BHP Mitsubishi Alliance’s (BMA) Hay Point team celebrated the much-anticipated completion of the Shiploader and Berth Replacement Project, nicknamed SABR.
The celebration included tours of the upgraded terminal, a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony by Yuwi elder Uncle Philip Kemp and a meet-and-greet dinner with project partners and local dignitaries at the Hay Point Hotel Motel.
In operation since 1971, the Hay Point coal terminal has undergone multiple expansion projects over its lifespan.
BMA said the replacement works, requiring 15,000 tonnes of steel, will reinforce Hay Point’s ability to deliver coal to customers into the future.
“The completion of the SABR project will improve the terminal’s cyclone immunity and ensure its long-term sustainability,” BMA head of asset projects Gaia Antoniucci said.
“I’m so proud of all of the teams who worked tirelessly day-in, day-out both on-site during construction, as well as behind the scenes, and of the fantastic integration between the various parts of the different organisations to ensure the project ran without any major issues, and with the utmost focus on safety and the best outcomes for project delivery.”
Over three years, SABR absorbed more than 250,000 work hours during construction, and supported almost 700 BMA and contractor personnel working over the life of the project to carry out the transformation.
“The terminal is a very busy place, which is constantly working for our customers. It needs to be at its best to ensure BMA remain the world’s largest exporter of seaborne metallurgical coal,” Hay Point general manager Linda Murry said.
“This has not just been an investment for BMA, but for central Queensland more broadly. Hay Point’s increased capacity will drive economic growth throughout the region well beyond this port.
“We’re hugely proud of our ongoing contribution to central Queensland.”
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