Queensland to restructure ports

The Queensland government this week announced a major overhaul of its port authorities.

Infrastructure bottlenecks have been the bane of mining companies eager to take advantage of record prices for Australian coal. The restructuring would bring about several major changes, first and foremost, the creation of the North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation to control the hot spot in Mackay. The Abbot Point coal terminal would also be revamped with expansion, helping o streamline services out of the Bowen Basin. “It can only improve and increase the capacity and management of the supply chain,” Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser told. Capacity at Abbot Point, though recently expanded to handle 21 million tonnes per year would be further expanded to double to 50 million tonnes a year with the June budget setting aside A$818 million (US$683.42 million) for the project.

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