Abbot Point to double coal export capacity to 50mtpa

<p>Abbot Point Coal Terminal, north of Bowen in Queensland, will double its coal capacity after the go-ahead was given this afternoon (Friday, August 3) for a $770m stage three expansion.</p> <p>Ports Corporation of Queensland was already working on stage two work that is on track to increase exports from 15 to 21m tonnes a year from next year.</p> <p>Queensland premier Peter Beattie said today’s approval by the state’s coordinator-general would boost throughput to 50mtpa, but there was no timeframe for the third stage.</p> <p>The port development is dependent on QR’s 69-km northern missing link, a $765m project to link the Goonyella and Newlands rail systems.</p> <p>Mr Beattie said the stage three port expansion would follow immediately on from the completion of stage two next year.</p> <p>The expansion would be staged to coordinate with demand from the coal producers.</p> <p>A report released by former Pacific National chief Stephen O’Donnell this week found that congestion in the Goonyella coal chain was costing $1bn a year.</p> <p>The port of Hay Point, including Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal and Hay Point Coal Services, presently handles about 90m tonnes of coal each year, but both terminals are expanding to collectively handle 142mtpa by 2010.</p> <p>At the end of the month, Bimco reported that 38 vessels had arrived at Dalrymple Bay, with another 18 due by August 10, and a loading delay of five-10 days was expected.</p> <p>Eighteen vessels had arrived at Hay Point, with another 11 due by August 20 and the loading delay was 5-20 days.</p> <p>Seven vessels were waiting at Abbot Point with another sevem due by August 11, with five day delay.</p> <br />