Fortescue has designed and constructed rail and port facilities to support the development and sale of the Pilbara's stranded iron ore bodies. Its philosophy is an open third party access regime for other mining users as espoused by the Government. Planning indicates, that once operating, it will be the bench mark in terms of operating costs for heavy haul railroads and port operations. Fortescue's open-access infrastructure will increase the throughput capacity of Port Hedland and remove a fundamental barrier to entry for junior mining companies. As a result, increased production, competition and efficiencies will result for the bulk mineral exports in the Pilbara region.

The rail and port assets are both owned by The Pilbara Infrastructure Pty Ltd (TPI) - a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortescue. TPI constructed the rail line using proven operating experience gained by the Fortescue executive management team in the heavy haul iron ore industry both locally and overseas. The design philosophy of both the rail and port operations has been established from extensive operating experience, in both the iron ore industry and, more importantly, the geographical area of the Pilbara.

The team is therefore qualified to meet the many unique challenges presented by both its isolation and extreme climatic conditions.

TPI signed an agreement with the State of Western Australia in December 2004 laying down the framework for the construction and operation of the railway and port. Fortescue has, on behalf of TPI, financed the port and rail infrastructure facilities through both debt and equity facilities.

Further funds have already been raised to optimise original plans to take advantage of the prevailing iron ore market.