TMS Awards 2023TelestackVan AalstViganPort of South LouisianaGeneva Dry
  • TBA Group
  • Geneva Dry
  • Telestack
  • Van Aalst
  • Port of South Louisiana
  • Sailors Society

Port of Townsville fertilizer boost

Port of Townsville fertilizer boost

(Posted on 28/05/19)

Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk was at the Port of Townsville last week announcing prescribed project status for an Agripower Australia Ltd processing plant to be built in Yabulu near Townsville.

Agripower will use the Port of Townsville to export fertiliser to the world, sourcing it from one of the world's largest deposits of amorphous silica at Greenvale.

Eventually, Agripower expects to produce 1-million tonnes of fertiliser annually from the facility.

Palaszczuk said Agripower Australia Limited’s $663 million Fertiliser Expansion Project could create 490 jobs during construction and 470 ongoing operational jobs.

“Agripower’s amorphous silica is sourced from what is believed to be the world’s largest deposit of the mineral near Greenvale,” the Premier said.

“Agripower believes that a two billion tonne deposit could create a mine life of 200 years.”

The Premier said Agripower had recently completed construction of a processing facility near Charters Towers able to produce 240,000 tonne of fertiliser per year.

That facility is expected to become operational next month, with the first shipment of 5000 tonnes to be exported to Indian from the Port of Townsville in July.

“The completion of the processing facility is good news for Charters Towers and North Queensland,” the Premier said.

“But I am pleased to see Agripower planning for the future demand for this Queensland resource by looking to develop a $663 million processing facility near Yabulu.

“Each year, Agripower expects to produce one million tonnes of fertiliser from the new facility, to be exported to the world – and to do that with a project life of up to 200 years.

“This can mean local jobs for local skilled workers for generations to come.”

State Development Minister Cameron Dick said prescribed project status enables Queensland’s independent Coordinator-General to assist the proponent to progress the project efficiently by ensuring timely approvals across all agencies.

He said the Office of the Coordinator-General would work with the proponent to identify and navigate the most efficient approvals pathway for the project.

The project is the latest in recent activity from the Palaszczuk Government which has also included:

  • Approval for the $1 billion Olive Downs Metallurgical Coal Mine, supporting 1500 jobs
  • Coordinated status for the $1 billion Winchester South Metallurgical Coal Mine, supporting 950 jobs
  • Approval of nine new mining leases for the Resolute Mine near Ravenswood, supporting 380 jobs

Since January 2015, 199,000 jobs have been created in Queensland.

More than 1000 jobs have been created in the Townsville region in the past year.

Agripower has been undertaking open pit mining at the mine site near Greenvale since 2012 where it processes amorphous silica at their Charters Towers processing facility.

Latest News

North Sea Port and Canadian ports intensive cooperation

(Posted on 07/02/25)

North Sea Port will cooperate intensively with the Canadian ports of Montréal, Québec,... Read more


AD Ports 50-year land lease with Al Ain Mills for grains storage

(Posted on 07/02/25)

AD Ports Group has signed a 50-year land lease agreement with Al Ain Mills, a member of Al Hazaa Investment... Read more


Lagging iron ore offsets export surge in Duluth

(Posted on 31/01/25)

Total waterborne tonnage through the Port of Duluth-Superior declined 6.8 percent compared to the 2023... Read more


Fertilisers up as Antwerp-Bruges shows growth despite challenges

(Posted on 31/01/25)

Port of Antwerp-Bruges closed 2024 with 2.3% growth in total throughput, amounting to 278 million tons... Read more


Focus on speed limits around the Erasmusbrug in Rotterdam

(Posted on 30/01/25)

In 2024, the number of visits by incoming sea-going vessels in the port of Rotterdam fell slightly:... Read more


Dry bulk increases again in North Sea Port

(Posted on 20/01/25)

In 2024, the North Sea Port companies recorded a volume of 66.3 million tons of seaborne cargo transhipment... Read more


AD Ports to invest in Sarzha Grain Terminal in Kazakhstan

(Posted on 20/01/25)

AD Ports Group, a leading facilitator of global trade, logistics, and industry based in Abu Dhabi, has... Read more


Leading Vietnamese seaport makes impression at 12th PorTech Asia Summit

(Posted on 17/01/25)

Long An International Port has made its inaugural appearance at the 12th PorTech Asia Summit 2025 and... Read more


Rhenus becomes majority shareholder of Bulk Cargo – Port Szczecin

(Posted on 10/01/25)

Germany based Rhenus Group has acquired an additional 58,5 percent of shares in the Polish port operation... Read more


AD Ports closes strong year of growth

(Posted on 07/01/25)

AD Ports Group has solidified its position as a leading facilitator of global trade and logistics through... Read more


Bühler GmbHPort of StocktonCimbriaSailors SocietyTBA Group
  • Port of Stockton
  • TMS Awards 2023
  • Cimbria

Subscribe to our newsletter

Keep up to date with the latest global news in bulk cargo handling and shipping