Construction of the first stage of a third coal export terminal for the Port of Newcastle is now under way.
Financial arrangements for the project were completed in January 2008, and the Board gave the immediate go-ahead for construction of the 30 Mtpa facilities, expected to take about two years. The terminal is targeted to be ready to load first coal in the first quarter of 2010.
Partners in project include BHP Billiton (through Hunter Valley Energy Coal) Centennial Coal, Donaldson Coal, Peabody Energy (through Excel Coal), Felix Resources and Whitehaven Coal.
Construction of the new coal terminal on Kooragang Island will significantly increase the export capacity of the Hunter Valley coal chain which is currently around 95 Mtpa in 2008.
“NCIG is pleased to have the opportunity to build new infrastructure capacity to significantly grow the volume of coal that can be exported from Newcastle.”
“Following strong competition with Port Waratah Coal Services for the right to construct and operate a third loader in the port, Brian Flannery reiterated that NCIG’s primary goal is to maximise the productivity of the coal chain.”
NCIG Acting Chairman Brian Flannery
Media Release 13 April 2007