Advancing investments in Port of Port Hedland development

A revised Port of Port Hedland development plan – supporting a 41 pct increase in capacity – has been endorsed by the Western Australian Government.

The comprehensive review, undertaken by Pilbara Ports Authority, is set to enable the growth of iron ore exports to 660 million tonnes per annum, allowing port proponents to invest in landside infrastructure upgrades and advance their investment and growth strategies.

The amended port development plan facilitates:

• the development of an additional iron ore export berth, Stanley Point Berth 3;
• a future bulk liquids berth in South West Creek;
• the development of a second general cargo berth at Lumsden Point;
• increased capacity allocations of approximately 25 per cent for existing port proponents BHP, Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) and Roy Hill;
• new allocations for the future development of Stanley Point Berth 3 – which, subject to all necessary approvals to develop being obtained, would be allocated to the recently announced joint venture between Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd and Mineral Resources Limited;
• a new FMG shiploader on Anderson Point Berth 5 to support exports from the Iron Bridge project.

According to the Ports Authority, this plan will also result in increased capacity at the common user berths within the port, supporting growth in direct shipping to the Pilbara and increased exports by junior miners.

Also, extensive modelling was completed to inform the review and ensure the continued safe operation of the port.

Dredging will be undertaken to implement the plan – the requirements are based on international navigation guidelines and simulation studies conducted over the past 12 months, and are in accordance with existing environmental approvals.

Commenting the latest news, Ports Minister Rita Saffioti said: “This review commenced in 2020 and it is pleasing to reach this point.”

“The Port of Port Hedland Plan was last reviewed in 2012, when it set a total throughput of 495Mtpa.

“We have well and truly exceeded this, with the port achieving a total annual throughput of 546Mt last financial year – of which 523 million tonnes were iron ore exports by port proponents.

“This in part was made possible by investing in world-leading maritime technologies to maximise port efficiency and safety, which has seen a 6.9 per cent increase in potential shipping capacity at Port Hedland.

“We have made changes that will create jobs and provide certainty to industry.

“This updated plan will contribute to dredging and future development at Lumsden Point.“

Port proponents are being consulted on the key principles of the plan and formal documentation, including capacity allocations and development approvals, is expected to be finalized by mid-2022.

The Port Development Strategy 2030 supports the achievement of Pilbara Ports Authority’s vision and is the overarching document in the Port Planning Framework. 

The strategy establishes land use, infrastructure development and logistics objectives for the planning and development of Pilbara Ports Authority’s ports until 2030.

Also, it sets the planning direction for individual port land use master plans.

Pilbara Ports Authority has identified Lumsden Point as the preferred location for additional general cargo facilities to facilitate existing and new trades by alleviating pressure on the existing public berths at the Port of Port Hedland.

The development involves dredging of channel access and turning basins, two new multi-user berths, landside serviced logistics hub and a central access road and services corridor.

The logistics hub area is in close proximity to the Great Northern Highway and is intended to provide a variety of infrastructure and facilities.

According to the Ports Authority, these facilities will support cargo importers and exporters, port users and service providers.