The Port of Mackay has welcomed the arrival of oil tanker BW Yarra on its maiden voyage.

NQBP Marine Pilot Phil Palmer guided the captain and crew into the port, presenting them with a commemorative plaque to mark the ship’s first journey.

Arriving late afternoon yesterday, the vessel discharged diesel on behalf of one of NQBP’s tenants.

NQBP Chief Executive Officer Steve Lewis said the port authority was proud to welcome the ship and her crew to the Port of Mackay.

Constructed in South Korea and commissioned in July 2017, the 228 metre-long ship was built for global shipping company BW Aldrich Pte Ltd.

The Port of Mackay is one of the largest multi-commodity ports in Queensland in terms of cargo throughput, and is also the largest regional fuel importing port in the state.

Last financial year imported petroleum products through the Port of Mackay increased from 1,380,251 tonnes to 1,401,112 tonnes (approx. 1.5%).

Petroleum products imported through the port are distributed throughout the Mackay region with diesel being the main fuel import used primarily by the region’s mining industry.