Cairns Marine Precinct - Common User Facility
Background
The Cairns Marine Precinct (CMP) is a leading maritime destination in Northern Australia, supporting a diverse and well-established defence and commercial maritime maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector.
With growing defence, commercial and superyacht opportunities, the CMP is entering an exciting new phase. Working in partnership with the Australian Federal and Queensland State Governments, Ports North is committed to delivering the Common User Facility (CUF) which will provide the uplift in infrastructure needed to unlock future growth, strengthen industry capability and reinforce Cairns as a leading maritime maintenance hub for Northern Australia. The development of the facility will be supported by significant financial commitments from both State and Federal Governments underpinning the strong support for the project.
The Opportunity
Ports North is pleased to advise that Request for Proposal (RFP) Phase 1 for the Cairns Marine Precinct - Common User Facility (CMP-CUF) Co-Investment Opportunity has now commenced.
Ports North is proposing the development of the Cairns Marine Precinct – Common User Facility, a major maritime infrastructure project, to expand the marine vessel maintenance capability and capacity in Far North Queensland to support the continued growth of the region’s maritime industry. The proposed facility responds to increasing demand for maritime maintenance, repair, and overhaul services as global vessel fleets expand and age, alongside sustained investment in Australia’s maritime defence capability driving long-term sustainment demand.
Ports North has identified a Finance (co-funded), Design, Build, Operate and Maintain (FDBOM) commercial delivery model as the most efficient means of Project delivery to successfully facilitate achievement of the Project Objectives. As the Project will benefit from a significant contribution of funds from the Queensland and Commonwealth Governments, the physical facilities coming into existence as a result of the Project will be a common user facility available for use by the operator and customers including vessel owners and ship maintenance and repair service providers.
Ports North is seeking a private sector proponent to co-fund, develop, operate and maintain the facility under a long-term arrangement on Ports North-owned land at the Port of Cairns.
This RFP follows the successful completion of an Expression of Interest (EOI) process. Participation in the EOI process was not a prerequisite for participation in RFP Phase 1. Ports North welcomes registrations and proposals from organisations that did not participate in the EOI and may be engaging with the opportunity for the first time.
For more information, please contact the Cairns Marine Precinct – Common User Facility delivery team at: CMPenquiry@portsnorth.com.au
Upon registration, eligible participants will be provided with details regarding access to the RFP Phase 1 documentation and project information.
Purpose of this Request for Proposal
The purpose of this RFP is to elicit proposals from the market that address the Project Objectives and develop the CMP-CUF, including the following:
- the co-funding of the Project;
- the design, construction and commissioning of the CMP-CUF; and
- the operation and maintenance of the CMP-CUF on a common user basis.