Pilbara Ports Authorities Lumsden Point facility opens with the arrival of first shipment

Port services in Port Hedland have received a boost after the first cargo vessel arrived at a new facility that would see an additional 2.5 million tonnes of cargo shipped through the region. The Lumsden Point general cargo and logistics hub, located at the Taylor Inlet, received its first cargo vessel last week . The long-awaited facility was granted environmental approval for the development in 2014 and is expected to see approximately 2.5 million tonnes of additional cargo shipped through Port Hedland. Pilbara Ports Authority chief executive Roger Johnston said the facility was envisaged to become a multi-user facility and logistics hub that would alleviate the demand on existing cargo berths at the Port of Port Hedland. “This will help support direct shipping services from Asia, the ongoing development of battery mineral mines, as well as providing opportunities for expanding agribusiness and proposed renewable energy projects in the Pilbara,” he said. “PPA and Fortescue have worked closely together to fast-track the delivery of this important piece of infrastructure which in the short term meets the needs of Iron Bridge but in the longer term will be important for all port users.” Mr Johnston said it was encouraging to see the utilisation of Lumsden Point by the private sector following the delivery of cargo in support of the Iron Bridge Magnetite Project The next stage of development is roadworks to unlock eight hectares of land within the logistics hub with works planned to begin early next year. The port would help provide supply for the the Iron Bridge Magnetite Project, a joint venture between Fortescue Metals Group subsidiary FMG Magnetite Pty Ltd and Formosa Steel IB Pty Ltd. Fortescue Metals Group revealed in May the cost of its Iron Bridge magnetite project had blown out to between $US3.3- 3.5 billion with firrst production expected to be delivered before the end of 2022. Fortescue director projects Derek Brown said the construction of the Lumsden Point facility was a result of a collaboration between Fortescue and the Pilbara Ports Authority. “The Iron Bridge Magnetite Project represents a significant strategic investment for Fortescue, and this purpose built module offload facility will help underpin the project schedule through the successful delivery of large modules for Iron Bridge,” he said.