TasPorts has released a major initiative to develop an export gateway at the Port of Burnie. They say it will provide a base for growth in Tasmanian mineral exports to the world.
TasPorts CEO Anthony Donald said that the Burnie Export Gateway initiative will bring significant trade and economic benefits to the state.
“This initiative will lay the foundation for exponential growth in Tasmania mineral exports to global markets, enabling capacity for larger vessels to berth and ensuring fit-for-purpose terminal infrastructure,” Donald said.
In August 2018 TasPorts released its Port Master Plan to guide a coordinated, state-wide vision for the future of Tasmania’s multi-port system. The Port of Burnie was identified as a key component of the Plan, with significant opportunity identified to enable growth in bulk mineral exports, along with scope to develop an international container terminal.
Following industry engagement over the last two years, TasPorts has evolved its planning culminating in the release today of the Burnie Export Gateway Initiative.
“Importantly, this initiative will enable exponential growth across multiple mineral exports, dry bulk cargo, forestry products and international containers to global markets, over a 30-year horizon,” Donald said.
“TasPorts understands that working alongside industry is critical in ensuring this infrastructure is aligned to market demand, both in terms of volume growth and timing.”
He said that the next step is to further engage with industry to develop a compelling business case which will deliver benefits to the industry and the state of Tasmania.
“TasPorts is committed to giving its stakeholders and community the confidence that it is actively future-proofing the state’s critical multi-port system.”
Key project benefits include:
• construction of dedicated bulk export terminal at a deep-water port within 30km of major iron ore deposits;
• construction of bulk export infrastructure enabling multi-commodity, multi-user export through the Port;
• future-proofing the Port with the capability to berth Cape size and Panamax bulk mineral vessels with a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of up to 85,000 and draft of up to 14.6m;
• enabling an additional 1.5–2 million tonnes of iron ore bulk mineral export per annum, generating an additional $3.5 million in mining royalties for the Tasmanian state government;
• actively supporting growth of throughput, lifting capacity by up to 22 additional sailings per annum at 70,000 tonnes per vessel;
• generation of up to 1,000 job years over the construction phase of the project, directly benefiting Tasmanian and Australian contractors, designers and supporting industries.
Labor has welcomed the updated TasPorts proposal for Burnie Port.
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Shane Broad recognised that the proposal would lead to “a much improved port and a brighter future for the region.”
“Labor has long argued that increasing the size of the ships that can berth in Burnie will make a huge difference to the economics of mining in Tasmania and create thousands of jobs,” he said.
“Reducing congestion at the port and conflicts between cruise ships and bulk exports is also desperately needed as we recover from COVID-19. This is an exciting proposal that could deliver the economic stimulus the north-west region needs.
TasPorts has said that work could start within months, with the project aiming for completion within the next five years.
What’s needed now is a commitment from government to fund the proposal rather than kicking the can down the road for another electoral cycle.”
Download TasPorts Project Brief on the Burnie Export Gateway Initiative here.
TASMANIAN TIMES: Burnie Paper Mill (1956).
