Abbot Point Coal Terminal Expansion and Operations

The Abbot Point Coal Terminal Expansion and Operations are a crucial part of the region's economy. The terminal is located near Bowen, Queensland, and is one of the largest coal terminals in Australia.

It has a shipping capacity of up to 88 million tonnes per year, making it a significant contributor to the country's coal exports. This capacity will be further increased with the expansion of the terminal.

The terminal operates 24/7, with a team of over 200 people working to load and unload coal from ships. This level of operation requires careful planning and execution to ensure the safe and efficient movement of coal.

The Abbot Point Expansion has been a topic of controversy. The port is planned to provide export facilities for coal mined from the Galilee Basin.

A second wharf and shiploader, as well as an additional onshore stockyard and machines, were initially approved for the terminal's expansion. However, this was tabled due to the sizing down of the Carmichael Mine.

Environmentalists have targeted the road and railway to the port with non-violent direct action, opposing coal exports. The expansion would not have a significant impact on the Great Barrier Reef, according to an environmental assessment.

The assessment included a review of 16 environmental studies, which found Greenpeace's claims regarding the expansion's impact to be overstated. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Protection Authority advised against approving dredging for the expansion.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act was amended, allowing the government to disregard expert advice before approving major developments like mines and ports.

Abbot Point has one operating terminal, the North Queensland Export Terminal (NQXT or T1), which receives coal by rail from the Newlands and Collinsville area and several Bowen Basin mines.

Pilotage services are provided by Port of Townsville on behalf of Maritime Safety Queensland.

The terminal is serviced by tug boats operated by Engage Marine.

The Marine Offloading Facility (MOF) is a common-user, multi-functional facility owned and operated by North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP), located just east of T1.

Here are some recent ship arrivals at Abbot Point:

Abbot Point has two shiploaders, each with a travelling gantry and luffing boom, which can load coal into ships' cargo holds at a rate of 4,750 tonnes per hour.

Abbot Point is a significant shipping hub, with multiple vessels departing from the port on a daily basis. The types of vessels that depart from Abbot Point include bulk carriers and tugs.

The largest vessel to depart from Abbot Point recently was the UNITED ADVENTURE, a bulk carrier measuring 292 meters in length and 45 meters in width. It has a gross tonnage of 92,822 and a deadweight tonnage of 180,745.

The majority of vessels departing from Abbot Point are bulk carriers, with several vessels from this category departing on the same day. For example, on April 18, four bulk carriers departed from Abbot Point: HC PROGRESS 2, KNOSSOS WAVE, LIA M, and FPMC B 108.

Here are some key statistics about the vessels that departed from Abbot Point on April 18:

The tugs that depart from Abbot Point are relatively small, with the ENGAGE RAIDER, ENGAGE REBEL, and ENGAGE ROGUE all measuring 32 meters in length and 12 meters in width.

Ship operations are a complex and fascinating field, and understanding recent arrivals can provide valuable insights into the industry.

The largest vessel to arrive at Abbot Point recently was the UNITED ADVENTURE, a bulk carrier with a gross tonnage of 92822 and a deadweight tonnage of 180745.

Bulk carriers are the most common type of vessel to arrive at Abbot Point, making up the majority of recent arrivals.

The ENGAGE RAIDERTug and ENGAGE REBELTug are examples of smaller vessels that have arrived at Abbot Point, with a gross tonnage of 450 and a deadweight tonnage of 169.

Recent arrivals at Abbot Point have come from a variety of countries, although the last port of departure is not specified in the data.

Here are some recent arrivals at Abbot Point, listed in order of arrival date:

The ENGAGE RAIDERTug and ENGAGE REBELTug are examples of tugs that have arrived at Abbot Point, both built in 2021.

Ship operations are a complex and fascinating world, and understanding recent departures from ports like Abbot Point can provide valuable insights into the industry.

The recent departures from Abbot Point are a mix of bulk carriers and tugs.

One notable trend is the presence of tugs, which are used to assist larger vessels in navigating through tight spaces.

The tugs, such as the ENGAGE RAIDER and ENGAGE REBEL, were built in 2021 and have a gross tonnage of 450.

Bulk carriers, on the other hand, are designed to carry large quantities of cargo.

The largest bulk carrier to depart from Abbot Point recently was the UNITED ADVENTURE, which was built in 2012 and has a gross tonnage of 92,822.

Here is a list of some of the recent departures from Abbot Point:

The diversity of vessels departing from Abbot Point is a testament to the importance of this port in the global shipping industry.

At APO, loading coal into ships is a precise operation. The facility operates two shiploaders, each equipped with a travelling gantry and luffing boom.

These shiploaders are designed to load coal into the ships' cargo holds at an impressive rate. Each shiploader has an average loading capacity of 4,750 tonnes per hour.

APO's peak loading capacity is significantly higher, reaching 7,200 tonnes per hour. This ensures that even during the busiest times, coal can be loaded efficiently and effectively.

The Abbot Point Coal Terminal is a significant facility that plays a crucial role in the export of coal from Australia. The terminal has a capacity to handle a large volume of coal, with a record of 5,245 trains unloaded in the 2022 financial year.

The terminal has undergone several expansions to increase its capacity, including the X21 expansion in 2007, which increased the capacity from 15 Mtpa to 21 Mtpa. This expansion also allowed for future expansions to be staged without disrupting terminal operations.

The terminal's infrastructure is designed to efficiently handle the large volume of coal, with a 2.75 kilometre trestle jetty carrying coal from a surge bin to the wharf and two berths. Berth 1 is 252 metres in length, and berth 2 is 268 metres.

The new facilities at the Coal Terminal are a game-changer. The terminal's storage capacity has been increased by 20% with the addition of two new warehouses, each with a capacity of 50,000 tons.

These warehouses are equipped with state-of-the-art conveyor belts and cranes that can handle 500 tons of coal per hour, significantly reducing the time it takes to load and unload ships.

The new facilities also include a dedicated rail loading area, which can handle up to 10 trains per day, increasing the terminal's overall throughput by 30%.

This increased capacity has allowed the terminal to reduce waiting times for ships from 5 days to just 2 days, making it a more efficient and attractive option for exporters and importers alike.

The new facilities have also improved safety at the terminal, with the installation of advanced fire suppression systems and emergency response equipment.

The coal out-loading process at Abbot Point Coal Terminal is quite impressive. Coal is moved from the stockpile to a large surge bin.

From the surge bin, it's carried by conveyor along the 2.75 kilometre trestle jetty to the wharf and one of two berths. Berth 1 is 252 metres in length, and berth 2 is 268 metres.

In 2011, the terminal set a record for unloading trains, with 5,245 trains unloaded at the terminal in a single financial year.

This efficient process is made possible by the terminal's capacity, which has been increased over the years through various expansions. The X21 expansion, completed in 2007, increased the terminal's capacity from 15 Mtpa to 21 Mtpa.