SHIPPING DEPARTURE PATH ENHANCES HAY POINT'S WORLD STATUS
Work has started on a $70 million dredging project at the Port of Hay Point, which will result in major operational efficiencies in shipping at the coal export port.
Work started earlier this week on the project which is one of the largest single dredging projects in the southern hemisphere this year.
Being undertaken by the port Authority, Ports Corporation of Queensland (PCQ), the project will result in a mega channel being created for coal bulk carriers departing the Port of Hay Point for international ports.
The largest dredge of its type in the world, the W.D. Fairway, arrived at Hay Point on the weekend from its previous project in China.
The international dredger has been involved in some of the largest dredging projects in the world and its work will boost Hay Point’s status as the world’s premier export coal port.
About nine million cubic metres of material will be removed to allow most ships to be loaded to their maximum draft when leaving the port.
Hay Point is the now the world’s largest coal port, exporting 85.54 million tonnes of coal in 2004/05, surpassing its traditional rivals for the title, Newcastle and Richards Bay in South Africa.
A comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project was completed and the environmental management initiatives for the project have already started and will continue until work finishes and beyond.
The environmental management deals with all identified issues, including the disposal of the dredged material.
The W.D.Fairway is fitted with the latest in environmental management technology.
A ship manoeuvring apron will be created adjacent to the existing berths and a 9.5km long path from this area to open waters.
The 1.8 metre increase in declared port depth will provide major benefits to port users including reduced short loading, resulting in more than one million additional tonnes of coal being able to be shipped annually from Hay Point.
Earlier sailing times will provide the equivalent of up to 1.8 million tonnes of infrastructure capacity at the port.
Some coal carriers are currently departing the port short-loaded due to draft depth restrictions, which was affecting port efficiency. Tens of millions of dollars in freight savings will now be achieved annually.
Dredging is expected to be finalised by the end of October.
The W.D.Fairway, owned and operated by international dredging company Boskalis, is a state of the art dredge, over 230 metres in length and able to carry loads of almost 60,000 tonnes.
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