PONANT’s Le Jacques Cartier Marks the Launch of Broome’s Tide-Independent Berth

The French expedition vessel Le Jacques Cartier, operated by PONANT, recently made its inaugural arrival at the newly completed floating wharf in Broome, Western Australia. This marks a key development for the Port of Broome’s maritime infrastructure, enhancing its capabilities for handling large cruise vessels.

The floating wharf has been constructed by the Kimberley Marine Support Base (KMSB) and is designed to address significant navigational challenges faced by the region due to extreme tidal fluctuations, which can reach several meters within a single tide cycle. The wharf links to the shoreline through a causeway that allows it to rise and fall with the tides, ensuring consistent access for cruise ships, irrespective of tidal conditions. This development is anticipated to improve cruise operations and overall maritime logistics at Broome.

Before the construction of the floating facility, the fixed jetty limited the types and sizes of vessels that could dock safely during varying tidal heights. With the new berth, Broome is poised to see increased cruise deployment and support tourism-related maritime traffic, as well as general supply movements.

The completion of this facility aligns with efforts to establish Broome as a primary entry point for international passenger ships, potentially allowing certain cruises to embark or disembark in Broome without additional calls to other locations on the Australian coastline. Continued collaboration among cruise industry stakeholders, port authorities, and government entities aims to synchronize infrastructure with the necessary regulatory and customs processes.

Le Jacques Cartier’s inaugural use of the floating wharf not only tests the new facility’s functionality but also signals the growing integration of cruise services within the northern Australian maritime framework.

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