Port of Mackay expands services

“The world knows Australia takes its quarantine efforts extremely seriously,” Mr Pitt said.

“The new equipment represents a significant upgrade of the level of services the port can offer while ensuring every possible step is taken to maintain high quarantine standards. These are the type of initiatives and service improvements our publicly owned port authorities such as NQBP can undertake because the government ensures they operate on a commercial footing while taxpayers gain the benefits of the revenue they generate.”

Minister for Ports, Mark Bailey, added: “Mackay has untold potential and underutilised capacity to facilitate growth and the Port of Mackay is primed for trade. As part of the strategy to unlock the economic wealth and potential of the port, NQBP has negotiated with Northern Stevedoring Services (NSS) for the installation of a federally certified wash-down facility and quarantine approved premises within the secure port precinct. With the relevant federal approvals now in place to handle this cargo, it is a wonderful sight to see the facilities in operation washing down heavy equipment bound for use in our region’s resource sector.”

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corp. (NQBP) Chief Executive Officer, Steve Lewis said: “This cargo — which we hope is the first of many — represents a significant demonstration of the port’s credentials as a major trade and logistics hub that supports the Mackay region and Bowen Basin and potentially the future Galilee Basin.”

“The break bulk cargo arrived at the Port on the SCL Akwaba on 19 October loaded with around 8,000 freight tonnes of mining equipment that is being brought in by mining services company Thiess from its overseas operations, as part of the company’s ongoing process of servicing Bowen Basin mining operations.” NSS General Manager, Juliette Sperber, welcomed the first trade through the facility.

“Our new quarantine wash facility is an exciting development and represents a considerable investment for NSS in Mackay,” Ms Sperber said.

“As a regional Queensland business employing locally, our hope is that NSS’s facility will increase trade through the port and rejuvenate industry in this great region.”

Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/ports-terminals/28102016/port-of-mackay-expands-services/