Gladstone Ports Corporation’s (GPC) Barney Point Terminal has closed all coal operations to focus on dry bulk and other possible new trade opportunities.
GPC Chairman Leo Zussino said the closure of coal operations at the terminal is in line with GPC’s 50 Year Strategic Plan and commitment to the communities in which it operates.
“In 2008, as part of GPC’s commitment to a healthier environment for the Gladstone community, Gladstone Ports Corporation announced that coal operations at Barney Point Terminal would cease during the first year of continuous operations at the Wiggins Island Coal Terminal (WICT).
“This commitment has now been fulfilled,” Mr Zussino said.
Mitsui Coal Holdings (then Mitsui and Co.) was an original joint venture owner of the Barney Point Terminal, which was established to export coal from the Moura mine in which Mitsui has continued part ownership since the commencement of operations in the early 1960s.
The Barney Point Coal Terminal was constructed in 1967 by joint venture, Thiess Peabody Mitsui (TPM).
Operations commenced at the terminal in August 1967 with 1,600 tonnes of Moura coal exported on 9 August that year.
GPC purchased the facility from BHP Mitsui Coal in November 1998, extending the capacity of its bulk handling operations.
In recognition of this significant milestone, a delegation of representatives from Mitsui Coal Holdings and Anglo American attended a commemorative event to celebrate the departure of the final coal shipment.
The Barney Point Terminal exported its final shipment of coal on 19 May 2016.
Acting Chief Executive Officer, Michael Galt said GPC confirmed that the closure of coal operations at Barney Point Terminal will not impact permanent employee numbers due to port growth, new trade opportunities and the continued utilisation of the RG Tanna Coal Terminal.
“GPC is focused on managing the impact of our operations on the community and ensuring the sustainability of our facilities.
“We look forward to sharing our progress in relation to future plans for the terminal and will communicate further developments as they happen over the coming months,” Mr Galt said.
