Bowen business and community leaders have gathered to mark record annual throughput at the North Queensland Export Terminal as the facility prepares to celebrate 40 years of safe operations next year.

Terminal operator Abbot Point Operations (APO) hosted an event at the Grand View Hotel recently to celebrate the highest volume of product shipped in any year since the Terminal opened in 1984.

APO General Manager Port Operations Allan Brown said he was enormously proud of the world-class performance of the 400 local men and women who manage operations at the Terminal.

“Last financial year we broke the record for trains unloaded and coal shipped through the Terminal in a 12-month period, with more than 33.4 million tonnes exported,” he said.

“We did that with a strong safety performance and no reportable environmental incidents, which is testament to our people, their experience, and their dedication to stewardship of the site.

“It’s also important to recognise these achievements are part of a larger team effort and would not have been possible without the support of our suppliers, North Queensland Bulk Ports and the Terminal leaseholders, NQXT.”

APO is contracted to NQXT to manage operations of the North Queensland Export Terminal, which is located within the Port of Abbot Point, about 20 minutes north of Bowen.

Mr Brown said APO prioritised safety and the protection of the local environment, while creating jobs and supporting the local community.

APO spends almost half its contract spend on local and regional service providers and provided more than $300,000 to charities and local organisations through its Community Support Program.

“It is important that we share the Terminal’s successes with the local Bowen community, where our employees and their families live,” Mr Brown said.

“Each year, we consult with the Bowen community to understand their needs and challenges. We then work with community organisations and provide funding through our Community Support Program for the areas and projects that will help change lives and make the local community a healthier, more supportive, and vibrant place to live.”

Mr Brown said the achievements were just the beginning for the port.

“We plan to be here for many years to come shipping coal, creating local jobs, keeping our people safe and giving back to our local community,” he said.

ENDS

Editor’s notes:

Photo caption: Abbot Point Operations General Manager Port Operations Allan Brown with guests at the event.

About Abbot Point Operations

• Bravus’ Abbot Point Operations (APO) helps deliver high quality Queensland coal to the world through its safe, efficient, and responsible management of the North Queensland Export Terminal’s (NQXT) operations.
• In meeting the needs of Queensland coal producers, APO prioritises the safety of everyone on its site and protection of the local environment, while creating jobs and supporting local community programs.
• APO has the systems, people, and infrastructure in place to ensure the safe, efficient and responsible operations of NQXT. With 190 local employees and a supporting workforce of contractors, APO balances the social, economic, and environmental aspects of the terminal operations.
• APO is dedicated to innovation and continuous improvement of its systems and practices to help its people work safer, smarter and with great care for the local community and environment.
• APO embodies Bravus’ mission to support the communities in which it operates with its Grow Local Community Support Program providing significant funding to community groups, organisations, and initiatives in the local area.
• About $2 million has been awarded under the program since 2017, focusing on education, health, community wellbeing and youth opportunities. Each year, APO consults with community stakeholders to determine issues, challenges, and priorities for support.

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