A message from the CEO

Welcome to the autumn edition of the Pilbara Portal.

It has been a safe and productive start to the year here in the Pilbara, and I am pleased to report that we are on track to exceed last year's throughput figures and match our safety performance.

I recently hosted the WA Minister for Ports, the Hon Rita Saffioti MLA, at Lumsden Point to announce $78 million in funding to progress this critical piece of infrastructure. While in Port Hedland, Minister Saffioti also announced Hall Contracting as the successful tenderer for the $21.4 million Spoilbank Marina dredging contract, and the commencement of upgrades to the Port of Port Hedland's Nelson Point Tug Haven. You can read more about each of these significant announcements below.

Facilities such as Lumsden Point will help to facilitate the growth of direct shipping to the Pilbara, a service which has received a booming response at the Ports of Dampier and Port Hedland. With such a strong demand, the organisation is already looking to expand the existing facilities while continuing our work to secure the relevant approvals for direct shipments at the Port of Ashburton. You can read more about how inbound cargo is benefitting the Pilbara in this article.

The response to the Port Hedland Voluntary Buy-Back Scheme also continues to be positive, with more than 130 of the 425 eligible residential properties now acquired by Hedland Maritime Initiative. You can read more about HMI's progress and other matters below.

We welcomed the first ever LNG-fuelled vessel at our ports when BHP's world first LNG-fuelled Newcastlemax bulk carrier called at the Port of Port Hedland in February. To help support this important transition to cleaner energies, Pilbara Ports Authority (PPA) has introduced a 50 per cent discount in tonnage charges for LNG-fuelled vessels.

I am pleased to report that Katelyn and Jeri, PPA's first female marine cadets, have settled into their inaugural six-month voyage on board a vessel chartered by Rio Tinto. The pair departed for the freezing seas of Northern China on 17 December 2021 and, after five months at sea, are currently enjoying the Pilbara heat while berthed at Port Walcott. We welcomed our newest Marine Cadet, Brodie Ninness, earlier in the month and celebrated the graduation of our first ever marine cadet, Kyal Randazzo. Read more about Kyal's future plans in the below article.

The latest from Spoilbank Marina

Works are progressing well at Spoilbank Marina, with the $10.6 million contract for design and construction of marine structures awarded to SMC Marine in December 2021 and the $21.4 million dredging contract awarded to Hall Contracting last week.

Hall Contracting are Australia's largest privately owned dredging, civil and marine construction company, with over 70 years' experience in port, government and mining projects. Mobilisation of equipment and commissioning works will begin in the coming month, with dredging works to create the new navigational channel expected to start mid-year.

SMC Marine, who have worked on some of Australia's most iconic wharves, jetties and marinas, are currently working on the detailed design and offsite fabrication of the marine structures, with site works expected to start in the second half of this year.

To date, more than 80 per cent of the Spoilbank Marina project spend has been awarded to Western Australia businesses. This includes both local Pilbara based and registered Aboriginal businesses. With these two major contracts now awarded, Pilbara businesses are set to benefit from an influx of subcontracting opportunities.

To boost local business engagement, PPA partnered with Port Hedland Chamber of Commerce, SMC Marine and MGN Civil to deliver a business opportunities session for local sub-contractors in March. The session was well attended, and an online register is now available for local business to express their interest.

Community support in the Pilbara

PPA is an active member of the Pilbara community and is committed to contributing to the local communities in which we operate.

The 2022 WA State Country Water Polo Championships were held in Karratha from 4 to 6 March, and PPA was pleased to be a platinum sponsor of this major community event. Competitors travelled from across the state to compete in the three-day event, with the Karratha Marlins taking out gold in both the Men's and Women's finals.

In addition, PPA worked with the City of Karratha to support the 2022 Red Earth Arts Festival, which runs from 16 March until 8 May. This year's festival program focuses on community storytelling, participation, and skill development, whilst showcasing local and WA talent.

This support is made available through PPA's Community Support Initiative, which provides financial and in-kind support to community initiatives and organisations in Dampier, Karratha, Onslow and Port Hedland. 

To find out more about the Community Support Initiative, visit our website.

Award winning environmental stewardship

PPA's Director Environment and Heritage Dan Pedersen was awarded the Environmental Award by the City of Karratha at their 2022 Australia Day celebrations.

Since moving to Karratha in 2010, Dan has spent a considerable amount of time outside of his paid work undertaking a range of initiatives to help the local environment.

Dan started iCARE and Karratha Care Group which encourage companies and individuals to come together and tackle the issue of roadside litter along the Burrup Peninsula. He is also a snake catcher and is known in the local community as the Reptile Removalist, setting up the Karratha volunteer snake catcher program.

Three years ago, Dan worked closely with the City of Karratha to create the Environmental Professionals Network, which has nearly 70 members and hosts a range of information sessions to enable its members to learn from one another on topics that may interest them.

These include information on marine and terrestrial fauna, birds, research programs, marine issues such as debris, fish kills, and blooms, and outdoor activities including the Annual Cultural Heritage and Bird Watching Community Event on the Burrup/Murujuga and the Karratha Back Beach Sponge Garden Walk.

  IN CASE YOU MISSED IT