A sod-turning ceremony has marked the start of construction on a new $21 million Seafarers Centre at the Port of Port Hedland.
The contract for construction has been awarded to Benchmark Construction and Building, with the project expected to support local employment and contribute to the Pilbara economy throughout the build phase.
Once completed, the centre will provide a dedicated welfare and support space for seafarers calling at the port, including areas for rest, recreation and connection, alongside access to essential services.
Facilities will include a communal lounge with games and kitchen amenities, quiet areas, a library, meditation and prayer rooms, and a shared chapel. The site will also offer Wi-Fi access, SIM cards, and proximity to local services.
In addition, the centre will include public spaces designed to support visitors and tourism activity, including harbour tours and viewing terraces overlooking Marapikurrinya Park for ship spotting and recreation.
Seafarers play a critical role in sustaining Western Australia’s export supply chains, with the Port of Port Hedland handling around 43 per cent of global iron ore exports in the 2024–25 financial year. Around 150,000 seafarers are estimated to visit the Pilbara region annually.
The project design was shaped by stakeholder input to ensure the facility meets operational, environmental and welfare needs while aligning with local community expectations. The $21 million investment will be funded by Pilbara Ports, with costs recovered over time from iron ore customers including BHP, Fortescue, Hancock Iron Ore and Mineral Resources.
Stephen Dawson, WA Ports Minister, said the project represents a key step in improving welfare provision for visiting crews.
“This project has been carefully designed to ensure the centre is practical, fit-for-purpose and responsive to the needs of seafarers visiting Port Hedland,” he said. Kevin Michel MLA said the development would deliver long-term community and welfare benefits.
“It’s great to see the Seafarers Centre progressing forward with construction marking a major milestone in the Seafarers Centre development,” he said. Samuel McSkimming, CEO of Pilbara Ports, said the initiative reflects a broader shift in how seafarer welfare is supported across the port.
“Commencing construction on this project is a pivotal moment for Pilbara Ports, our community, and the many passionate supporters of the Seafarers Centre,” he said.
“It is the extraordinary effort of seafarers which connect the Pilbara to the world, contributing to Western Australian prosperity and security.”
The centre is expected to play a long-term role in supporting crew wellbeing at one of Australia’s most critical bulk export gateways.
In March, the new Lumsden Interchange on Great Northern Highway in Port Hedland, Western Australia, was completed, providing road access to Lumsden Point, a new port development led by Pilbara Ports.
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