The State Government has endorsed a revised Port of Port Hedland development plan to support proponents' throughput aspirations and maximise exports from Australia's busiest bulk export port.
The comprehensive review, undertaken by Pilbara Ports Authority, will enable the growth of iron ore exports to 660 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa), allowing port proponents to invest in landside infrastructure upgrades and advance their investment and growth strategies.
The amended port development plan facilitates:
The plan will also result in increased capacity at the common user berths within the Port, supporting growth in direct shipping to the Pilbara and increased exports by junior miners.
Extensive modelling was completed to inform the review and ensure the continued safe operation of the port.
Dredging will be undertaken to implement the plan - the requirements are based on international navigation guidelines and simulation studies conducted over the past 12 months, and are in accordance with existing environmental approvals.
Port proponents are being consulted on the key principles of the plan and formal documentation, including capacity allocations and development approvals, is expected to be finalised by mid-2022.
Comments attributed to Ports Minister Rita Saffioti:
"This review commenced in 2020 and it is pleasing to reach this point.
"The Port of Port Hedland Plan was last reviewed in 2012, when it set a total throughput of 495Mtpa.
"We have well and truly exceeded this, with the port achieving a total annual throughput of 546Mt last financial year - of which 523 million tonnes were iron ore exports by port proponents.
"This in part was made possible by investing in world-leading maritime technologies to maximise port efficiency and safety, which has seen a 6.9 per cent increase in potential shipping capacity at Port Hedland.
"We have made changes that will create jobs and provide certainty to industry.
"This updated plan will contribute to dredging and future development at Lumsden Point.
"I look forward to the plan being finalised in the coming months, which will support the long-term growth of the Port of Port Hedland."