Fortescue’s Herb Elliott Port is undergoing a major works program as part of the US$8.4 billion expansion which will be carried out in the Pilbara region over the next two years.
The Port expansion will support an increase in tonnes received from the existing Chichester Hub and the new Solomon Hub.
Fortescue currently has approval to expand the Port to four berths, plus associated infrastructure:
- A second and third train unloader;
- A third stacker;
- A second and third reclaimer;
- A third and fourth shiploading berth (AP3 and AP4); and
- A second and third shiploader.
Fortescue’s negotiations with the Port Hedland Port Authority for permission to construct a fifth shiploading berth are awaiting the completion of a review of the commercial operations of Herb Elliott Port initiated by the Minister for Transport.
Expansion works at the port are on schedule and on budget. Major contracts have been awarded and contractors mobilised to site where the workforce is now in excess of 500.
The wharf structure for the third berth, inclusive of a new shiploader, has been installed with the final works now being completed to have the integrated system operational during the March Quarter 2012.
Construction work on the train unloader has commenced and first major concrete pours have been completed. This work on the second inload circuit is scheduled for completion in September 2012 and at this time the installed capacity of the port will be over 100mtpa.
Dredging and sheet piling work in the South West Creek for the fourth berth is nearing completion and the world’s largest cutter suction dredge ship the Jan de Nul finished its primary works program.