Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) has lodged an application to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment for a small modification to its Project Approval.

This will allow NCIG to accommodate the increased demand for their unique services if needed in the future.

There will be no new infrastructure required as part of the modification, and no changes to NCIG’s already approved environmental limits.

Completed environmental assessments also confirm no impact on residential properties as a result of the proposed increase in terminal capacity.

NCIG CEO, Aaron Johansen, said a number of optimisation initiatives have been identified and implemented by NCIG employees over the past four years that have resulted in increased operating efficiency and terminal capability.

The modification to the Project Approval, originally granted in 2007, will enable the maximum throughput of the NCIG terminal to be in line with the capability this innovation provides.

“The modification we are seeking will amend our approved capacity of 66 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) to 79 Mtpa,” Aaron said.

“We are not changing any of our already approved environmental limits, so the community and our neighbours are unlikely to notice the change.”

NCIG has identified and implemented several optimisation initiatives that will deliver greater flexibility for customers.

The de-linking of rail transport and ship loading helps to prevent congestion and improve efficiency on the rail network, as train movements can be spread more evenly and not determined by the timing of ships into the Port.

“This is not about more train or ship movements through Newcastle, the port has enough total capacity now to meet expected demand, NCIG are simply seeking to provide flexibility for our customers to make better use of the unique service offering we provide.

NCIG is a technologically advanced business and through the innovation of our people, we’ve identified areas for operational efficiencies which will allow for more efficient use of the terminal facilities.

“Our dedicated stockpiling service allows our customers to make better use of the overall coal chain infrastructure by delinking their production and rail operations from the vessel loading function. We see the potential for higher demand for this unique service offering in the future,” he said.

“We have been working towards this lodgement for at least twelve months. We first advised our Community Engagement Group and the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment from mid-2019 of our intentions to lodge in the first half of 2020.

“By submitting this modification, we are making a further commitment to the Hunter region, our workforce and the community that we are committed to sustainably continuing our operations well into the future.”

NCIG will continue to consult with stakeholders, including the NCIG Community Engagement Group and the wider community, on the project over the coming months.

IMAGE | Picture taken from Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group site.