Pilbara Ports saves time and money for mining region

The Swire Shipping managed vessel MV Souni was the fourth shipping service to arrive in Port Hedland since November, carrying 30 containers of materials and equipment for the mining sector.

PPA landside operations manager Jon Giles said the direct shipping service removed the need to double handle these critical goods.

“Pilbara businesses have traditionally relied on goods being trucked from the Port of Fremantle or overland from the eastern states, which attracted a significant cost in terms of logistics and time,” Giles said.

“Direct shipping translates into lower costs for Pilbara businesses and consumers, and also benefits the State and the nation by generating more inbound and outbound freight opportunities.

“It also contributes to a reduction in road traffic, road maintenance costs, emissions and noise pollution.”

The ramp up has involved an improved focus on biosecurity infrastructure which aimed to entice further direct shipping to Pilbara ports.

Swire Shipping’s commercial manager of mining and resources Stephen Westfield said direct shipping will improve exports from Western Australia’s north.

“These new direct connections enable customers to better plan their inventory, manage their supply chains, and reach their carbon-neutral goals up to 2040,” Westfield said.

“It is estimated that each container shipped direct into the Pilbara versus via Fremantle will save roughly two tonnes of carbon. We look forward to working with our mining and resource customers to achieve carbon reduction goals.”

The Port of Port Hedland recorded a monthly through put of 45 million tonnes in July 2021, with 44.3 million tonnes being iron ore exports.

This marked a two per cent increase from July 2020.

Port Hedland is the world’s largest bulk export port and ships iron ore Fortescue, Roy Hill and BHP.