Huge shipments of wood chips that leave Tasmanian ports every month will be the big beneficiaries after the state government vowed to develop a new ship loader system “that will include the installation of a new automatic chip sampler.”
Wood Central understands that the sampler, which will be installed at the Port of Bell Bay by 2026 – responsible for more than 60% of Tasmania’s exports, will replace the current manual sampling process, thus enabling faster and more accurate analysis of wood chips.
The new investment comes after the Tasmanian Liberal Government – which earlier this year secured re-election – delivered on a $82 million investment to replace the minerals ship loader at the Port of Burnie:
“The present one [from] 1992 is due for replacement, and during next year, tenders will go out for the construction of the new ship loader,” said Kerry Vincent, Infrastructure Minister, who with Eric Abetz, Tasmania’s Minister for Business, Industry and Resources announced the new $15 million pledge from the port.
“This investment in sophisticated infrastructure is about securing forestry jobs across Tasmania,” Minister Abetz said, adding that “the new ship loader will deliver advanced automation, increased capacity and enhanced biosecurity measures, enabling larger vessels’ faster and more efficient loading.”
“Importantly, this state-of-the-art equipment can seamlessly sample and fumigate wood chips during loading, saving time and improving product quality, delivering significant benefits for Tasmanian businesses and exporters.”
“As global demand for sustainable timber grows, these upgrades will provide greater reliability and position Bell Bay for future growth,” Minister Abetz said.
Eric Abetz, Tasmania’s Minister for Business, Industry and Resources on the importance of forest exports to the Tasmanian economy.
According to Anthony Donald, TasPorts CEO, the new commitment is a key plank in supporting the State’s forestry sector and ensuring the Port of Bell Bay continues to play a key role in the State’s export economy.
“This project is a game-changer for Bell Bay and our forestry customers,” Mr Donald said. “The new ship loader will provide greater reach, improved clearance for larger vessels, and increased reliability, ensuring we can meet the growing demands of the forestry industry.”
“We’ve worked closely with our customers to design a solution that improves efficiency while addressing key priorities like safety, energy savings, and biosecurity compliance.”
Tasmanian Forest Products Association CEO Nick Steel has welcomed the project, describing it as long overdue. “For years, the TFPA has been pushing for the construction of the new loader. We started lobbying for its construction as part of our 2021 state budget submission.”
“Forestry relies on the state’s main ports, as they are essential in receiving and sending forest and wood products to interstate and overseas markets.”
Mr Steel said that Tasmanian wood chips are essential in producing cardboard and paper and creating new types of energy sources – like biomass: “This new ship loader will open bigger and more markets to our Tasmanian businesses, address our industry’s need for greater efficiency and biosecurity, and reinforce the port’s role in the state’s export economy.”
