Bell Bay is set to become Tasmania’s sole fuel import and storage port in coming years.
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State-owned ports operator TasPorts plans to spend $10 million at the port as part of a $200 million master plan for the state’s four major ports (with Devonport, Burnie and Hobart).
TasPorts chief executive Paul Weedon on Thursday said TasPorts envisaged Bell Bay eventually handling all Tasmania’s fuel imports, particularly as fuel ships grew bigger.
He said the bigger ships required bigger infrastructure, and Bell Bay was better placed than the other ports to provide that because of land availability.
Meanwhile, an international freight terminal in Burnie remains possible, despite a two-year exclusive agreement with a shipping company nearing its end.
DP World Australia and TasPorts’ exclusive memorandum of understanding on the project, which would allow Tasmanian exports to bypass costly mainland ports, will end in November.
Mr Weedon said DP World remained very enthusiastic about the possible project and was doing due diligence work.
He said TasPorts would remain committed to the project if the two-year period ran out before a commitment.
That would potentially bring other investors into play.
Mr Weedon was speaking as TasPorts and Infrastructure Minister Jeremy Rockliff announced $200 million worth of projects for Tasmania’s four main ports over the next 10-15 years.
Under the master plan:
- The Devonport port will get bigger berths at East Devonport to cater for the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries and for privately owned freight operator SeaRoad;
- container berths will be expanded in Burnie to cater for the bigger Toll freighters due to start operations next year, with dredging work expected;
- Bell Bay will get a $10 million spend on improving berthing capacity; and
- a new Antarctic logistics facility will be developed in Hobart.
The Bell Bay spend would improve berthing capacity at No. 6 berth and optimise port facilities for industry.
TasPorts said it would “enable forestry and mining exports from multiple berths, upgrade of fuel pipelines and increased capacity for fuel storage”.
It said a new transport and wash-down system would help forestry exports.
Mr Rockliff said TasPorts’ investment was a sign of economic confidence.
“Ensuring Tasmania’s port facilities meet future demand, the plan will accelerate economic growth by supporting jobs and promoting business confidence.”
