Fortescue Metals Group today officially opened the $US2.4 billion expansion of its port facilities in Port Hedland.
WA Treasurer and Transport Minister Troy Buswell officially opened FMG’s fourth berth at Herb Elliott Port, representing the last major component of an expansion that has lifted the company’s export capacity to 155 million tonnes per annum.
Fortescue described the new berth as another crucial step towards its $US9 billion plan to triple production capacity across its mine, port and rail operations by the end of the calendar year.
Fortescue chief executive Nev Power said the berth works were completed with the company’s revised schedule and budget.
“Today, we’ve taken a significant step towards the completion of our expansion to 155 million tonnes per annum,” he said.
The port expansion included the construction of two new berths, a second and third outloading and inloading circuit, two shiploaders, two reclaimers, one stacker, two train unloaders, 15.5 kilometres of conveyor systems, transfer stations, drive stations, two sample stations, power and control systems and associated infrastructure.
Fortescue said it had secured approval to construct a fifth berth at Herb Elliott Port, which would allow it to further develop its highly successful and efficient lay-by berth configuration.
Fortescue expects to begin the construction later this year.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/18510937/fmg-opens-new-hedland-port-berth/