60m will be spent on upgrading Devonport. Credit: TasPorts
TasPorts has unveiled its Port Master Plan to spend AUS$200m in port infrastructure improvements over the next 15 years.
It will focus investment on providing greater capacity and capability at the four major ports of Bell Bay, Burnie, Devonport and Hobart.
TasPorts’ chief operating officer, Anthony Donald, said: “TasPorts’ Port Master Plan will guide our port infrastructure investment over the next 15 years, ensuring port facilities meet future demand as Tasmania’s economy grows.”
60m for Devonport
60m will be spent on upgrading Devonport to accommodate the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels due to arrive in 2021. Extended berthing facilities will also be a priority, stated Mr Donald.
In Burnie, a major redevelopment may include a new container terminal which would provide a direct trade link to Asia, increased sea freight capacity and berthing to accommodate larger containers and cargo vessels expected to arrive next year.
Plans for Burnie also include an improved logistics and supply chain with optimised ship loading for mineral exports.
Bell Bay exports
Investment at Bell Bay is expected to improve berthing and enable forestry and mining exports from multiple berths, stated Mr Donald. It is also anticipated to include replacement of fuel pipelines, increased capacity for fuel storage and port facility updates.
A new Antarctic logistics precinct will be added at Hobart to boost it as an international Antarctic and Southern Ocean hub. A larger berth will also be developed for Australia’s most recent icebreaker vessel, which will arrive in mid-2020.
Hobart’s commercial port operations will also be upgraded.
Source: Port strategy