PORT SPENCER DEEP WATER PORT

South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula region produces an annual average of more than 2.6 million tonnes of grain – approximately 8% of the Australian crop.  Of this, 85% is exported – primarily to expanding Asian and Middle East markets.

Port Spencer – a new deep water grain focused, multi-commodity, multi user terminal with greater access than any other port to the heart of this important grain-growing region – is proposed to provide Eyre Peninsula grain growers with greater convenience and improved returns in a highly competitive global market place.

The Port Spencer Project has Major Project Status with the South Australian Government.  The project is “shovel ready” with all of the necessary environmental and planning approvals in place from the SA Minister for Planning to start construction.

The project is awaiting financial close before deploying to site.  Construction is planned to be completed by the end of 2023 in time to generate first revenues from the 2023/24 harvest.

• Increased competition resulting in freight savings and supply chain savings
• Advanced receival and storage technology
• The largest at-port storage facility in the region (currently planning for approximately 800,000 tonne capacity)
• New access to affordable shipping capacity, particularly for small to medium traders, which will bring greater competition to global trade. This should contribute to higher prices paid for SA grain

Port Spencer will also benefit global grain traders by providing:

• Additional shipping slots in the peak demand period of December to March
• Wharf loading of Panamax sized vessels (83,000DWT) and associated cost efficiencies
• Value-add blending capacity to meet buyers’ needs
• Flexibility to further expand ‘at port’ storage

With the closure of the grain rail freight services on Eyre Peninsula, it is estimated that up to an additional 30,000 truck movements will go through the township of Port Lincoln each season. Development of the Port Spencer deep water port facility will divert significant truck movements into, and out of Port Lincoln, reducing road maintenance costs and improving road safety.

Port Spencer’s deep-water port location avoids the need for marine blasting and ongoing dredging, significantly reducing environmental impact and ongoing maintenance costs.  The Port facilities will provide capacity to hold multiple grain types, enhancing the opportunity to increase grain handling speed and throughput.

These factors contribute to Port Spencer having what we believe will be the lowest operating costs for any port in the region.