RG Tanna Coal Terminal

From Global Energy Monitor

RG Tanna Coal Terminal is a coal export terminal which was originally known as the Clinton Coal Facility, within the Port of Gladstone in central Queensland, Australia.

The facility is owned by the Gladstone Ports Corporation.

Location

The RG Tanna terminal is part of the larger Port of Gladstone complex, which also includes the newly constructed Wiggins Island Coal Terminal.

Loading map...

Project Details

  • Owner: Gladstone Ports Corporation
  • Location: Port of Gladstone, Queensland, Australia
  • Coal Handling Capacity: 60 mtpa[1][2]
  • Status: Operating
  • Start year: 1980
  • Type: Exports
  • Coal source: Callide[1], Blackwater, Ensham, Moura, Gregory, Kestrel, Jellinbah(Lake Vermont), Curragh, Yarrabee, Oaky Creek, Cook, Rolleston, Minerva and Baralaba mines, Australia[3][4]

Background

The RG Tanna Coal Terminal (RGTCT) is one of eight main wharf centres at the Port of Gladstone in Queensland, which also includes the Wiggins Island Coal Terminal. Originally known as Clinton Coal Facility, the RG Tanna Coal Terminal was approved for construction in 1976-77 when BHP Co Ltd advised it had secured long term contracts for the sale of coking coal to Japanese steel mills. In its first full year of operation in 1980-81, the terminal exported 4.3 million tons of coal.[2][5]

In 2004 the capacity of the terminal was increased to 40 mtpa.[6] As of August 2021, the capacity is listed as "in excess of 60 mtpa".[2]

In 2020, the Port of Gladstone exported 71.7 Mt of coal, predominately through RGTCT.[7][5]

In June 2020, the Queensland Government approved the multi-million dollar Shiploader 1 replacement project at RG Tanna Coal Terminal, to replace the existing shiploader that had reached the end of its operating life.[7]

In February 2022, the new shiploader was installed to secure the capacity of the coal terminal for another 25 years.[8]

Coal source

In a port guide, the Ports Corporation states that coal exported from the terminal originates from the Blackwater, Ensham, Moura, Gregory, Kestrel, Jellinbah, Curragh, Yarrabee, Oaky Creek, Cook, Rolleston, Minerva and Baralaba mines, and is transported by rail via either the Moura or Blackwater Line.[3][4]

Destination

The majority of coal handled at the port is coking coal, which is exported to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Italy and France for steel manufacturing. Approximately 30 per cent of the coal exported is thermal, which is used to fuel the boilers of power stations in Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Israel.[5]

Proposed expansion

Future plans for a fifth berth and fourth ship loader could increase the terminal's annual capacity to 90-100 mtpa, according to "Gladstone Ports Corporation 50-Year Strategic Plan", published in 2012.[9] However, through July of 2021, RG Tanna Coal Terminal only completed the upgrade of Shiploader 3.[10]

As of 2021, the plans for further expansion appear to be cancelled.

Articles and Resources

Sources

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Gladstone Coal Terminal expansion," GHD, Accessed August 2021
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Our History," Gladstone Ports Corporation, accessed 20 August 2021
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Port of Gladstone Information Handbook", March 2011, pages 13 and 14.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Prospectus - Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure", December 8, 2020, pages 32.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Port of Gladstone," Gladstone Ports Corporation, accessed 20 August 2021
  6. "Celebrating 40 Years of RG Tanna Coal Terminal," Gladstone Ports Corporation, accessed 20 August 2021
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Annual report 2019/2020," Gladstone Ports Corporation, August 13, 2020
  8. Abby Williams, NEW COAL LOADER FOR GLADSTONE,Daily Cargo News, February 8, 2022
  9. "Gladstone Ports Corporation 50-Year Strategic Plan", Gladstone Ports Corporation, July 2012, page 7.
  10. "Major Gladstone Ports upgrade to Shiploader 3 complete", Infra Structure, July 2, 2021.

Related GEM.wiki articles