Western Australia (WA) plays a huge role in the nation’s import and export activity, with ports handling everything from mining and agriculture to consumer goods and project cargo. Each port operates under its own authority and has specialised capabilities, requirements and regulations. Navigating them is tricky if you’re not familiar with the details.
That’s where Stockwells comes in. Stockwells has over 50 years of experience in international freight, and our WA team helps clients move cargo smoothly, efficiently, and compliantly through ports like Fremantle, Geraldton, Karratha/Dampier, Port Hedland, and Bunbury. Our in-house customs brokers work closely with you to plan ahead, minimise delays, and keep shipments moving safely every step of the way.
We spoke with Austyn Gambell, WA Manager, to get his take on the unique challenges and opportunities of importing and exporting in WA, and how Stockwells supports businesses across the state.
Q: What WA ports do Stockwells work through most frequently and why?
Austyn: Most of our WA freight, about 95%, moves through Fremantle Port, the main gateway for Perth. Port Dampier is used for large mine belts, as it’s closer to the mine sites our clients serve. Port Hedland is used less often, only when specific mine sites require it.
Q: What cargo types are most common across each port?
Austyn: Fremantle Port handles a variety of goods, supporting both local Perth needs and nearby mining operations. Port of Dampier primarily deals with mining equipment imports and exports like iron ore, salt, and scrap. Port of Hedland sees similar mining-related cargo, depending on the site.
Q: What are the biggest differences between Fremantle and regional ports from a cargo handling perspective?
Austyn: Fremantle has plenty of dedicated equipment to handle all types of freight quickly and efficiently. Regional ports, on the other hand, are more focused on specific commodities like salt and iron ore, which are loaded onto bulk-style vessels via conveyor belts rather than shipping containers. They can still handle containers, but in much smaller volumes, so the equipment reflects that.
Q: Are there any port capacity issues customers should be aware of?
Austyn: At Fremantle, there’s often a backlog of vessels over the weekend, so a lot of containers are discharged then. Most deliveries happen earlier in the week, and things tend to slow down towards the end of the week before the cycle starts again.
Q: What delays or problems do clients most often face when importing into WA?
Austyn: At the moment, the Fremantle Bridge closure is causing traffic delays for trucks coming in and out of the port. This is leading to longer transit times both entering and leaving Fremantle.
Q: How does port congestion affect lead times?
Austyn: Port congestion in WA, especially at Fremantle, can have a big impact on freight lead times. When terminals get busy, vessels may have to wait offshore for a berth, which pushes back discharge schedules. Once alongside, limited yard space and terminal capacity can slow unloading and container release.
The effects don’t stop at the port gate. Congestion can delay container availability, increase truck turnaround times, and tighten booking windows for transport operators. In some cases, export cargo can even miss vessel cutoffs and be rolled to the next sailing. For businesses relying on reliable supply chains, lead times can extend from a couple of days during mild congestion to a week or more during peak periods. This is why Stockwells’ decades of experience in WA freight allows clients to plan around these challenges effectively.
Q: What port-specific requirements catch people off guard (quarantine, scanning, inspections)?
Austyn: Many delays at ports actually come down to small details people don’t expect. Slot booking systems, tight export cutoffs, and strict compliance around weights and documentation can all hold cargo up. Even after a container is discharged, it might not be immediately accessible if it’s buried in the stack. Missing a truck slot or receival window can quickly delay a movement by a day or even a full sailing. It really highlights the importance of understanding port processes, not just the shipping itself.
Q: What are the most important compliance rules importers need to know for WA ports?
Austyn: Importers need to make sure cargo is correctly declared with the Australian Border Force and meets biosecurity requirements through the Department of Agriculture before it can be released. Accurate container weights and matching documentation are also essential. Mismatches are a common cause of delays. On top of that, importers need to understand their Chain of Responsibility obligations for road transport leaving the port. Missing any of these requirements can quickly hold containers at the terminal and add days to delivery times.
Q: How do Stockwells’ in-house customs brokers simplify clearance?
Austyn: Stockwells’ customs brokers make clearance easier by managing the entire process directly. Import declarations, biosecurity requirements, and documentation are all handled internally, which helps reduce delays and catch issues early. Because the brokerage and transport teams work closely together, containers can move from clearance to delivery much faster. It also gives clients a single point of contact and better visibility across the whole shipment.
Q: How does early planning reduce costs for WA importers?
Austyn: Early planning helps WA importers avoid extra costs once cargo arrives. By preparing documentation, booking transport in advance, and checking biosecurity or customs requirements ahead of time, containers can be cleared and collected more quickly. This reduces the risk of storage, detention, or demurrage charges and allows better coordination with transport providers, often leading to faster and more cost-effective deliveries.
Stockwells’ in-depth understanding of WA ports ensures these plans are realistic and efficient, helping clients avoid unnecessary delays or charges.
Q: How does your WA team support regional businesses?
Austyn: Our WA team supports regional businesses by coordinating freight between major ports and remote locations across the state. With experience handling mining, industrial, and project cargo, the team manages everything from customs clearance to road transport and final delivery. This gives regional companies reliable logistics support without having to deal with multiple providers and keeps freight moving efficiently in areas where supply chains can be more complex.
Q: What tools or tracking systems help clients stay in control of their shipments?
Austyn: We help clients stay in control through our Track and Trace platform and client portal. They can monitor shipments in real time, access documents, and get status updates all in one place. GPS tracking and integrated logistics systems give even deeper visibility across the supply chain, so businesses can plan ahead and respond quickly if anything changes.
Q: Are new port expansions, upgrades or technologies expected to impact importers?
Austyn: The Fremantle Traffic Bridge closure is already affecting freight into the port, with truck traffic being diverted to other crossings. This is creating more congestion and could extend delivery times for importers while the bridge is closed, which is expected to be around 12 months from February 2026.
Looking further ahead, WA is planning the Westport container terminal at Kwinana. Once operational in the late 2030s, it will shift container trade from Fremantle and support growing freight demand. In the short term, changes like the bridge closure may create challenges, but long-term projects like Westport are designed to improve capacity and efficiency across WA supply chains. Through it all, Stockwells’ local knowledge and dedicated WA team mean our clients have the support and guidance they need to navigate these changes smoothly.
At Stockwells, we know that navigating WA’s ports can be complex, from Fremantle to Dampier and beyond. That’s why our WA team, led by Austyn Gambell, works closely with every client to plan, manage customs, and keep shipments moving efficiently. It’s this hands-on local knowledge and experience that makes a real difference for businesses across the state.
If you want a logistics partner who knows WA ports inside out and is there to guide you every step of the way, get in touch with us today.