Construction has commenced on a new Seafarers Centre at the Port of Port Hedland following a sod turning ceremony marking the beginning of the build.
The facility, awarded to Benchmark Construction and Building, will provide dedicated rest, recreation and welfare infrastructure for the approximately 150,000 seafarers who visit the Pilbara region annually.
The centre has been designed to serve as a welcoming and practical space for seafarers spending time ashore, incorporating a communal lounge with games and kitchen facilities, quiet areas, a library, meditation and prayer rooms, a shared chapel, Wi-Fi access and SIM card availability, as well as proximity to local shops and amenities.
The facility will also include public terraces and spaces supporting harbour tours and ship-spotting, connecting the centre to the broader Port Hedland community and the adjacent Marapikurrinya Park.
The Port of Port Hedland handles 43% of the world’s iron ore exports, making it one of the most strategically significant bulk commodity ports globally.
Seafarers operating through the port often spend extended periods away from home and family, and shore leave access is considered essential to maintaining their physical and mental wellbeing.
The AUD 21 million cost will be funded by Pilbara Ports and recouped over time from iron ore customers BHP, Fortescue, Hancock Iron Ore and Mineral Resources.
Pilbara Ports CEO Samuel McSkimming described the commencement of construction as a pivotal moment, framing the initiative as a generational shift in how seafarer services are conceived and delivered at port.
Ports Minister Stephen Dawson emphasised the Western Australian Government’s commitment to supporting the welfare of the crews whose work underpins the state’s export prosperity.
