MANAGEMENT

Passage to the Pilbara

Pilbara Ports started direct shipping services last November from Asia.

This article is 4 years old. Images might not display.

Pilbara Ports started direct shipping services last November to connect ports at Port Hedland and Dampier with ports across Asia.

There are now four shipping services

Pilbara Ports Authority landside operations manager Jon Giles said bypassing the Port of Fremantle or the overland route from the east coast translated into lower costs for Pilbara businesses and consumers.

Giles said the direct shipping services eliminated the need for cargo to pass through other port facilities.

"Pilbara businesses have traditionally relied on goods being trucked from the Port of Fremantle or overland from the eastern states, which attracted a significant cost in terms of logistics and time," he said.

"Direct shipping also benefits the state and the nation by generating more inbound and outbound freight opportunities."

Giles said PP invested in biosecurity infrastructure, including inspection, treatment and wash bay facilities to attract and facilitate more ships.

Port Hedland has welcomed four shipping services since November, with the Swire Shipping-managed vessel Souni, the latest to sail into port.

The Souni was laden with 30 containers of materials and equipment for local mining and construction projects.

The first direct shipping service to the Port of Dampier was a Bengal Tiger Lines vessel, MCP Graz, in February, with a Sea Swift service also importing and exporting general cargo.

Swire Shipping will operate on two separate schedules.

The first will service Singapore, Darwin and Port Hedland on a dedicated vessel, while the second will deliver containers into Dampier from Singapore on a separate slot charter arrangement.

Swire Shipping commercial manager of mining and resources Stephen Westfield said the direct service would improve shipping in the North West from a cost, sustainability, safety and community involvement perspective.

"These new direct connections enable customers to better plan their inventory, manage their supply chains and reach their carbon-neutral goals up to 2040," he said.

"It is estimated that each container shipped direct into the Pilbara versus via Fremantle will save roughly two tonnes of carbon."

Expert-led Insights reports built on robust data, rigorous analysis and expert commentary covering mining Exploration, Future Fleets, Automation and Digitalisation, and ESG.

Expert-led Insights reports built on robust data, rigorous analysis and expert commentary covering mining Exploration, Future Fleets, Automation and Digitalisation, and ESG.

editions

ESG Index 2025: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Index provides an in-depth evaluation of the ESG performance of 60+ of the world’s largest mining companies. It assesses companies across 10 weighted indicators within 6 essential ESG pillars.

editions

Automation and Digitalisation Insights 2025

Discover how mining companies and investors are adopting, deploying and evaluating new technologies.

editions

Mining IQ Exploration Insights 2025

Gain exclusive insights into the world of exploration in a comprehensive review of the top trending technologies, intercepts, discoveries and more.

editions

Future Fleets Insights 2025

Mining IQ Future Fleets Insights 2025 looks at how companies are using alternative energy sources to cut greenhouse gas emmissions