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