Port Hedland sets loading record

Six ships left the port between 5am and 10:15am on Monday, carrying a combined total cargo of 1,040,062 tonnes, according to Port Hedland Port Authority (PHPA).

Five loaded capesize vessels came from BHP’s berths and were headed to China. The sixth vessel was a post-panamax loaded by Mineral Resources at Port Hedland’s Utah Point facility, and was headed to Japan.

A Port Hedland record set in July 2011 of 914,881 tonnes on a single tide was broken on June 4 this year by over 30,000 tonnes. That record was in turn broken just two weeks later by over 90,000 tonnes by this past Monday’s movement.

Port Hedland harbour master John Finch said the figure, which would represent half a year’s throughput in some iron ore export operations, was achieved “through planning and outstanding execution by the whole operations team.”

PHPA representative Steed Farrell also gave credit to the iron ore producers, and said the main aim of the Authority is to “keep those landside clients happy.”

Meanwhile cruise figures, while relatively small, are growing at the Western Australian port.

After only taking two cruise ship visits in the 2011-12 financial year, PHPA has confirmed that it will more than double that figure in 2012-13, with five cruise visits booked already.

Chief executive of PHPA Roger Johnston said “the port authority is keen to facilitate the diversification of trade through the port and surrounding region.”
This article first appeared in Lloyds List DCN