Australia’s Wiggins Island coal terminal to export by mid-2014

The 27Mta coal terminal, located at Golding Point, Queensland, is owned by eight coal producers, including Bandanna, and will be operated by the Gladstone Ports Corporation. The new terminal aims to provide a boost to existing and future coal export capacity for Queensland’s coal producers in the Bowen and Surat Basins.

“This terminal will play an important role in making sure our transport infrastructure is prepared for the expected and significant increase in coal export growth. The terminal will be built in stages to meet industry demand. Once it is fully commissioned, the new terminal will provide more than 80Mtpa in export coal capacity,” said WICET in a statement.

Stage 1 construction of the AUD2.5bn WICET started in October. Construction will not only include a stockyard for 1.9Mt of coal, but also a 5.5km-long overland conveyor, a 7600tph rail receipt facility, a single berth with traveling ship loader and channels and wharf to accept 40,000-220,000dwt ships.

A feasibility study for the terminal’s expansion is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.