The Australian and Western Australian governments have announced a total investment of AUS661.6 million ($439 million) in the Lumsden Point project at Port Hedland.
According to Pilbara Ports, the Lumsden Point project will reportedly enable the export of battery metals such as lithium and copper concentrates, the import of renewable energy equipment such as wind turbines and blades, and the expansion of direct shipping services to Pilbara.
Infrastructure Australia has highlighted increased capacity at Pilbara Ports as a national infrastructure priority.
The Australian government is investing AUS565 million ($375 million) in common user port enhancements in the Pilbara, with AUS450 million ($299 million) going towards the building of new multi-user facilities and berths at Lumsden Point.
This is in collaboration with the Western Australian Government, which will contribute $96.6 million to the project.
READ: Port of Port Hedland expansion gets AU$565 million boost
According to Pilbara Ports, this will enhance trade and growth in the Pilbara region and beyond.
The port authority Pilbara Ports has also won two key contracts for the development of Lumsden Point in Port Hedland, marking a critical milestone in the project. The first significant contract was awarded to Jan De Nul (Australia) Pty Ltd for dredging and land reclamation.
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This contract will provide a new access channel in the port, allowing vessels to securely dock at Lumsden Point, as well as a swing basin and berth pockets suited for non-tidally limited vessels.
Jan De Nul will mobilise to the site in May 2024 to prepare for dredging, which is scheduled to commence in September 2024.
The second contract is with MGN Civil Pty Ltd for the building of the causeway that would connect the new dock to the projected logistics hub area. Construction began in April.
