QUEENSLAND ports will host visiting warships over the coming weeks as the military exercise Talisman Sabre unfolds along the state’s coast.

Exercise Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral training activity between the Australian Defence Force and the United States military.

Maritime Safety Queensland will be supporting the multinational military exercise, which is scheduled to run from 22 July until 4 August.

MSQ said regional harbour masters in Brisbane, Gladstone, Townsville and Cairns are preparing to navigate the safe arrival and departure of participating vessels.

It said there are strict contingency and port safety plans in place for all Queensland ports for warship visits, which also occur frequently outside the exercise.

“Exercise Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral training activity between Australia and the USA and is now in the tenth iteration of the biennial exercise,” MSQ general manager Kell Dillon said.

“Overall, there will be about 30,000 military participants, including other foreign navy allies.

“While all eyes will be on the military exercises, it is equally important for MSQ to keep international commercial shipping running smoothly in our ports and coastal shipping channels alongside the exercise.”

Military amphibious landings, ground force manoeuvres, air combat and maritime operations at locations across Queensland and along the coast are expected as part of the exercise.

MSQ’s ports and reef vessel traffic system will monitor and interact with commercial shipping transiting the exercise areas, as well as military shipping involved in the exercise, where appropriate.

The maritime agency said it is important to ensure the exercise is conducted safely and interactions between naval and recreational vessels are totally excluded or minimised.

MSQ plans to keep stakeholders informed through notices to mariners, gazetted notices and social media posts.

It has produced maps, charts and graphics to clearly define exercise areas and exclusion zones for recreational boaties.

MSQ intends to support public awareness updates alongside the Australian military, Queensland Police, port authorities and local councils.

MSQ said it has extensive experience in ensuring interactions between military, commercial and recreational shipping are conducted safely.

Some of MSQ’s senior managers, Mr Dillon, are ex-Royal Australian Navy commissioned officers. Several MSQ personnel have participated as naval reservists in Talisman Sabre exercises.