$1 billion boost to coal exports at Abbot Point

News was prepared under the information support of Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and international Shipping "Hellenic Shipping News".

31 Aug 2010

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan yesterday toured the Port of Abbot Point to view firsthand the major expansion currently underway. Ms Nolan said the Abbot Point X50 Expansion Project, valued at almost $1 billion, was one of several projects planned to increase export capacity at the port “This is a hugely significant project for the state economy, as well as for the international demand for Queensland’s coal,” Ms Nolan said.
“This project will more than double current export capacity at Abbot Point from 21 million tonnes per annum ( Mtpa ) to 50 Mtpa by mid-2011.
“In April this year the Bligh Government awarded Preferred Developer status to BHP Billiton and Hancock Coal Pty Ltd to build two new coal terminals at Abbot Point, which will increase coal export capacity to an estimated 160 Mtpa.
“Plans to expand port facilities are critical for the state as the Port of Abbot Point is adjacent to the Abbot Point State Development Area offering enormous potential for industry growth.”
Ms Nolan said to accommodate export growth, North Queensland Bulks Port Corporation ( NQBP ) was planning a Multi Cargo Facility to support a range of industries, and could accommodate up to 12 large cape size vessels.
“These berths will be designed to support the export of coal and the trade of other cargoes,” Ms Nolan said.
“What is distinctive about the Multi Cargo facility is that it will allow growth within established boundaries and will provide shared access for a range of industries avoiding single user facilities emerging along the Queensland Coast and encroaching into the marine park.
“For this reason it is seen as the best environmental outcome for long-term strategic port development.
“The Bligh Government intends on playing a pivotal role in sustainable port growth to accommodate the potential range of industry settling in the Bowen State Development Area as well as establishing new and important assets for Queensland.”
Media contact: 3237 1111
Four new stacker reclaimers for Abbot Point were commissioned for a total investment of approximately $135 million and were built primarily in Queensland.
The X50 Expansion Project includes the construction of a second berth located 2.9 kilometres off-shore that will involve the installation of approximately 9,500 tonnes of structural steel and a 2.9 kilometre conveyor along the jetty to transport the coal from the stockyard to the ships.

Source: Abbot Point