Construction has begun on a new $52 million materials handling facility at Geraldton Port, the Western Australian Government has announced.
It marks the first major activity on site as part of the State Government’s $350 million Port Maximisation Project (PMaxP), which is set to significantly expand capacity of Geraldton Port and facilitate the export of new commodities from the region.
“Geraldton Port is critical to the economic development of our Mid West region and the State, providing a gateway for high value agricultural and mineral products which are exported to the world,” said Ports Minister, Stephen Dawson.
“This new facility marks an important milestone in the Geraldton Port Maximisation Project and will improve safety, environmental and efficiency outcomes across the entire port.
“Export tonnage through Geraldton will only continue to grow, with more grain, iron ore and minerals exports handled every year.”
The new facility will streamline the loading of mineral sands and other products directly by conveyor from truck to bulk vessels alongside Berth 4. It will allow vessels to be loaded at increased speeds delivering significant cost savings to the region’s exporters, as well as improve the port’s overall efficiency, said Minister Dawson.
Importantly, the management of dust emissions has been incorporated into its design, which is fully enclosed and features dust extraction systems, he said. A state-of-the-art washdown water treatment system is also being installed which will see washdown water treated, reused and recycled.
Construction of the truck unloading facility is expected to be complete in late 2026.
The next project in the PMaxP pipeline is the proposed Surge Protection Breakwater, which will address wave action restrictions that prevent ships entering and exiting the port which currently cost the port 30 lost productive days per year.
The project is currently under assessment by the WA Environmental Protection Authority.
