This article was published in September 2010 issue of World Port Development. To receive a pdf of the article in its original format including charts and pictures please send an email to archive@worldportdevelopment.com
Top 20 Bulk Performers
1. Port of Qinhuangdao, China 238.89 million tonnes
In 2009, Hebei Port Group, which emerged from Qinhuangdao Port Group, completed a total throughput of 301.19 million tonnes, of which bulk cargo accounted for 296.89 million tonnes. As for the port of Qinhuangdao – the most import port operated by a subsidiary company of Hebei Port Group (HPG) – it handled a total of 243.19 million tonnes of cargo in 2009, of which bulk cargo accounted for 238.89 million tonnes. In the first half year of 2010, the HPG handled a total of 158.37 million tonnes and the projected annual throughput for the whole year could reach 320 million tonnes. According to a spokesperson for HPG, the Group conducts a generally stable fixed asset investment and keeps an increasing momentum this coming year. In 2010, around 857 million yuan is earmarked for investments, an increase of 62.93% compared to last year. The cash injection will be mainly used for loading and unloading facilities and technical advancement to further expand the annual cargo throughput of its ports. In accordance with its strategy of development HPG will also be expanding its activities by integrating the port resources of Hebei Province. This year alone, HPG will invest a record-breaking 10 billion yuan in port construction project outside Qinhuangdao, including Phase 2 of the coal terminals in Caofeidian Harbor, the construction of the Jinjiang coal logistic programme in Jiangsu Province, further development of the general harbour of Huanghua, Phase 2 of the construction of the iron ore terminal of Caofeidian and a new coal terminal in Zhuhai in Guangdong Province. HPG will also continue to invest in upgrading and the acquisition of loading and unloading cargo handling equipment for these terminals.
2. Port Hedland, Australia 173.242 million tonnes
The Port Hedland Port Authority (PHPA) achieved a record port tonnage of 178.6 million tonnes (mt) in financial year 2009-10 (168.8mt in calendar year 2009 with projected throughput of 201.4mt for 2010), representing growth of approximately 20mt from the previous financial year. The PHPA is the largest tonnage port in Australia, largest iron ore port in the world and largest bulk minerals exporting port in the world. Iron ore exports continue to dominate port trade – iron ore accounts for 97% – with the balance comprising other bulk minerals, salt, petroleum products, general cargo, livestock and acid. “Despite the current economic conditions, the strong growth in mining and construction led to exceptional performance in trade volumes through the Port of Port Hedland in 2008-09,” said Andre Bush, CEO of Port Hedland. Should existing port customer expansion plans and a number of proponent development plans within the Inner Harbour proceed, it may well see the port more than double the current tonnage levels in the next 3 years. The full development of the inner harbour in the coming years could well see trade levels exceed 400 million tonnes a year. Expansion beyond 495mtpa will be handled through the planned multi-user Outer Harbour port facility which will have a capacity of 400mtpa, bringing PHPA’s iron ore export potential to beyond 800mtpa. These plans will provide export means for the next 20 years for those seeking to export via Port Hedland. PHPA has also been concentrating on the construction of a multi-user berth at Utah Point. The Utah Point project includes dredging, the multi-user public berth with a capacity of about 18 million tonnes per annum and is able to accommodate Panamax and small Cape size vessels of up to 120,000dwt, a travelling shiploader designed to load at a rate of up to 7,500 tonnes per hour will be installed and associated materials handling infrastructure, a multi-user stockyard facility and a new access road to Finucane Island. The wharf, access road and civil works for the project are now complete. The bulk of the outstanding scope, involving the completion of final steel erection and mechanical and electrical fit-out and commissioning is scheduled for the end October 2010.
3. Port of Dampier, Australia 117.165 million tonnes
Demand for iron ore and gas products has underpinned DPA’s tonnage of 140,823,747 million tonnes for fiscal year 2008-09. Almost half the vessels provide support to the offshore oil and gas industry, which despite the economic downturn is an industry still experiencing heightened levels of exploration and development activity. Dampier Port’s trade by tonnage is generally around 83.2% iron ore, 15% gas products – LNG, LPG and condensate, with salt, petroleum products, general cargo and anhydrous ammonia making up the balance. “2008-09 was another outstanding year for the port recording total trade of 140.8Mtpa, up on last year’s record port tonnage of 133.5Mtpa,” said Steve Lewis, CEO of Port of Dampier. Vessel numbers are expected to continue to grow in the next 5 years as market confidence strengthens, completion of additional berth facilities, export demand increases, and development activity continues in adjacent areas. Despite the turbulent economic environment Dampier Port exceeded the previous year’s tonnages by 5%. The Dampier Cargo Wharf (DCW) has had a stable year indicating only a slight decrease in revenue from 15.3% to 13.7%. Demand for the facility continues to be sporadic with weeks of extremely high demand (consequently some queuing) and weeks of relatively steady demand. It remains a high priority for Dampier Port Authority (DPA) to monitor the logistics chain and external constraints in order to strive for the targeted 24/7 operational efficiency of the facility. Critical maintenance for the DCW has continued to ensure the ongoing efficiency and competency of the facility. Currently the DCW is into the first year of topside concrete repairs, which means 15 square meters of the DCW will be unavailable at a time for maintenance, until the repairs are completed. To date all maintenance has been managed efficiently, with every effort focused on reducing the impact on port facility users. In addition to topside repairs, DPA is into the fourth year of soffit repairs. In planning for growth, DPA embarked on a new fender refurbishing programme on the eastern face of the DCW. The eastern side of the DCW is operational and accommodating smaller cargo vessels. Dredging works on the eastern face of the DCW will also be considered in the coming year to allow for larger cargo vessels and rig tenders. Projected demand suggests that rig tender activity alone will increase the level of congestion on the DCW to exceed capacity by 2013. DPA has prioritised strategic planning for this event, with a view to add new capacity as soon as practicable.
4. Port of Hay Point, Australia 99.47 million tonnes
Last year, Ports Corporation of Queensland Limited (PCQ) and Mackay Ports Limited (MPL) merged to become North Queensland Ports Corporation Limited (NQBP). Situated about 40km south of Mackay, the Port of Hay Point is one of the largest coal export ports in the world. The port comprises two separate coal export terminals, Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal (DBCT), leased from the State Government by the private company, DBCT Management Pty Ltd, and the Hay Point Coal Terminal (HPCT), owned and operated by BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA). Together, the two terminals serve the coal mines of Central Queensland and handled a total of 99,465,091 tonnes of coal in their financial year 2009/10. DBCT is the 3rd largest bulk export coal facility behind Newcastle and Richards Bay. DBCT processes the three based types of coal (coking, thermal and PIC) on behalf of up to 18 different mines operating in central Queensland’s Bowen Basin. Unlike the other East Australian coal terminals, approximately 82% of the coal handled at DBCT is metallurgical coal, the rest being therma
l. For 2009, DBCT handled a total of 54 million tonnes of coal. The company is optimistic about 2010 as it handled a total of 31,427,183 tonnes in the first first six months of this year – forecasting a total 66-68 million tonnes for the full year. DBCT Management is currently planning a second terminal that would accommodate around 90mt of capacity over and above the current terminal capacity of 85mtpa. The new terminal is still in concept design and so the exact number and type of bulk cargo handling systems is yet to be determined. However, it is expected that the new terminal will be based on the same design as the existing terminal. NQBP has also awarded Preferred Developer status to BHP Billiton and Hancock Coal Pty Ltd for two major expansions at the Port of Abbot Point. Both companies are to build two new coal terminals to export an estimated 110mtpa of coal. In the first phase both terminals will have an annual capacity of 30mt and will be located adjacent to the existing Government-owned Abbot Point Coal Terminal, which is currently undergoing upgrades to increase capacity to 50mtpa.
5. Port Waratah Coal Services, Australia 92.8 million tonnes
Located in the Port of Newcastle, Australia, Port Waratah Coal Services (PWCS) operates the world’s largest and most efficient coal handling operations. PWCS operates two coal terminals, Carrington and Kooragang within the port. Carrington Coal Terminal has a ship loading capacity of 25 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) and Kooragang Coal Terminal has an annual capacity of 88 million tonnes. These terminals receive, assemble and load Hunter Valley coal for export to customers around the world. Operationally, PWCS loaded a record 92.8 million tonnes of coal in 2009 a 1.5% increase on 2008 when it handled 91.4 million tonnes. Steaming coal exports increased by 1.6% with shipments for the year totalling 75.6 million tonnes (compared to 74.4 million tonnes last year), while coking coal exports increased by 1.2% with shipments for the year totalling 17.2 million tonnes (compared to 17 million tonnes in 2008). The charge for coal handling services increased from AUS$3.25 per tonnes to AUS$3.75 per tonnes effective from 1 July 2009. Demand for coal through the Port of Newcastle has grown by more than 32% over the past decade. PWCS embarked on an expansion program commencing in 1994. The latest expansion increased ship loading capacity at PWCS to 113Mtpa with the completion of the 4th reclaim stream. Earlier this year, the PWCS Board approved a, AUS$670 million expansion project at the company’s Kooragang Island terminal, taking total PWCS expenditure on coal loading infrastructure over the past 12 years to more than AUS$1.6 billion. The works are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011 in order for PWCS to meet its contractual obligation of handling 123.6 million tonnes in 2012. Feasibility, procurement and preliminary engineering work for this expansion have been underway since mid 2008.
6. Port of Itaqui, Brazil 87.72 million tonnes
Latest figures for the Port of Itaqui show that the port has not escaped the slowing demand from steelmakers around the world in 2009 as it handled a disappointing total cargo throughput of 87.7 million tonnes – down 16.5% compared to 2008 when it handled 105 million tonnes. In July 2009, EMAP – the Federal Government – approved further investments in the expansion and modernisation of the Port of Itaqui. This decision was based on information that the port needed more capacity and new and more efficient bulk cargo handling equipment. But soon after the decision was made it had to be reversed as the port saw a decline in global demand. Important expansion work on Berth 100 in the port has been halted. If and whenQuando finalizado, permitirá um aumento na capacidade de movimentação de cargas do terminal portuário, além de permitir a atracação de navios transoceânicos do tipo cape size, que podem carregar até 175 mil toneladas de carga. completed, this new berth will increase the annual capacity of bulk cargo in the port, and allow the docking of cape size vessels. The extension of the south pier will have a length of 320m and width of 26m with a depth of 15m alongside. Other berths within the port will also see their depth being dredge to -15m, which allows the berthing of larger ships. Esse é um dos principais diferenciais do Itaqui em relação aos demais portos do mundo, além de ser também o mais próximo dos principais mercados consumidores”, afirmou o presidente da Emap, Hermes Ferreira.
7. Gladstone, Australia 83.3 million tonnes
Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) has once again achieved record throughputs for the last financial year 2009-2010. Total throughput for products exceeded 83.3 million tonnes. “2009/10 was the second year the port has broken through the 80 million tonnes of export per annum,” said Leo Zussino, CEO of GPC. “Of that total, coal accounted for 60.5 million tonnes (mt).” Coal exports for 2009/10 show an increase of 4.39mt on the previous year. In the financial year 2008-2009 GPC handled a record 79.1 million tonnes (Mt) – an increase of 2.6Mt (3.2%) compared to the financial year before. This increase was due to the sustained demand for coal from Asian countries, combined with the ongoing, steady trade associated with the alumina industry. But despite the increase in coal revenue for the last financial year, total coal throughput was constrained due to rail restrictions and the global economic downturn in many of Gladstone’s traditional coal markets. Coal exports to Asia increased by 4.5mt due to strong increases in the Chinese and Indian markets. These increases helped offset a decline in exports to the Korean (down 2.6mt) and Taiwanese (down 1.2mt) markets. Asian countries accounted for 92.1% of total cost exported, with Japan remaining the number one importer of coal, capturing 37% of coal exports. European markets recorded a small decrease in imports of coal. The RG Tanna Coal Terminal has continued to grow in capacity with record coal exports of 55.6mt through the terminal – representing 66.7% of total port throughput. Another performer was the alumina industry with the total associated tonnes representing 22.4% of total port throughput. The main focus of the port’s future growth will be the Western Basin Development, at the northern end of the harbour, which will have a capacity to move over 300mt of products annually. The development takes in Wiggins Island, Fisherman’s Landing, and the southern eastern side of Curtis Island. Plans are in the place for six new berths at Wiggins Island to cater for Cape size vessels with carrying capacity over 100,000dwt. Coal and nickel will be loaded from this terminal. At Fisherman’s Landing, five extra berths are planned to cater for Panamax and Post Panamax ships, bringing the total number of berths at this terminal to 11. For the financial year 2010/11, GPC is forecast to handle 89.8mt of cargo, representing an increase of 6.5mt (7.8%) on the year before. Trade growth is expected to come primarily from the coal industry, with coal exports forecast at 67mt compared to the 60.5mt achieved.
8. Port of Tubarao, Brazil 82.84 million tonnes
The port complex of Tubarao in the State of Espírito Santo in Brazil is owned and operated by Vale, the world’s largest iron ore mining company. Vale claims that Tubarao is the largest iron ore export port in the world and is specialised on loading operations of iron ore and iron ore pellets, but also has facilities for handling pig iron and blast furnace slag. Iron ore exported from Tubarao is produced in the so-called ‘Southern System’ of mines, located in the Iron Square in the Minas Gerais region of Brazil. The Southern System is comprised of six mining complexes. The oldest mining complex, Itabira, includes the mines of Caue and Conceiçao, where operations began in 1942. The ore produced in these mines is transported to the Port Complex of Tubarao on the railroad Estrada de Ferro Vitória a Minas (EFVM), and to the Port of Itaguaí in Rio de Janeiro.
The latest figures received show that the port handled around 82.84 million tonnes of iron ore in 2009. World Port Development reported in September 2009 that the port handled 109 million tonnes and the latest figures show the impact of the decision to halt output at the two iron-ore pellet plants as an “unprecedented contraction” in demand. Vale stated then that it idled 29.3 million tonnes of pellet capacity and tried to pair this with demand from steelmakers. As the global economic slowdown started to set in Vale also shut down two other pellet plants at Tubarao – all explaining the decline in cargo throughput at the port in 2009. There is one positive side, Tubarao is still one of the most efficient iron ore export facilities in the world with a high utilisation of the stockpile area, which has a turnover of around 31 times per year, compared with a global average of 15 times.
9. Port of Richards Bay, South Africa 73.5 million tonnes
Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) is the single largest export coal terminal in the world and in the Port of Richards Bay, South Africa. As a whole the port of Richard Bay handled a total of 73.5 million tonnes – up from the 61.8 million tonnes it handled in 2008. The increase might be because of completion f Phase V of the capacity expansion project at RBCT. The terminal exported 61.14 million tonnes of coal in 2009 under challenging conditions – in 2008 RBCT exported 61.7 million tonnes. “We faced critical business challenges last year, compared to a smoother 2008. These related to integration problems with the new Terminal Control System. This year however heralds the start of the stabilisation process and we are confident that we will complete the Phase V expansion project in April,” said Raymond Chirwa, Chief Executive of Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT). RBCT expects to accommodate new users after they have signed contracts while a 91 million tonnes coal terminal will be commission at the beginning of the third quarter of 2010. When the terminal comes in to operation it will generate 9 million tonnes of coal a year and this has already been sold to 9 new exporting customers. Mbokondo, Umcebo, Exxaro and South African Coal Mining Holdings (SACMH) concluded agreements with RBCT at the end of last year while Worldwide Coal Carolina, Mmakau, Arm Coal, Tumelo and South Dunes Coal Terminal agreements are in the final stages of negotiation. RBCT reached a high of 5.93 million tonnes in July of this year compared to 5.44 million tonnes exported during the same month in 2009. This great performance was achieved despite being affected by a labour strike, which lasted for 9 days. The 9-day strike had no impact on RBCT operations, which continued as normal. RBCT and the unions settled on 9.5% with a 3-year wage agreement.
10. Port Metro Vancouver, Canada 67.7 million tonnes
Port Metro Vancouver has released their mid-2010 results of overall throughputs in the Cargo Statistics Report. The report shows that 2010 is building momentum, with an overall tonnage increase of 20% totalling 58.4 million tonnes to date. The port has demonstrated stability and resiliency during a period of unprecedented worldwide economic difficulty. The significant improvement noted in the first half of 2010 for the cargo handled at Port Metro Vancouver is due to several factors, including the port’s high degree of diversification and focus on the Canadian market. It also continues to build capacity that accommodates growth, delivers economic empowerment and informs sustainable choices. The port is Canada’s largest and most diversified port, four times larger than the next largest port in Canada. In 2009, Port Metro Vancouver handled a total of 102 million tonnes of cargo, two thirds of which is bulk cargo, at 66% or 67.7 million tonnes. Demand for bulk cargo is showing momentum for the first half of this year. Reports reveal that overall bulk tonnage stands at 39.6 million tonnes, up 22% from the same period in 2009. The increase in bulk cargo is a result from a growth in Asian economies and the strong demand for Canadian commodities like coal and potash [up 270% to 2.7 million tonnes]. The port is already seeing commodities that decreased in 2009, rebounding in 2010 for example forest products have shown an increase of 22% to 11.5 million tonnes. Key industry stakeholders and government partners have committed to spending nearly Canada$9 billion over the next several years to develop Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway. Construction has begun on the Lynn Creek and Brooksbank Avenue Project, the first of the North Shore Trade Area improvements. The infrastructure project will facilitate improved railway access to and from Port Metro Vancouver’s Neptune Bulk Terminals and Lynnterm West Gate Terminal. Westshore Terminals’ Canada$49 million capital upgrade project has now been completed. The project involved on-site assembly and commissioning of a fourth stacker-reclaimer. With the new equipment, Westshore can maximise on-site storage, accelerate unloading of inbound coal train shipments and efficiently reclaim and shipload outgoing coal volumes. In total, the improvements to equipment and associated training have resulted in a 20% increase in Westshore’s total handling capacity.
11. Saldanha Bulk Terminal, South Africa 55.9 million tonnes
Cargo handled at the Saldanha Bulk Terminal in South Africa is mostly ‘fed’ from trains coming from Sishen – around 1000km to the North of Saldanha. As trains loaded with iron ore are departing each day from Sishen, the government-owned terminal has come under pressure from the Northern Cape mining operations, especially Kumba and Assmang, to increase export capacity and are aiming at 60 million tonnes by the end of this year. As reported last year, the third phase (1C) of the terminal expansion plan is now in full swing, with the aim to lift export capacity to the required 60mt from 47mt and scheduled to fully operation in June 2011. The Rand612-million project also involves an electrical upgrade, procurement of rolling stock, optimisation of chutes and conveyors, upgrade of the ship loader conveyor, and the installation of dual ship loading motors. During last financial year 2009-2010 ending March, the port loaded a record of 44mt of iron ore, almost 70% of it for Far East markets, more notably China. 2009 also saw the completion of Terminal Expansion Phase 1B – expanding annual capacity to 47mt. Forced by demand throughput at the Saldanha terminal has increased from 920,000 tonnes a week to 1 million tonnes, in the first quarter of this year. The port is also to expand the facilities to increase capacity to more than 80mt and environmental impact studies are needed for some 141 hectares of land. This part of the proposed project could have the biggest impact on the sensitive environment of the bay and lagoon.
12. Cape Lambert, Australia 53 million tonnes
Rio Tinto, one the largest mining company in the world, is operating the port at Cape Lambert in Australia. In 2009, it handled a total of 53 million tonnes. The company recently announced it would invest a further USD790 million in its drive to expand the annual capacity of iron ore operations in the Pilbara to 330 million tonnes. The Pilbara 330 expansion centres on increasing capacity at Rio Tinto’s Cape Lambert from its current annual capacity of 80 million tonnes to 180 million tonnes by 2016. Increasing annual capacity will be achieved through the construction of a new 1.8km jetty and four-berth wharf to run parallel to the existing jetty and four-berth wharf. In July 2010, Rio Tinto announced that it would spend USD200 million on dredging works for the Cape Lambert expansion. Construction costs of the marine works related to the new wharf will be USD375 million and an additional USD415 million has been set aside for the pile and marine structure and on-shore earthworks and bulk cargo handling equipment. Sasm Walsh, Rio Tinto Chief Executive Iron Ore and Australia said the new investment highlighted Rio Tinto’s intention to forge ahead with the expansion. “Rio Tinto has a
proven track record of managing large-scale iron ore development projects, and has successfully implemented three significant increases in port capacity in the past seven years – Dampier to 140 million tonnes [in two stages] and Cape Lambert to 80 million tonnes,” he said. “As with previous expansions, a key factor in this project will be minimising any disruption to existing operations and production schedules. We are confident this will be achieved.” The early construction works are dependent upon a number of government and other approvals, including that of the Robe River joint venture partners. A final investment decision is expected to be made by the end of this year.
13. Port of Sepetiba, Brazil 46.37 million tonnes
As reported last year, ArcelorMittal has major plans to develop their facilities at Sepetiba after the purchase of London Mining Plc in 2008. It has set-up a joint venture with Canada’s Adriana Resources Inc to develop a USD750 million port terminal to export 45 million tonnes a year from the town of Mangaratiba on the bay [half the ore would come from a London Mining mine and the rest from mines to be developed by Adriana and other companies]. But these plans might be subject to major competition and changes. Last year, Rio de Janeiro state, seeking to expand its iron-ore export capacity, approved about USD8 billion of new bulk terminal projects and rejected proposals by BHP Billiton, Ferrous Resources and ArcelorMittal’s joint venture Brazore Ltda due to environmental, economic and social issues. In 2008, BHP Billiton purchased land in Mangaratiba to set up its proposed USD900 million export terminal with an annual capacity of 50mt. Just like Brazore, BHP Billiton is reported to re-work the plans to get the necessary approval. In total there were twelve companies presenting port projects for Sepetiba, a deepwater bay that is linked to Brazil’s main iron-ore producing region in Minas Gerais state by MRS Logistica’s railroad. Plans that were initially approved included that from companies, such as Petroleo Brasileiro, LLX Logistica, Siderurgica Nacional, Gerdau, Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais and Docas do Estado do Rio and will be allowed to progress further with their projects and seek environmental licenses. Together these projects would add an additional annual capacity of 250mt of iron ore export. As an alternative, companies whose projects weren’t approved will be able to bid to use the 50mt per year terminal being built by Docas, the federally owned ports development company. Docas will accept bids in the first half for its terminal at Itaguai on Sepetiba Bay.
14. Europees Massgoed Overslagdedrijf (EMO), the Netherlands 37 million tonnes
Europees Massagoed Overslagbedrijf (EMO) is located at Maasvlakte right at the entrance to the Port of Rotterdam. EMO is the largest import and export terminal in Europe for dry bulk material with an annual unloading capacity of 42 million tonnes. Continuing and even increasing demand for coal and iron ore, in particular from German steel mills and power plants, as well as the construction of two new coal fired power plants directly at Maasvlakte has now lead to further investments for the terminal. Last year, Electrabel started the construction of a coal fired power station at Maasvlakte and with the EMO terminal being in the direct vicinity of this future power station it was the obvious solution to use the EMO infrastructure for feeding the power station with coal. To handle the increased volume of coal it was decided to install a further combined stacker/reclaimer – the seventh bucket wheel stacker/reclaimer and exact copy of the stacker/reclaimer No 6, which is the largest one of its kind in Europe. ThyssenKrupp Fordertechnik, Germany was awarded the contract for the new installation. A stockyard conveyor has been fitted with a reversible drive unit in order for material to be transported to supply either the EMO terminal or the power station. Also a retractable tripper car has been installed, which either feeds the intermediate conveyor during the stacking operation or by-passes the machine during reclaiming or direct feeding to the power plant. During the stacking operation, up to 6.000tph of coal or iron ore can be conveyed to the stockpiles. With a boom length of 60m, the machine is able to stack piles up to 60m wide and 24m high.
15. Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela 34.2 million tonnes
Puerto Ordaz is Venezuela’s largest ports for iron ore shipments and the base for large steel works and aluminium industries. Since 2004, CVG Ferrominera and various state agencies have invested a total of USD645 million to exploit the vast reserves of low iron content available in the San Isidro Ferrous Quadrilateral Bolivar state. It is therefore no surprise that many of Venezuela’s prime industries are based in Puerto Ordaz including Alcasa, Venalum, Bauxilum, Carbonorca (primary aluminium manufacturers and anode suppliers for the aluminium industry), Ferrominera (iron ore processing), and Ternium Sidor (Orinoco Steelmaking). The main port is operated by Ternium Sidor industry and it is used for iron ore exportation.Despite the economic downturn throughput at Ordaz has seen a slight increase in 2009 to 34.2 million tonnes beating the 2007 figures of 33 million tonnes. Puerto Ordaz is located at the mouth of the River Caroni and the Orinoco River. Most of the iron ore and aluminium shipments arrive by river traffic over the Orinoco River and has the port as end destination.
16. Port of Hampton Roads, USA 33.46 million tonnes
With declining cargo throughput figures it is obvious that the Port of Hamptons Roads has not escaped the global economic downturn both abroad and at home. Back in 2000 it accounted for more than 40% of total American coal exports and acted as the largest coal-exporting port in the United States. The port handled 33.46 million tonnes in its financial year 2009/10 – down almost 10mt from the 42.3mt it handled in 2008/09. But the port is confident that it will see a surge in throughput for the coming year as the global economy is picking up again. Three major terminals handle coal in the Port of Hampton Roads, Dominion Terminal Associates, Kinder Morgan Pier IX/X and the Pier 6 coal terminal at Lambert’s Point Docks in Norfolk. The nearby Pocahontas coalfields in western Virginia, southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky have already increased their production as demand starts to pick up. These fields contain some of the highest quality coal in the world and are shipped to the Port of Hampton Roads only by rail. Costs of shipping the coal to Hampton Roads are kept to a minimum as the rail lines that connect the Port with the Pocahontas fields run downhill, significantly reducing fuel costs. The port of Hampton Roads has another benefit for many shippers – it has the deepest channel on the East Coast. Surrounded by many container terminals focusing on the opening of the Panama Canal in 2014 and the need to accommodate ultra large container vessels, Hamptons Road will certainly be exporting more coal this year or sent it to other parts of the United States for consumption in electric power plants.
17. Port Kembla, Australia 31.05 million tonnes
Looking beyond the global financial crisis and the impact that it has had on the business environment, the Port Kembla Port Corporation (PKPC), continued to be strong in handling bulk. In their financial year 2009/10 the port had its busiest year on record – handling a total of 31.05 million tonnes. This is up 17.7% from the 26.4 million tonnes recorded in 2008/09, while the previous record of 27.3 million tonnes was achieved in 2007/2008. This record was supported by total coal and coke exports of 14.04mt, 385k more than in the previous year, accounting for 46% of total trade throughput. Coal exports during the economic crisis remained buoyant and grain exports, after a number of years of drought, have recommenced. Imports of iron ore and exports of steel have been below expectations due to the world economic conditions
and the number 5 blast furnace reline by BlueScope Steel which occurred from January to June 2009. The port expects that steel operations will normalise in coming months. PKPC is currently seeking concurrent Concept Plan Approval and Major Project Approval under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 for the development of the Outer Harbour. The Environmental Assessment (EA) process for the development is also progressing well. The Outer Harbour Master Plan has been designed to guide the development of Port Kembla’s Outer Harbour well into the future. An important element of the Master Plan is that the development will be staged to meet the needs of customers with each stage coordinated into the overall Master Plan to ensure efficient use of land. It is expected that the first stage of the project – to reclaim an initial 8-10 hectares of land will commence later this year. A major customer is already preparing an EA for a project valued at around AUSD175 million.
18. Antwerp Bulk Terminal, Belgium 20 million tonnes
Like any other port in the world, the Port of Antwerp has not escaped the impact the financial economic crisis had on its cargo throughput figures for 2009 – both for the container and bulk sector. Disappointing figures had a major impact on the terminal operators operating in the port. The Sea-Invest group is operating 5 bulk terminals in the port of Antwerp, Belgium, including a granite block terminal under the name Antwerp Bulk Terminal (ABT). ABT offers ample discharge capacity and storage place and is an important gateway for the supply of raw materials to the heavy European industries (steel industry, non-ferrous industry and power stations). For the last couple of years, ABT continued to handle a steady 32million tonnes of dry bulk cargoes including iron ore, coal, biomass, non-ferrous concentrates, coke and solid fuels, industrial minerals and agri-bulk. But with the Port of Antwerp reporting a decrease in dry bulk cargo traffic in their 2009 annual report, cargo throughput at Sea-Invest has been affected as well. Philippe Droesbeke, Communications Manager at Sea-Invest reported on a disappointing year for the company. It saw cargo throughput decline by 40% compared to 2008 – levelling out at 20 million tonnes for 2009.
19. Port of Sept-Iles, Canada 19.8 million tonnes
The Port of Sept-Îles is perhaps one of the rising stars in Canada as the most important ore handling port in the country. The port itself has 12 docks, six of which belong to the Port of Sept-Îles. Each year, nearly 23 million tonnes of merchandise is handled, comprised mainly of iron ore [around 19.8 million tonnes]. Alumina, aluminium, petroleum coke, limestone and other merchandise also transit through the port, as well as more than 400,000 tonnes of petroleum products. Last year, close to a quarter billion dollars in projects was announced making the year a record breaking one in terms of investment. This amount includes port and private investments and consists of the following projects; construction of a new cruise ship dock, the Pointe-Noire terminal optimisation project, the La Relance terminal expansion and Consolidated Thompson’s iron concentrate handling and storage facilities at Pointe-Noire. The development project at the Pointe-Noire terminal represents a USD10 million investment and will consist mainly of expanding dock 31 with a storage area and marine infrastructure in order to begin shipping operations for Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines Ltd. The launch of Consolidated Thompson’s storage and handling operations in the port set a record high for private investment at nearly USD170 million. This new iron ore producer which boasts an initial shipping capacity of 8 million tonnes by late 2010, and which will grow to 16 million tonnes in late 2012 will soon enable the port to reclaim its title as the second busiest port in Canada. The expansion of La Relance terminal represents a total investment of USD30 million. The project consists of building an eighth silo and a material distribution system that will increase the volume the unloading equipment can handle, boost the terminal’s aluminium shipping capacity and offer port users greater flexibility in the management of their shipping operations. Two other iron ore mines are also going into production within the next two years. Labrador Iron Mines Limited and New Millennium Capital Corporation both signed agreements with the Port of Sept-Îles, clearing the way for direct shipping of iron ore to the port’s Pointe-Noire facilities. The two companies are currently developing direct shipping iron ore projects in Schefferville and Labrador. The upswing in demand for iron ore from eastern Canada will increase the port’s annual tonnage to a whopping 70 million tonnes a year by 2015. This year is shaping up to just as busy, with USD70 million in construction under way, thanks in part to Government of Canada stimulus funding, which has invested a total of over USD24 million to help finance these three projects. Cargo throughput for 2010 is estimated to reach 30 million tonnes.
20. Port Cartier, Canada 18.3 million tonnes
Over the years the port of Port Cartier has seen many changes not so much in cargo handling throughput but more in who is running the port. A couple of years ago Quebec Cartier Mining Company was running the ‘show’ but is now a wholly owned subsidiary of ArcelorMittal, the world’s leading steel company. ArcelorMittal Mines Canada operating in Port Cartier is one of Canada’s leading suppliers of iron ore to steel markets around the world, generating some 40% of Canada’s total production. As both a mining and primary processing company, it operates extensive facilities on the North Shore of the St Lawrence Gulf, in the Province of Quebec. Mont-Wright is where the Company operates one of the largest open-pit mines in North America, as well as an iron ore concentration plant. The site is linked by ‘a company rail-link’ to the industrial complex of Port-Cartier, where rail workshops, an internationally competitive pellet plant, a private port and the Company’s corporate offices are located. Committed to the principles of sustainable development, the Canadian mining subsidiary of ArcelorMittal has built its reputation on the pursuit of excellence, quality products, the skills of its 2,000 talented employees and environmental leadership in the industry, as well as effective management that creates shareholder value.
