Break bulk and heavy lift ship, the BBC Pearl (IMO 9504786) was the first vessel to sail into Lumsden Point, a new facility located in Port Hedland and built to support the Iron Bridge Magnetite Project.
The 2012-built BBC Pearl has 12,838 gross tons, a length overall of 153 metres and a beam of 23 metres.
BBC Chartering has been contracted by NMT Global Project Logistics and Fortescue Metals Group to carry heavy-lift steel module structures, ancillary cargoes, and containers for the “Iron Bridge” project. A contract comprising a minimum shipment volume of 600,000 revenue tons.
The vessel was loaded in Wison, China, and was received and unloaded by Qube Stevedores at Port Hedland. Shipments will be in lots ranging from 18 to 35,000 cubic metres and include heavy lifts of up to 300 tons. Shipments for the project are ongoing and are expected to complete in April/May 2022.
Heavy-lift modules and components will be assembled on site for the ore processing facility. The Iron Bridge project will give FMG the ability to deliver a product over 67% Fe content. The mine development is anticipated to produce 22 million metric tons per annum for export.
“The high volume of cargo on this project has led to the establishment of Lumsden Point, which is currently a dedicated facility for FMG’s module discharge. This new berth will alleviate pressure on the existing Port Hedland infrastructure, allowing for a greater volume of project cargo to be received, as well as exports from the region,” the company says.
Commenting on the new facility, Pilbara Ports CEO, Roger Johnston said: “Lumsden Point is envisaged to become a multi-user facility and logistics hub that will alleviate the demand on existing cargo berths at the Port of Port Hedland. This will help support direct shipping services from Asia, the ongoing development of battery mineral mines, as well as providing opportunities for expanding agribusiness and proposed renewable energy projects in the Pilbara. To date, $143 million has been invested in dredging and land development at Lumsden Point”.
