Cairns fast-tracks dredging after cruise ship diversions
Heavy silt buildup reduced parts of Trinity Inlet below the port’s designed nine-metre depth, disrupting calls by Carnival ships.
Maintenance dredging began on September 18 and was expected to continue into early November as Cairns worked to restore safe access for larger vessels to the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal. Queensland maritime authorities issued a navigation notice that day covering dredging in Cairns Harbour and Cairns Channel.
The work followed unusually heavy silt accumulation along the cruise navigation route. Sections of Trinity Inlet had become too shallow for some deep-draught ships to safely reach the downtown terminal, requiring itinerary and berthing changes.
Carnival Encounter was unable to make its scheduled Cairns call on September 9 and instead diverted about 350 kilometres south to Townsville. Carnival Splendor also avoided the downtown terminal, anchoring off Yorkeys Knob while passengers were carried ashore in smaller boats.
Townsville recently completed a A$251 million channel-widening project designed to accommodate vessels measuring up to approximately 300 metres in length.