Latest news with #KeithWilks
West Australian
01-07-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Port of Albany increased grain ship capacity ‘several' years away and more than $10 million in planning
Bigger grain and fertiliser ships could one day berth at the Port of Albany, but it will take 'several years' and more than $10 million in planning before the project breaks ground. The Port of Albany received $10.8 million in the recent State Budget for the design and redevelopment of Berth 1 and Berth 2 to support an increased capacity for grain, fertiliser and mineral sands exports. A State Government spokeswoman said the funding would bankroll engineering designs, preliminary environmental studies and regulatory approvals to 'inform a business case' for an upgraded general purpose berth at the port. Southern Ports has engaged British professional services company Arup to support the planning work as head consultancy. 'Early planning work is already under way but given its nature and complexity, is expected to take several years to complete,' she said. 'Any upgrades to berth capacity would deliver numerous State and regional benefits for farmers, including sustaining demand for grain exports to global markets, as well as the import of fertiliser each year to support higher grower yields. 'More broadly, future development of the Port would also position it for growth in additional grain exports, cruise tourism, fertiliser imports, project cargo such as wind turbines, other dry bulk, and contribute to the ongoing economic prosperity of the Great Southern region.' Grain export records tumbled at the Port of Albany in 2022-23, powered by WA farmers' record grain harvest of 26 million tonnes, with a history-making 4.1Mt exported from the Great Southern port that year. Planning and development work for upgrades at the Port of Albany were promised by WA Labor in February prior to the State Election, with then-ports minister David Michael describing the upgrades as 'critical for the ongoing strength of our local industries and economy'. Southern Ports chief executive Keith Wilks welcomed the funding and said it built on work 'already under way'. 'It allows us to progress the early designs and environmental studies required to bring the project a step closer,' he said. 'This planning and development work to renew our critical but ageing berth infrastructure is essential to the Port of Albany's future and its continued role in driving trade, cruise tourism and economic prosperity within the Great Southern region.' Farmers in the Albany Port Zone produced their biggest crop on record last harvest at 5.27 million tonnes, nearly all of which was destined to be shipped to various export markets from the Port of Albany. A CBH spokesman said the co-operative welcomed the investment into regional port infrastructure and it 'looks forwards to engaging with port authorities'. Grain production is expected to increase across as farmers across the region start to use more paddocks for cropping, rather than livestock production, as WA's sheep flock continues to decline.
West Australian
26-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Gold Valley iron ore exporting from Bunbury port in first ever South West shipping expansion
Gold Valley iron ore, a Perth-based company, have expanded their reach to Southern WA exporting from the Bunbury port for the first time. The decision to start exporting from Bunbury followed the company also beginning shipments from Esperance earlier this year. Gold Valley chair Yuzheng Xie said expanding shipments to the regions would be beneficial for the company. 'We were confident working with Southern Ports to export the product for the long term, knowing it would be beneficial for Gold Valley and the port,' he said. 'This iron concentrate supplements our iron ore that we export through the Port of Esperance to our global steel manufacturer with Gold Valley currently supplying over seven countries.' In two shipments in as many months, Gold Valley exported 93,000 tonnes of iron concentrate from Bunbury to China. The first shipment from Bunbury departed on March 9 after seven days of loading the concentrate onto Bao Yue Ling. The second shipment followed in April. Southern Ports chief executive officer Keith Wilks said he was pleased to have Gold Valley export from Bunbury port as well as Esperance. 'We're always actively seeking new and expanded trade opportunities with current and potential customers to help diversify our services and stimulate trade,' Mr Wilks said. 'It's fantastic to see that our partnership with Gold Valley has led to new opportunities to export through another one of our ports. 'We believe that strong regional ports contribute to strong regions, and this is the perfect example of this vision in action.'
West Australian
14-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Cruise ship season 2025 wraps up with 20,000 tourists visiting the Port of Albany in seven months
Albany's 2024-25 cruise season has drawn to a close with tens of thousands of visitors deposited in the port city since October and a special few leaving with a thoughtful gift from the Men's Shed. The departure of the Insignia last Wednesday represented the last of the region's boat-bound tourists, with almost 20,000 visitors landing in the Great Southern from 18 vessels in the seven months since the season's October beginning. The captain of each cruise vessel making its maiden voyage to the Port of Albany was presented with a plaque made by the Albany Men's Shed made with timber from the port's former deep-water jetty. Southern Ports chief executive Keith Wilks said the majority of the ships were visiting for the first time. 'Sixty per cent of our cruise ship visits this season were the first time those vessels had come into our ports, which shows just how popular our regions are becoming,' he said. 'Every cruise visit is another chance to showcase our spectacular regions to new groups of visitors and we're proud of the role we play in that. 'Cruise visits result in money being spent in local economies and many passengers come back for longer visits after getting a first taste of the region. 'There is so much for tourists to discover and see throughout the Great Southern, Goldfields-Esperance and South West regions that it is impossible to do it all during just one visit.' Significant numbers of tourists explored the Great Southern on their cruise ship maiden voyage to the region, with the Crown Princess delivering 3000 in November, the MSC Magnifica offering more than 2000 in March and 1800 embarking from the Westerdam in December. 'Having so many new vessels include Albany on their itineraries is a reflection on the fact it is one of WA's premier cruise destinations and the industry is continuing to bounce back strongly,' Mr Wilks said. 'Because cruise visits often lead to visitors returning at a later date it's difficult to measure their full impact on our regional economies, but it's certainly overwhelmingly positive.' The 2023-24 cruise season made a $385m economic impact throughout WA, according to data from the Australian Cruise Association.
West Australian
07-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Southern Ports supports Foodbank Albany with donation match for Tour of Albany open road cycle ride
A Southern Ports pledge to an open road cycle event later this month has meant that Foodbank Albany will have double the funds to help feed people doing it tough in the Great Southern. The ports authority promised to match any donations made to the Tour of Albany cycle event in the lead up from April 30 to May 7. Run by Perth Integrated Events Team, the open road event, which will take place on Saturday May 24, is now in its seventh year. The 2025 event is the first time Foodbank Albany has been supported, with the proceeds usually donated to MSWA. Foodbank WA chief executive Kate O'Hara said she is thrilled for Albany Foodbank to be chosen this year, in light of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis that makes it harder for people to provide for their families. 'This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of those struggling to put food on the table in the Great Southern,' she said. 'We are grateful for our strong partnerships, which recognise the crucial work Foodbank Albany does in the region and how they help to drive meaningful change.' The Albany branch of Foodbank has provided the equivalent of 389,529 meals by distributing 216,189kg of food to vulnerable people this financial year and supports school breakfast programs, charity partners and a mobile Foodbank van. More than $2000 — the equivalent of 4180 meals — has been raised for the charity as of May 7. Southern Ports chief executive Keith Wilks said the campaign is an extension of the organisation's formal 12-month support partnership, inked in June 2023. 'I'm thrilled we could extend our long-standing support of Foodbank for the Tour of Albany's matched giving campaign from April 30 to May 7, 2025,' he said. 'I know the funds raised will deliver a positive and lasting impact for those needing emergency food relief across the Great Southern region.' The Tour consists of three lengths cyclists can chosen from — Piccolo 40km, Medio 88km and Gran 140km — beginning at Emu Point, through the outer fringes of the city, and back along Frenchman's Bay Road. The Gran ride also includes the Lower Denmark Road towards Anvil Beach. Donations can be made on the Raisely — Tour of Albany website .
