<p>Cooperative Bulk Handling (CBH) is calculating how much it will cost to upgrade its Albany Port terminal to improve capacity and efficiency.</p> <p>It has given an in-principle multi-million commitment to the project but a feasibility study by Transfield WA will determine the total capital investment required.</p> <p>The upgrade is needed because of production growth in the Albany region and the pressure this is putting on the port facilities.</p> <p>CBH chief executive officer Imre Mencshelyi said: "Any upgrades to the terminal will need to provide for better services and better efficiencies for grain growers – improved road and rail discharge operations, increased storage and cargo assembly capability, streamlining of road access to the weighing and sampling areas and increased rail rates.</p> <p>"In turn, this will provide growers delivering direct to the terminal with quicker turn around times, which will give them more time to work on the farm during peak harvesting times.</p> <p>"It will also enable rail transport to operate more efficiently and with greater flexibility in the Albany zone enabling better use of up-country storages hand in hand with a better response to shipping fluctuations."</p> <p>The feasibility study will take three months to complete. </p> <p>An environmental impact review is also being conducted and CBH is examining rail options with Westnet Rail.</p> <p>CBH believes the next phase of conceptual engineering and expenditure for the terminal will begin before the 2002 harvest.</p> <br />
