Update: Lucky Bay project to be ready for 2019 harvest

This change has reportedly been influenced by a number of factors, including the need for the trade to be able to see the new delivery system in action, growers’ intentions to largely sell for cash this season rather than warehouse grain, and the fact that with the current season outlook, tonnages for delivery on upper EP would be limited.

T-Ports are reportedly building this development on the EP for the long-term. The company currently has a AUS$115 million project in progress, featuring two bunker sites with more than 500 000 t of storage, a port facility with a further 27 000 t of storage in steel silos and a transhipment vessel with 3500 t capacity.

Work is continuing on the transhipment vessel in China and it is anticipated it will be in Australian waters in 2Q19. For the trade, which has commitments to its end users, this has made it difficult for them to price at site until they see the port and vessel in action and can explain to their customers how the system works. T-Ports understands this and has spoken at length to their grower partners about the development and these challenges in the context of the current season.

Construction work is continuing at full pace at Lock and Lucky Bay and updates will continue to be available. According to T-Ports, construction at both bunker sites remains on track with more than 50% of the cut to fill earthworks completed at both sites. Works involving placing, compacting and trimming rubble for the final pavement layer will commence shortly, followed by stormwater and services installation.

The first three DOH stackers have arrived at Lock in the past month and the procurement of equipment for the bunker sites and the port site will continue. Mobilisation for construction of the grain terminal at Lucky Bay is planned to commence by early October, with portside civil tenders currently open. The company have sought local suppliers and contractors wherever possible and this is to continue.

According to the company, Mettler Toledo weighbridges are to be be installed during September, with delivery of the Ausco operational buildings and bunker walls to be supplied by Lienert Engineering at Kimba, also due around this time.

Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/ports-terminals/04092018/update-lucky-bay-project-to-be-ready-for-2019-harvest/