Chips are down as Burnie loader damaged

OPERATIONS are yet to resume at Burnie’s export woodchip terminal after the shiploader struck a vessel alongside on Thursday evening [14 May].

TasPorts said no injuries occurred and the vessel, Nova Shipping & Logistics’ 69,742 DWT, Singapore-flag woodchip carrier Canada Express, suffered only minor superficial damage. TasPorts secured the site immediately, ceased operations and isolated the shiploader.

However, a daylight inspection on Friday confirmed damage to the shiploader. An engineering assessment is underway to determine the extent of the damage and the next steps. The cause is under investigation.

Interim CEO Allan Gray said the safety of TasPorts' people, port infrastructure and the vessels in its care were the immediate priority overnight Thursday and remained so.

"Our team responded quickly to make the site safe, and this is reflected in the fact that no one was hurt and the vessel was not damaged," Mr Gray said.

Canada Express' fleetmate Tarakan Express is due to berth at Burnie in early June.
Image: Dale Crisp

"We are working closely with our customer and shipping partners to understand the impact and to support the rearrangement of shipping movements where we can.

"It is too early to say how long the shiploader will be out of service. We will provide further updates as the engineering assessment progresses."

According to TasPorts’ shipping schedule, Canada Express departed Burnie at 1700 on Friday night ostensibly for return to Yangpu, but sailed along the coast to the Bell Bay anchorage. It is expected to berth at Bell Bay No.6 tomorrow evening [19 May] to resume loading, departing Saturday with destination port now listed as Rizhao.

The next woodchip carrier due in the port is fleetmate Tarakan Express, on 1 June.