A message from the CEO

Welcome to the winter edition of the Pilbara Portal.

I am pleased to say that Pilbara Ports Authority finished the financial year on a high, achieving a record annual throughput of 733.1 million tonnes. This saw 42 per cent of global iron ore trade and almost seven per cent of global LNG trade pass through our ports. I would like to thank our valued port users, service providers, government stakeholders and local communities for their ongoing support to deliver this exceptional result.

As we look to the future, there are major infrastructure projects underway that will support the growth aspirations of our proponents, facilitate emerging trade and enable the import of renewable energy infrastructure. These projects all support the WA Government's goal to diversify the WA economy, creating local jobs for the future.

This includes finalising the review of the Port Hedland Port Development Plan to grow iron ore exports to 660 million tonnes per annum, planning for the ultimate development of Lumsden Point, extending the Dampier Cargo Wharf to support the proposed Perdaman urea project, and exploring new export opportunities at the Port of Ashburton.

We are also expanding our throughput capacity at Utah Point, with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) recently granting PPA an amendment for our Utah Point Part V licence. This enables the total throughput to increase from 24.1Mtpa to 28Mtpa. This is conditional on the installation of dust suppression controls on the six existing mobile ore feed hoppers in Stockyard 1, and/or the optimisation of infrastructure at Stockyard 2.

In addition to growing capacity and diversifying trade, PPA is progressing initiatives to support the WA Government's commitment to transitioning to net zero emissions by 2050. This includes signing a collaboration agreement with Yara Clean Ammonia for a feasibility study into ammonia bunkering in the Pilbara. Read more about the agreement below.

I'm pleased to say that the Port Hedland Voluntary Buy-Back Scheme continues to progress, with 42 per cent of the eligible properties sold or are selling to Hedland Maritime Initiative.

Works also continue to progress on the Spoilbank Marina project, with the final major contract going out for tender earlier this month. The civil and landscaping package involves the installation of underground services; construction of roads, carparks, paths and a public amenity building; and extensive landscaping and irrigation works. Interested parties can submit a tender via the TendersWA website, with submissions closing 4pm Friday 16 September.

PPA has also put the call out for Pilbara businesses to register their details for sub-contracting opportunities. The register will assist the head contractor with using local businesses in the first instance. Local businesses can register their details on PPA's website here.

We have also launched our annual Recreational Vessel Safety Campaign reminding recreational boat users to steer clear of shipping channels and restricted waterside areas. Please take care out on the water, and be aware of your responsibilities as skipper.

Please enjoy this edition of the Pilbara Portal and we look forward to sharing more updates as projects progress

Stay safe

Pilbara region moves towards Ammonia Bunkering

PPA and Yara Clean Ammonia have signed a Collaboration Agreement to undertake a feasibility study into ammonia bunkering in the Pilbara.

The purpose of the agreement is to jointly assess the potential ammonia demand and required bunker infrastructure, leveraging off the existing world-scale ammonia production facility of Yara Pilbara, and its clean ammonia potential in the region.

The agreement will also ensure safe ammonia bunker operations within PPA ports through collaborative safety analysis and the creation of transparent ammonia bunkering guidelines.

Forming a clear understanding of the required bunker infrastructure and safe ammonia bunker guidelines will accelerate the effective uptake of clean ammonia as a fuel.

This study is an important first step on the path towards providing an alternative to fossil fuels - and ultimately decarbonising the maritime industry, alongside other green fuels like hydrogen.

The joint assessment is planned to take approximately one year. Read the full media release here.

Inaugural Ship to Shore

PPA is proud to have partnered with the Town of Port Hedland to deliver the first inaugural Ship to Shore, which took place on Saturday 13 August. Commencing at Cemetery Beach Park, approximately 500 people took part in either a six-kilometre run or three-kilometre walk along the coastline.

After the run concluded, a free BBQ breakfast and yoga class was available, as well as several market stalls, encouraging community members to come down and cheer everyone taking part in the race.

The male winner was Adam Bellairs from Victoria, who is travelling around Australia with his family, while Amanda Egan was the first female winner to cross the line, giving birth only four months ago. 

PPA is committed to contributing to the local communities in which we operate, with this event a fantastic opportunity to bring the community together.

To find out more about our Community Initiatives, visit our website.

Supporting seafarers in our ports

PPA is excited to welcome seafarers ashore for the first time in over two years, with shore leave restrictions easing. We are committed to looking after the welfare of seafarers at our ports, and have a number of initiatives in place.

This includes distributing hampers at Christmas time, providing financial support for local Seafarer Centres, which includes in Port Hedland contributing to a boat service to enable seafarers to come ashore, and providing seafarers with sim cards to call loved ones back home.

At the Port of Port Hedland, PPA recently awarded a contract to Aqura to design and deliver an advanced private 4G network for the port. Not only does this include providing seafarers with independent high-speed connectivity when visiting, but also supports PPA's extensive marine digital platforms and enhances worker mobility. The project has kicked off, with the network planned to be live by the end of this year.

New helicopter hanger

The first phase of the helicopter facility upgrades at the Eastern Harbour in Port Hedland has been completed.
These facilities provide a space to store and maintain the helicopters which are used to transport Marine Pilots to and from ships as part of the port's daily operations.

Due to the complex range of operational and maintenance requirements, more than twelve different concepts were considered by stakeholders and design consultants.

Phase one included the upgrade of Hanger 2 to improve insulation to combat the Pilbara heat and adding steel strengthening to meet the latest Cyclonic Design Code.

The second phase of the project will upgrade the landing pad area and demolish Hangar 1, which is no longer sufficient to meet the operational and maintenance requirements of the new fleet of larger helicopters.

  IN CASE YOU MISSED IT