With the GVK Group securing Australian Government’s nod for port development at Abbot Point, Queensland, it plans to develop and operate Dual Quadrant Shiploaders at Terminal 3.

These facilities require a reduced area and structure compared to the traditional shiploaders and wharf design, according to GVK.

The Quadrant shiploaders means that impact during construction and operation will be significantly less than that envisaged in its approvals.

There is likelihood of reduced noise and seabed disturbance, lower visual and noise impacts during operation, and reduced carbon footprint due to lack of surge bins and conveyors.

Investment

The Hyderabad-based diversified infrastructure company has planned an investment outlay of about $10 billion for the Alpha coal project, which involves a thermal coal mine in Galilee basin, a 495-km railway line, terminal and port facilities at Abbot Point.

Agreements have been reached with majority of landowners and rail infrastructure accreditation has also been procured.

With the infrastructure, it will facilitate not just coal transport for GVK but also for third party rail haulage from other Galilee Basin projects and Bowen Basin coal producers.

The GVK rail corridor from the Galilee Basin to the Abbot Point would help create opportunities for mines in the region to transport their product to the port.

The initial capacity and approvals are for 60 million tonnes a year, which is scalable to 120 mt a year on the single line.

> rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in

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