The Australian Bicentennial year saw two spectacular displays of sailing ships in selected Australian ports, including Fremantle. These were the Tall Ships Race and the First Fleet Re-enactment Voyage. Vessels from both fleets made Fremantle a port-of-call and enthusiastic locals welcomed (and farewelled) them from every vantage point.

The Government of Western Australia, with cooperation from Fremantle Port Authority and the Department of Fisheries, gave approval for the first commercial mussel farm project to commerce in Cockburn Sound.

An area of 68 hectares was allocated for the first commercial mussel farming venture. The longline method was used for farming the mussels.

28 April 1988

The "Portland" made its maiden voyage to Fremantle on 28 April, 1988,introducing a new concept i.e. shipping built primarily for bulk cargo but with inbuilt cranes and a capacity to handle containers.

19 October 1988

On 19 October 1988, the then Minister for Transport and Planning, Mr Bob Pearce, officially launched the "Sea Freight 2000 Project". The project had three essential elements :

1. the Inner Harbour was dredged to 13 metres to provide for larger container ships drawing up to 12.5metres.
2. the dredged spoil was used to create 25-30 hectares of commercial real estate for port related industries.
3. A new harbor for small commercial vessels was created within the reclaimed area.

The $30 million harbour deepening project was completed in July 1989, enabling the largest container vessels visiting Australia to access Fremantle's Inner Harbour fully laden.