PWCS increases Kooragang capacity
PWCS has approved the final stage of its $227m expansion to its existing coal loading facilities at the Kooragang Island terminal, raising capacity to 145mt by the end of 2012. This ultimate stage of expansion is known as Project 145.
Kooragang Island.
PWCS currently has capacity of 113mt, which will rise to 133mt later in 2011, when a $670 million expansion program is finalised. Project 145 will involve additional installation, which includes a fourth rail dump station, additional track infrastructure, upgrades to existing bucket-wheel reclaimer machines and ship loading facilities.
PWCS general manager Graham Davidson said “the coal industry is telling us it requires more coal loading capacity, and we are contractually obliged to deliver new capacity in the most timely manner possible.
“It is important that PWCS continues to expand to meet industry demand, in alignment with the Hunter Valley’s long term coal export plan that was agreed by the entire industry and authorised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
“As per the industry agreement, we are confident that this latest expansion and the subsequent delivery of T4 will comfortably cater for the Hunter Valley’s long term coal loading requirements.”
Davidson said subject to planning approvals, Port of Newcastle's additional terminal - known as T4, would create over 100mt of additional coal loading capacity at Newcastle once Project 145 is completed.
Pre-feasibility and planning work on T4 is well advanced, with the NSW Government considering environmental approvals.
The Project 145 approval means PWCS has now committed over $1.8 billion to coal loading infrastructure projects over the past decade.
Contact: www.pwcs.com.au
