Abbot Point Operations has celebrated 40 years of exports from their terminal just north of Bowen, with the 6,902nd vessel safely berthing and loaded with 60,000 tonnes of coking coal.
It was 1984 when the Fukukawa Maru, the first vessel for the terminal, arrived at the facility, loaded with coal from Bowen or the Galilee Basin mines, to be exported across the world.
Abbot Point Operations General Manager Port Operations Allan Brown said the milestone was a credit to the hundreds of local workers who had maintained the Terminal for more than a generation.
“Our people are our business, and they are the foundation of 40 years of dedicated best practice in operating and maintaining this critical piece of national infrastructure,” Mr Brown said.
“From the production crew to the pilots, the tradespeople to the train drivers, and the engineers to the enviros, each member of our dedicated team has played a vital role in shaping the success story of the North Queensland Export Terminal.
“We’re proud of our role in helping transport high-quality Queensland metallurgical and thermal coal to the world where it advances development and provides affordable and reliable energy that lifts people out of poverty.
“And as Bowen locals we are equally proud of our efforts to ‘Grow Local’ and provide jobs, training, and corporate giving that contribute to the economic and social fabric of our community.
“It’s been wonderful to come together as a team to celebrate this milestone, reflect on the journey so far, as well as chart a course for the next 40 years.”
Abbot Point Operations celebrated the milestone with an anniversary cake at a 400-strong team morning tea.
1. APO General Manager Port Operations Allan Brown and NQXT General Manager Mark Smith cut the 40th anniversary cake.
2. APO HSEC Manager Kate Mee and NQXT General Manager Mark Smith hand special anniversary gifts to the captain and crew of the BBG Liuzhou. Photos supplied
