New West Australian Deepwater Port Plan Unveiled

The Western Australian Government has unveiled a master plan for a multi-user, multi-commodity deepwater port in the Pilbara, which has the potential to be the biggest port in Australia, reports Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) in its latest Australasia newsletter.
 
The State Government has proposed Anketell Port be built on greenfields land about 30 kilometres east of Karratha, and said the project would boast an eventual export capacity of more than 350 million tonnes a year.

If realised, it would be more than double the total exports through the nearby Dampier Port and 20 per cent larger than shipments at Port Hedland, which is Australia's biggest export facility.

Although currently unfunded, the State Government has been actively planning the development of the port so it is "ready to go" for potential investors.

Citing Dampier Port Authority chief executive Steve Lewis ISS says the port would encompass 4,300 hectares of land and eventually include eight berths.

The development of four berths at the port with an export capacity of 115 million tonnes a year has already been given state and federal environmental approval.