News

Two new coal terminals for Port of Abbot Point

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation [NQBP] today announced the awarding of Preferred Developer status to BHP Billiton and Hancock Coal Pty Ltd for two major expansions at the Port of Abbot Point.

NQBP Chairman of the Board, Leonie Taylor said, “We are pleased to announce that the Queensland Government has endorsed proposals from BHP Billiton and Hancock Coal to build two new coal terminals at Abbot Point to export an estimated 110 million tonnes of coal per annum.”

“The new coal terminals will be single user terminals providing BHP Billiton with the capacity to export 30 Mtpa and Hancock Coal the capacity to export 30 Mtpa.

“Both BHP Billiton and Hancock Coal have expressed interest in working with NQBP in optimising the area to increase capacity from 30 Mtpa to 50 Mtpa for BHP Billiton and from 30 Mtpa to 60 Mtpa for Hancock Coal. This of course, would be subject to investigations and approvals.

“The Port of Abbot Point is situated next to the State Development Area offering enormous potential for industry growth and is a strategic port positioned to respond to industry demand”, she said.

The two new terminals will be located adjacent to the existing Government-owned Abbot Point Coal Terminal, which is currently undergoing upgrades to increase capacity to 50 Mtpa.

The Government intends to offer a 99-year lease over this existing Abbot Point Coal Terminal with the sale process to commence in late 2010.

“NQBP will now negotiate detailed framework agreements, which will underpin the planning and development of the terminals.

“These two projects have the potential to deliver a massive economic injection to central and northern Queensland,” said Ms Taylor.

The proposed BHP coal terminal will be fed by Queensland Rail’s Newlands coal rail system.

The Hancock Coal proposal is a comprehensive mine to port proposal which includes a purpose-built rail line from the Galilee Coal Basin to its coal terminal at the Port of Abbot Point.

“The Expressions of Interest (EOI) for development at Abbot Point was advertised in December 2009 and attracted a lot of interest and excellent applicants.

“The preferred developers were chosen because they offer the best opportunity to optimise the use of the land and achieve the best tonnage throughput.

“There will be significant upfront capital investment to build the terminals and associated rail infrastructure, increased mining royalties for the State and both direct and indirect job creation from mine to port,” said Ms Taylor

Aurecon Hatch has been engaged to undertake a study to identify the best site within the Abbot Point State Development Area for this further capacity. The study is expected to be completed by August 2010 at which time a further Expressions of Interest process may be undertaken if demand warrants.


For more information contact:
Mary Steele
NQBP Corporate Relations
T: (07) 3224 4346