Loading minerals sands and other products direct from trucks to bulk ships is set to become simpler as construction starts on a $52 million materials handling facility at Geraldton Port.
The materials handling facility is the first part of a $350 million Port Maximisation Project which is set to greatly improve the capacity of Geraldton Port and help drive new exports from the Mid West region of Western Australia.
The new facility will streamline the loading of mineral sands and other products directly by conveyor from truck to bulk vessels alongside Berth 4 by increasing the speed of loading. The management of dust emissions has been incorporated into its design, which is fully enclosed and features dust extraction systems.
Ports Minister Stephen Dawson says it is a critical project for the area.
“Geraldton Port is critical to the economic development of our Mid West region and the State, providing a gateway for high value agricultural and mineral products which are exported to the world,” Minister Dawson says.
“This new facility marks an important milestone in the Geraldton Port Maximisation Project and will improve safety, environmental and efficiency outcomes across the entire port.
“Export tonnage through Geraldton will only continue to grow, with more grain, iron ore and minerals exports handled every year.
“I am thrilled to see this transformational project get underway.”
Minister for the Mid West, Jackie Jarvis, says the Geraldton Port upgrades would boost the local community.
“By future-proofing the infrastructure at Geraldton Port, our government is investing in the Mid West community’s future and ensuring a pipeline of valuable local jobs for decades to come,” Minister Jarvis says.
“These new facilities will strengthen supply chains for the State’s important grain industry and our farmers, as well as enabling the export of new commodities out of Geraldton to help grow new industries in the region.”
The new materials handling facility will include a state-of-the-art washdown water treatment system which will see washdown water treated, reused and recycled.
Construction of the truck unloading facility is expected to be complete in late 2026.
The next project in the PMaxP pipeline is the proposed Surge Protection Breakwater, which will address wave action restrictions that prevent ships entering and exiting the port which currently cost the port 30 lost productive days per year.
The project is currently under assessment by the WA Environmental Protection Authority.