Lucky Bay project update
With T-Ports CEO Kieran Carvill
T-Ports has welcomed the arrival of the MV Lucky Eyre into Lucky Bay, where a commissioning process will now be undertaken. It is an exciting week as we see progression of the next stage of this innovative project on the Eyre Peninsula.
The T-Ports model means growers can access multiple small ports that can load vessels up to and including Panamax, allowing product to be exported profitably, which will prove a great benefit to EP growers and South Australia.
The transhipment vessel
The transhipment vessel the MV Lucky Eyre has arrived at Lucky Bay.
The vessel will undertake additional testing and commissioning over the coming weeks.
Commissioning is a multi-step process which tests all equipment. The first stage – dry commissioning – is where systems are run through without any grain. The second stage is a wet commissioning, which involves grain being run through the system. The third stage is performance testing where the equipment is tested at its full designed capacity.
It is essential to undertake the full commissioning process to ensure the system operates as per the design.
The silos have been commissioned with grain received last week, however, the ship loading conveyor and transhipment vessel itself require this commissioning process to be undertaken. Barley and wheat will both be tested on the equipment through this wet commissioning stage, with grain to be loaded for ADM during this process.
The MV Lucky Eyre will load grain from the port and transfer it to an ocean-going vessel – up to Panamax size – waiting in deeper water five nautical miles out at sea.
Safety is one of the core principles of the T-Ports business and ensuring employees, contractors and the general public remain safe is our primary objective. Due to this commitment, there will be no site visits or access granted to Lucky Bay port during the commissioning phase.
We are planning to host an opening event in April which will provide an opportunity to view the port and transhipment vessel.
Port construction
The roadways at the port have been sealed with bitumen surfacing work finished last week.
The vessel berthing restraints, fenders secured to piles in the harbour, will enable the TSV to berth. This was completed by Adelaide-based company Williams Metal Fabrications.
Wharfside, further concrete works have been completed with the installation of mooring bollards to tie up the Lucky Eyre.
Wallaroo
The Design plans for the Wallaroo port development are being refined, with construction expected to begin later this year.
Planning for the second port in the T-Ports network has been underway for several years and has included significant scoping studies of the coastal environment, shoreline, inland freight networks and economic feasibility to ensure the port’s long-term sustainability.
Planning negotiations are underway with various agencies, with support from the Copper Coast Council and Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure.
The feedback we’ve received to date has been very positive with growers looking forward to competition in the market. Growers appreciate the need to increase competition in the state’s supply chains which will ultimately benefit them.
When the approval process is finalised, T-Ports will be speaking with growers and offering them the opportunity to become involved as shareholders, as we have with Eyre Peninsula growers.
The development will include the port and loading facilities and bunker storage. The port will have silo facilities with approximately 30,000 tonnes of storage, while the bunkers are planned with storage capacity of up to 250,000 tonnes of grain.
This email update was sent to subscribers on 16 March 2020. To subscribe, head to the Contacts page.
