The largest fuel tanker to ever enter the Port of Newcastle arrived on Monday.
The 244-metre Pro Alliance long range 2 class tanker berthed at Stolthaven’s Mayfield 7 dedicated bulk liquids terminal, a purpose-built facility catering to vessels of similar size, at about 11am.
A four-year project between Stolthaven, Port of Newcastle, Port Authority of NSW and Svitzer made receiving deep-draft inbound tankers up to 245 metres possible.
The partners committed to increasing the port’s capacity through detailed channel simulation investigations, adding active escort tug capability to the port’s fleet and the development of a dynamic under-keel clearance system for deep draft inbound ships, complement the existing outbound system.
Port of Newcastle’s executive manager of marine and operations, Keith Wilks, said the tanker’s arrival was a significant milestone in the port’s history, delivering supply chain flexibility and efficiencies for the oil industry through enhanced channel capacity.
“We are proud to have facilitated the arrival of Pro Alliance at Stolthaven’s bulk liquids terminal,” he said.
“In our 220th year of commercial shipping, milestones such as this signify the evolving role of the port in facilitating global trade through our harbour and driving growth in the regional, state and national economies.”
Stolthaven’s managing director Gordon Lasker said the company had made significant investment in its fuel terminal facility that would benefit its customers and enable greater efficiencies in the bulk liquids supply chain from Newcastle.
“The arrival of our first LR2 tanker is the realisation of a long-term investment in the dedicated bulk liquids precinct at Mayfield 7 berth,” he said.
“We are grateful for the proactive approach by Port of Newcastle to support not only our current business but also our future expansion plans.”
The milestone follows the arrival of the port’s first long range 1 tanker in early January.
Extracted from Herald Sun
