HEIDELBERG Materials is trialling rotating container technology for its first shipment of silica sand out of the Port of Bunbury.
Heidelberg Materials Silica Sand Program Market Development Manager Phil Green said the company had turned to Bunbury for more flexibility and efficient shipping options and will work with Southern Ports and Qube on what future loading options might look like.
A new customer for the port, Heidelberg Materials first shipment last week exported more than 50,000 tonnes of high-quality silica sand to South Korea where it will be used in glass manufacturing for smart phones, televisions and other devices.
“This development is expected to further enhance our capabilities and streamline our operations, providing us with more flexibility and efficient shipping options,” said Mr Green.
“There’s high demand for silica sand across global markets. We have the product, but we just need an efficient pathway to transport it to our international customers – and that’s where the Port of Bunbury comes in.
“We’ve started working with Southern Ports to determine how we continue to increase our exports, which have previously been restricted by access to berth space and vessels at other ports.”
The silica sand was hauled from quarries 200 kilometres from the Port of Bunbury, the closest regional port, for export on bulk carrier Tomini Dynasty.
Heidelberg Materials has become the second exporter of silica sand at the Port of Bunbury joining Kemerton Silica Sands.
Heidelberg Materials (once known as Hanson Australia) has previously exported silica sand to 10 different countries with approximately 16 vessels per year – and is now looking to return to these markets with the support of Bunbury Port and available shipping slots.
While Heidelberg Materials predominantly provides a comprehensive range of quality, innovative, low-carbon and high-recycled construction materials, including concrete, aggregates and asphalt, its silica sand operations are growing in WA.
Southern Ports CEO Keith Wilks said he was thrilled to see the Port of Bunbury thriving with new customers.
“We’re pleased to welcome Heidelberg Materials into our customer base for what looks like a fantastic partnership ahead,” Mr Wilks said.
“We’ve had a host of new customers at our Port of Bunbury over the past year including the likes of Sugar Australia and Helix Energy Solutions, all with very different requirements and we’ve been able to work closely with them to ensure we can meet their needs.
“We’re continuously looking at how we can work with our customers to build trade and ensure shipping is moving efficiently, so we’re thrilled when new customers like Heidelberg Materials join us based on what we can offer.
“As the closest regional port to the Perth metropolitan area, the Port of Bunbury is ideally situated for exporters looking to get their cargo out from the Perth metropolitan area.”
The Port of Bunbury has also become a key port for large-scale project cargo imports given its significant land size and capacity for temporary storage before transport of items such as wind turbine components, steel for construction of refineries and large-scale batteries.
