Forest Products Industry

A new ship loader at the Port of Bell Bay is set to enhance Tasmania’s forestry export capabilities, increase TasPorts’ capacity and strengthen the State’s economic infrastructure. Source: Timberbiz A $15 million investment in the new ship loader has been announced by the Tasmanian Liberal Government as it delivers the 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future. Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said that Bell Bay enables Tasmania to take its world-class forestry products to the world. “This investment in sophisticated infrastructure is about securing forestry jobs right across Tasmania,” Minister Abetz said. “The new ship loader will deliver advanced automation, increased capacity and enhanced biosecurity measures enabling the faster and more efficient loading of larger vessels. “Importantly, this state-of-the-art equipment can seamlessly sample and fumigate wood chips during the loading process which will save time and improve product quality, delivering significant benefits for Tasmanian businesses and exporters. “As global demand for sustainable timber grows, these upgrades will provide greater reliability and position Bell Bay for future growth. “This significant investment reflects the Government’s strong support of Tasmania’s sustainable forestry sector securing jobs for families across our great State.” The new ship loader will replace equipment that has served the port since 1992, delivering modern features such as advanced automation, increased capacity, and improved biosecurity measures. TasPorts CEO Anthony Donald said the investment demonstrates TasPorts’ commitment to supporting Tasmania’s forestry sector and ensuring the Port of Bell Bay continues to play a key role in the state’s export economy. “This project is a game-changer for Bell Bay and our forestry customers,” Mr Donald said. “The new ship loader will provide greater reach, improved clearance for larger vessels, and increased reliability, ensuring we can meet the growing demands of the forestry industry. “We’ve worked closely with our customers to design a solution that improves efficiency while also addressing key priorities like safety, energy savings, and biosecurity compliance.” The project includes the installation of an automatic chip sampler, which will replace manual sampling processes, delivering faster and more accurate analysis. Additional equipment will enable fumigation during the loading process, improving biosecurity compliance and saving time for exporters. Minister for Infrastructure, Kerry Vincent, welcomed TasPorts’ commitment to supporting Tasmania’s forestry industry and the significant contribution it makes to the state’s economy. “This investment by TasPorts responds directly to the needs of the industry. It will ensure faster, more efficient loading of larger vessels now regularly visiting Bell Bay and provide benefits such as enhanced safety features, energy efficiencies, and cyber security advancements,” Minister Vincent said. The forestry sector is critical to Tasmania, supporting 3,000 jobs and contributing $1.2 billion annually to the economy. The upgrades will provide greater reliability and position Bell Bay for future growth as global demand for Tasmanian forest products continues to rise.