Partners win port expansion contract

Mecrus and joint venture partner, FAM recently won a contract to design, construct and commission four stacker reclaimers at Abbot Point in Queensland.

The $140 million expansion program being undertaken by the Ports Corporation of Queensland will increase throughput at the terminal which exports coking coal to overseas markets. In addition to the stacker reclaimers, there will be a new berth and ship loading facility and a bund for coal storage.

A key feature of the project, which commenced in July 2008, is that most of structural manufacturing work will be done in Australia.

“FAM will design the equipment in Europe and build specialised components there,” said Mecrus Managing Director, Barry Richards. “The rest will be built here by a number of Australian firms that we have contracted.”

With more than 70% of the project to be undertaken in Australia, Mecrus has a team of four dedicated to project management including fabrication, erection, sourcing and design of electrics.

The Abbott Point project is the first major contract awarded to the Mecrus – FAM joint venture in Australia.

It is anticipated the stacker reclaimers at the port will be commissioned late in 2010.

www.mecrus.com.au