DBCT bullish on future coal volumes
Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal owner Prime Infrastructure is aiming to double its coal export volumes in coming years on the back of improved infrastructure utilisation and a bumper 2009/10 result.
By David Sexton – www.lloydslistdcn.com.au
Bulk carriers shipped 63 million tonnes of coal from the terminal in the 2009/10 financial year, well in excess of 2008/09 (47million) and 2007/8 (43 million).
General manager of operations Greg Smith said the result was a reflection of greater capacity, with DBCT now having a rated capacity of 85 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), compared with 56 mtpa in earlier years.
“The previous two years were affected by the expansion of the rail system and the rail terminal and that work was completed on June 30 last year,’’ he said.
“This was our first clear financial year at the upgraded terminal.’’
Smith said the terminal was eager to increase throughput.
“Our throughput can definitely be improved,'' he said.
“There is a lot more cooperation in the rail system now and we are contracted to handle 85 mtpa so we need to close that gap.''
The additional throughput looks set to prove a boon for terminal client Macarthur Coal.
The miner has just upgraded its expected profit for the 2009/10 financial year from $103-$113 million to $115-$125 million.
Consultation is ongoing between DBCT, miners, QR National and North Queensland Bulk Ports on whether to expand the terminal to handle a further 83 mtpa, increasing overall capacity to almost 170 mtpa.
Source: Lloyd’s List Daily Commercial News – www.lloydslistdcn.com.au
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