PORTS North says onsite works for a major upgrade to Horn Island port will occur from 9 September this year.

The upgrade will significantly increase capacity and deliver safer and more accessible passenger facilities, the port authority says.

The Queensland Government-owned corporation further revealed the project will deliver a new pontoon, passenger waiting areas, and a pedestrian walkway.

The $11.1 million upgrade includes $4 million contributed by the Queensland Government and $7.1 million invested by Ports North.

Ports North says there will be minimal to no disruption to existing services and access during construction, apart from a short period in early October for driving in new piles, but otherwise ordinary work site noise is expected.

All construction is due for completion by the end of November, ahead of the wet season.

Once finished, the facility will include a raised walkway along the full length of the causeway which is compliant with standards for people with a disability.

A new pontoon will have waiting areas and roof cover to protect passengers from the weather, and will have the capacity to berth two 12-metre ferries at the same time, or vessels up to 25 metres.

Horn Island is an island in the Torres Straits Island archipelago, located off the coast of North Queensland, between Australia and Papua New Guinea.   

Ports North is responsible for the development and management of the declared Ports of Cairns, Cape Flattery, Karumba, Mourilyan, Skardon River, Quintell Beach, Thursday Island, Burketown and Cooktown.