Cattle focus for iron ore port

Pilbara pastoralists have grabbed their new export path by the horns, shipping 2014 head of cattle to Indonesia from Port Hedland last month.

The first live export boat in four years departed the world’s largest bulk export terminal, the Port of Port Hedland, in September and transported more than 2000 head of cattle bound for Indonesia.

A second live export boat carrying 2800 head was scheduled to depart Port Hedland for Indonesia on October 14.

While cattle exports made up less than half of a percent of the port’s monthly September output, comprising just 664.48 of 44 million tonnes, Pilbara Ports Authority landside operations manager Jon Giles said the facility’s live export capacity had room to grow.

“We are confident that we will be able to cater for more shipments and can accommodate larger numbers of livestock through the port,” he said.

“This will satisfy growing demand in the medium term.

“Planning is already under way for a longer-term salutation to significantly increase the port’s capacity for exports when the industry grows.”

The port’s September output also included 43.3 million tonnes of iron ore, 29,823,00 tonnes of copper concentrate, 295,795 tonnes of sald, 216, 522 tones of spodumene and 15,998 tonnes of ‘general’.