A port capacity and productivity review has led to the approval of expansion projects at Port Headland
August 27, 2012
The Port Hedland Port Authority (PHPA) has completed a whole-of-port review of its productivity and capacity utilisation, leading to the approval of expansion projects at the port.
According to Transport Minister Troy Buswell’s, the review identifies under-utilised capacity available at the port and a number of development opportunities to access that capacity.
In line with the review, Buswell and the PHPA have approved the following developments, subject to the State Agreement processes:
– Fortescue Metals Group is able to develop the AP5 berth for iron ore export, with one ship loader servicing both AP4 and AP5
– North West Infrastructure is able to develop two berths for iron ore export, in South West Creek, with their operations able to remain in the inner harbour
– BHP Billiton Iron Ore is able to develop two additional berths within the company’s existing state agreement tenure at Burgess Point.
Buswell says the review arrangements do not involve an increase or decrease in the export capacity allocations for any port user.
“These developments will see the PHPA optimising its export capacity within the inner harbour and are a significant step towards the port realising its target throughput capacity of 495Mtpa,” he says.
“These initiatives represent an advance for both the junior miners and the major iron ore companies at Port Hedland.”