Saldanha sets new iron ore export record

TERRY HUTSON THE BULK Terminal Saldanha has achieved its highest ever iron ore export tonnage and set a new annual record for iron ore offloading from tipplers to stacking area. According to SA Port Operations this has been achieved by steadily increasing efficiencies. For the financial year 2003/04 the terminal offloaded 27.01 million tons of iron ore, beating the previous high of 25.8 million tons, which was achieved in 2001/02. During the same period the terminal exported 25.9 million tons of iron ore compared with the previous record of 25.3 million tons set in 2002/03. Increased iron ore volumes for export as well as higher ore transfers and pellet volumes meant that the terminal handled a total of 28,5 million tons of ore for the year, ahead of the previous year’s total figure of 27.07 million tons.