History
From humble beginnings in 1983…
…Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal (DBCT) has become one of the world’s largest coal export facilities in the world, and the largest export facility of metallurgical coal. Approximately 15% of the world’s steel making coal transits through DBCT and is exported to more than 20 countries from across the world each year, including into Asia, Europe and South America.
The terminal is operated by Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal Pty Ltd (DBCT P/L) with Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure holding the lease on the terminal.
In addition to the global importance, there is a regional importance to DBCT as it is one of the largest sources of employment in Mackay with approximately 480 DBCT P/L employees and sometimes that many contractors as well onsite. Much of DBCT P/L’s success during the past 40 years has been because of the people that have worked at all levels of the organisation.
To still have employees with DBCT P/L, who began work with the company the very year operations commenced (1983), speaks volumes. DBCT P/L is also recognised as one of the leading corporate citizens in the region, supporting around 100 organisations and events through sponsorships and donations each year.
Then
Construction commenced in 1981 and was completed in 1983 with 14.55Mtpa capacity
More than 850 construction workers built the Terminal.
First train unloaded - October 1983.
First ship (‘Horyu Maru’) loaded - November 1983.
Now
Multi-user coal export facility, with a 85Mtpa capacity
Full cargo assembly mode of operation
Total exports comprise 75% Metallurgical coal and 25% Thermal
Tonnage Milestone 1.5 Billion Tonnes 20/09/21
Shipment Milestone 17,500th vessel loaded 13/09/22
| Expansion Stages | Nominal Throughput Capacity (Mtpa) | Completion Month & Year |
|---|---|---|
| Inception | 14.55 | November 1983 |
| Stage 1 | 22.55 | June 1990 |
| Stage 2 | 26.55 | December 1995 |
| Stage 2A | 28.55 | December 1997 |
| Stage 3 | 33.55 | March 1999 |
| Stage 4 | 37.55 | October 1999 |
| Stage 5 | 45.50 | February 2002 |
| Stage 6 | 55.50 | June 2003 |
| Stage 7 Phase 1 | 68.00 | March 2008 |
| Stage 7 Phase 2 | 72.00 | December 2008 |
| Stage 7 Phase 3 | 85.00 | June 2009 |
Inception
Original investigations into the establishment of a second coal terminal at the Port of Hay Point commenced in the 1970s, however, it wasn’t until 1979 that the Queensland Government appointed consulting engineers to design a coal handling facility, with the aim for it to be operational by 1983. Land purchases had commenced, and the Port of Hay Point and DBCT was designed in such a way that further expansions could be undertaken later in the future.
Two major milestones occurred in 1981: construction of DBCT commenced and DBCT P/L, the company, was formed with Captain Denis Holden appointed as Chief Executive Officer and General Manager (CEO/GM).
More than 850 workers were involved in the construction of DBCT.
The construction of the 3,850 metre (3.8km) long jetty started at the shore and the wharf end simultaneously. The steel tube piles supporting the jetty were driven down sometimes to 30 metres until embedded in rock. Construction of DBCT was completed by 1983 at a cost of approximately $250 Million.
The first unloaded coal train occurred on 3 October 1983, and the first ship loaded occurred on 7 November 1983 at DBCT. The initial designed throughput capacity for DBCT was 12.55 Million tonnes per annum (Mtpa), and this was later increased to 14.55Mtpa prior to completion in late 1983. DBCT now has a name plate capacity of 85 Million tonnes per annum.