Geraldton Port Authority - Parliament of Western Australia

Trade
The trade highlights that occurred during the year include;
In November 2007 iron ore recorded its highest monthly
result, with 0.522 million tonnes exported.
In March 2008, the port welcomed the MV Hanjin
Tacoma, which loaded the port’s largest single cargo, with
66,000 tonnes of iron ore.
This same vessel achieved the deepest departure draft, at
12.88 meters.
GPA also exceeded past performance with a record of 42
ship visits in March 2008.
Record months for synthetic rutile, zircon, copper & zinc
concentrates were also achieved during 2007/2008.
Infrastructure upgrades
In April 2008, the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure offi cially opened the upgraded Berth 5. This brown fi eld project was
undertaken over a two year planning and construction period, and consisted of the extension of Berth 5 into the adjacent deep-water
berth pocket, the construction and placement of a new dedicated iron ore ship loader, and realignment of the mineral sands and
iron ore shiploading circuits The facility has been developed to the highest standards of environmental engineering and features an
enclosed conveying circuit, purpose built dust extraction capabilities and dust suppression treatments at all transfer points throughout
the conveyor circuit and shiploader.
A state of the art cascade chute was commissioned in June 2008 and is anticipated to deliver a quantum improvement in the port’s
environmental performance during shiploading of some mineral sands. The chute manipulates product free fall into 30 to 40 cm
falls through a series of off-set fi breglass cones that act like buckets, catching the material as it falls. In addition to environmental
improvement the cascade chute’s performance will enable the shiploading rate to be increased threefold, consequently improve
shiploading rates which will lead to improved services for Port users.
The next step in the development of infrastructure at the port is the proposed upgrade of the iron ore train unloader facility and related
rail within the Port. This upgrade is an integral part of the whole of network solution to provide increased rail capacity to the iron ore
customers. The planned upgrade is expected to produce the following key outcomes;
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1. Increase the iron ore receival rate through the train unloader from approximately 1,400 to 3,000 tonnes per hour, effectively
halving the time trains will spend in the Port
2. Create a linkage between the train unloader and Berth 5 & 6 storage sites
3. Extend the port rail network to accommodate longer, 90 wagon trains
4. Hopper modifi cation to allow continuous train discharge
5. Increase throughput capacity from 4.5 to 8.5 million tonnes per year
6. Reduce reliance on road transportation for iron ore deliveries to Port.
Staff
2007/2008 HIGHLIGHTS
The Port achieved its goal of developing a comprehensive Human Resources Management System during 2007/08. The system
ensures transparency and procedural fairness when dealing with issues impacting on our most important resource, staff.
With continuing growth, the Port undertook a comprehensive Human Resource plan during 2007/08. This planning has seen a
number of positions in maintenance, project management and wharf supervision created during 2008.