Abbot Point coal terminal hits the big 4-0

Abbot Point Operations (APO) is celebrating a milestone at the North Queensland Export Terminal north of Bowen, which has clocked up four decades of coal shipments. It was this week in 1984 when the Fukukawa Maru arrived at the terminal to load 60,000 tonnes of coking coal from the Collinsville mine, destined for Hong Kong. Yesterday, the BBG Liuzhou was the 6902nd ship to safely berth at the terminal and load high-quality coal for export to the world. Now owned by Bravus, the coal terminal is located in the Port of Abbot Point, Australia’s most northern coal export port. APO general manager of port operations Allan Brown said the 40-year milestone was a credit to the hundreds of local workers who had maintained the terminal for more than a generation. To celebrate, the 400-strong APO team held a special morning tea, complete with themed cake, and gave out APO gift packs to train drivers and mariners visiting the terminal. “We’re proud of our role in helping transport high-quality Queensland metallurgical and thermal coal to the world, where it advances development and provides affordable and reliable energy that lifts people out of poverty," Mr Brown said. “And as Bowen locals we are equally proud of our efforts to ‘Grow Local’ and provide jobs, training, and corporate giving that contribute to the economic and social fabric of our community. “It’s been wonderful to come together as a team to celebrate this milestone, reflect on the journey so far, as well as chart a course for the next 40 years.” The North Queensland Export Terminal (NQXT), then called the Abbot Point Coal Terminal, opened in 1984 with an annual export capacity of 6.5 million tonnes per year. The terminal was built in partnership between Mount Isa Mines and the Harbours Corporation of Queensland to open export access for coal producers in the Bowen Basin. Today, the NQXT has a nameplate capacity of 50 million tonnes per year and services mines in the Bowen and Galilee basins. Bravus (then operating as Adani Australia) took stewardship of NQXT in 2011 after acquiring a 99-year lease over the terminal and its supporting infrastructure from the Queensland Government for $1.8 billion. In 2016, the Queensland Government declared the Port of Abbot Point a strategic port, noting its role as an essential element of national and state transport networks and supply chains. The same year, Bravus acquired APO and the operating rights for the terminal. Image at top of page: APO general manager port operations Allan Brown and NQXT general manager Mark Smith cut the 40th anniversary cake.

Abbot Point coal terminal hits the big 4-0

Industry Queensland

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