PERTH (miningweekly.com) – An expression of interest was released on Wednesday for the design and construction of a new wharf at the Port of Dampier, which will be used by privately-held Perdaman for urea exports.

The new wharf will be constructed south of the existing Dampier Cargo Wharf and includes a new berth pocket which will be 13.2 m deep, and a manoeuvring area 11 m deep. 

The new wharf will be equipped by Perdaman with bulk handling facilities for urea, including a storage shed, a conveyor system and a shiploader, and the new wharf will help facilitate the proposed A$4.3-billion Perdaman Karratha urea project, which will open up access to worldwide markets for the export of urea, predominately used for fertilisers, said Ports Minister Rita Saffioti.

“This expression of interest is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to show their interest in working on a transformational project that will ensure the supply of urea domestically and internationally for decades to come. 

“This new piece of infrastructure will also accommodate general cargo vessels and cruise ships. This project will create thousands of regional jobs, including opportunities for locally-based subcontractors,” she said.

Perdaman’s Karratha project was granted Major Project status by the Australian government last year, and was granted Significant Project status by the Western Australian government. The plant will transform natural gas into urea, a widely used form of fertiliser for production of food for the future generation. Perdaman has secured natural gas for 20 years from Woodside under the gas supply agreement signed in November 2018.

The facility will produce two-million tons of urea a year, estimated to generate more than $850-million a year in export earnings for Western Australia, and will create 200 permanent jobs in Karratha.

Perdaman is hoping to achieve full production at the project by the second quarter of 2025.

State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister Roger Cook said the project was an important part of the state government’s diversification strategy.

"It will create jobs and it will help stimulate trade and investment. The new wharf will help facilitate the Perdaman urea project, as well as allowing the docking of bulk carrier, cruise ships and general cargo vessels.

“It is also part of Diversify WA's supply chain strategy for sectors such as agriculture and transport.”

The expression of interest, being run by Pilbara Ports Authority, includes the dredging of a berth pocket and the construction of a new wharf. The construction of the new wharf and facilities is being funded by the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility and a contribution from the Western Australian government.