A new high-capacity iron ore shiploader was due to arrive at the Geraldton Port today, in what Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said was the centrepiece of the multi-million dollar Berth 5 Iron Ore Expansion Project.
The full text of a Ministerial announcement is pasted below
The Geraldton Port's iron ore export capability is set to increase substantially with the arrival of a new high-capacity iron ore shiploader.
The custom-built shiploader is due to arrive by sea at Geraldton Port today on the St Vincent & The Grenadines flagged MV "Zhen Hua 21", a modified Panamax tanker designed to transport container cranes and bulk cargo shiploaders.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan today said that the iron ore shiploader was the centrepiece of the multi-million dollar Berth 5 Iron Ore Expansion Project.
"The Berth 5 project will enable the port to process at least 12 million tonnes of iron ore per annum - a great advance on the 3.5 million tonnes of iron ore per annum currently being exported through Geraldton," she said.
"On-site construction works began in February this year," Ms MacTiernan said.
"The shiploader's arrival and installation paves the way for completion of construction and facility commissioning before Christmas."
Ms MacTiernan said that the State Government project was the second major upgrade at the Geraldton port in five years, and would make a major contribution to the further development of the Mid-West iron ore province.
Geraldton MLA Shane Hill said this fantastic project showed the State Government's commitment to unlocking the potential of the Mid-West.
"The project builds on the southern transport corridor, port deepening and town centre upgrades, all of which are bringing social and economic benefits to the community," Mr Hill said.
"The new facility is designed to load iron ore at a rate of up to 5,000 tonnes per hour, enabling the typical iron ore vessel to arrive, load and sail within a 24-hour period,"
Ms MacTiernan said.
"This is a significant improvement on the 50 hours it currently takes to load these same vessels using the older, lower capacity Berth 4 infrastructure."
Ms MacTiernan said that the new facility would also improve equipment reliability and service levels and give the port's existing and future customers greater confidence when planning their operations and for ship scheduling.
