The Government of Western Australia has committed to providing A$7m ($5m) to solve various issues at Broome Port, which is currently the largest deepwater port servicing the country’s Kimberley region.
The commitment is also expected to allow cruise liner Carnival Australia to return to Western Australia (WA) and withdraw its threat to discontinue services within the region.
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Last year, the company expressed its intention to cease home-berthing its P&O and Princess Cruise ships in WA unless problems at various regional ports were properly resolved.
However, the current state government has blamed inaction on the part of previous WA Governments as the reason for Carnival Australia withdrawing its P&O ships from WA in April.
The withdrawal is estimated to result in a loss of A$135m ($104m) in cruise-related spending per year, along with 400 jobs across WA.
Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan said: “Cruise shipping is a vital component of Western Australia's A$10bn ($7.8bn) tourism industry.
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By GlobalData“In 2016-2017 the sector contributed A$387.4m ($300m) to Western Australia's economy, supporting about 1,300 jobs.
“This positive outcome is a result of three ministers and their agencies working together to make things happen.”
The current WA Government's latest commitment is also expected to restore jobs in the area.
Dredging is planned to be carried out next year at Broome Port in order to allow cruise ships all-tide access to the facility.
Work is also underway to install shore tension units at Geraldton Port in WA as part of the commitment.
In addition, Carnival Australia has agreed to homeport its Princess Cruises-class vessel Sun Princess in Fremantle, WA, late next year.
