News – July 17, 2008
ABC Regional Online reports that a planned A$40 million upgrade to the port at Ceduna on the far west coast of South Australia could see it transformed.
Under a plan being developed by the region’s development board, Ceduna could see dredging to allow for Handymax ships and partial loading of Panamax sized ships – to be paid for by groups including the mining and agricultural industries.
Said the report: “Eyre Regional Development Board chief executive Mark Cant says it would be a significant step towards helping capitalise on the mining boom in the region. He says it would also be aimed at helping agricultural exports.
“What we’re doing at the moment, we’re actually doing a business case which involves the agricultural sector and the mining industry in that location and that will identify the potential tonnage that will actually go through the port and recommend if that dredging is going to go ahead,” he told ABC.
“It could be quoted over a period of 10 to 15 years and it would be on a tonnage rate or it could be an up-front payment.”