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750 tonne ship unloader arrives in Port of Newcastle

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A specialist heavy lift ship has delivered one of the largest pieces of cargo to arrive in the Port of Newcastle to bolster bulk handling efficiencies.

A 19,000-tonne specialist heavy lift vessel called Happy Star was on a two-week journey from Vietnam to deliver the 62-metre high, 750-tonne bulk ship unloader into the Port.

The $35 million crane was delivered on 16 May and is now a prominent part of Newcastle’s maritime landscape as the port diversifies.

Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody says the state of the art unloader will be a huge boost in supply chain productivity.

“The previous two unloaders were built in 1968 and were decommissioned in 2018 in order to be replaced with machinery that delivers the highest standards in safety and environmental management and a superior commercial outcome for customers,” he says.

The bulk ship unloader has capacity to unload bulk cargo such as fertilisers, meals and mineral sands at up to 1200 tonnes per hour.

The increase on current discharge rates will vastly improve berth efficiency.

“This investment is part of Port of Newcastle’s commitment to providing the most efficient supply chain for internationally-trading businesses and, ultimately, support the Hunter’s economic growth,” says Craig.

The new unloader will have to undergo a commissioning phase expected to take four months with operation commencing later this year.

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