Pilbara Ports has awarded two new contracts for the construction of the Lumsden Point multipurpose terminal in the port of Port Headland. The facility, supported by the Australian and Western Australian governments, will facilitate the export of battery metals such as lithium and copper concentrates, import renewable energy infrastructure including wind turbines and blades, and support the growth of direct shipping services to the Pilbara.

The Australian Government is investing $565 million in common user port upgrades in the Pilbara, $450 million of which will enable the development of new multi-user facilities and berths at Lumsden Point.

This is in partnership with the Western Australian Government, which is contributing $96.6 million to the project.

The first deal was awarded to Jan De Nul for dredging and reclamation. This contract will create a new access channel in the port to enable vessels to safely berth at Lumsden Point, a swing basin and berth pockets suitable to accommodate non-tidally restricted vessels.

Jan De Nul will mobilise to the site in May 2024 to prepare for dredging, which is expected to begin in September 2024.

The second contract is to MGN Civil for the construction of the causeway, which will connect the new wharf to the proposed logistics hub area. Construction started in April.

The project also recently achieved a crucial milestone, with the seawalls completed in March. Completing the seawalls is critical to enabling dredging and subsequent construction stages to progress.

“The Pilbara is the economic powerhouse of the nation, and the Lumsden Point project will ensure it remains that way well into the future,” WA Minister for Ports, David Michael, said. “This vital infrastructure will facilitate trade growth at the port and position Port Hedland at the forefront of future green industries.

“It’s fantastic to see the progress being made at Lumsden Point. The completion of the seawalls and recent award of the dredging and land reclamation and causeway construction contracts represent significant milestones in the project’s advancement which will drive economic growth and regional employment opportunities,” Michael said.