T-Ports, an independent cargo handler, has become a significant player in South Australia’s grain export sector since opening its doors during the 2019 harvest. Through its transhipment vessel Lucky Eyre, T-Ports has successfully exported up to 1 million tonnes of grain per year through Lucky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula and Wallaroo on the Yorke Peninsula, both of which commenced operations in 2022. With a constant rhythm of receiving and distributing grain, T-Ports is now exploring ways to further diversify and increase throughput.
Strategic expansion plans
Nathan Kent, CEO of T-Ports, expressed the company’s readiness to take the next step. This includes leveraging the South Australian Government’s State Prosperity Project (SPP), which focuses on renewable energy development in the Upper Spencer Gulf region, including Lucky Bay and Wallaroo. The SPP provides T-Ports with the opportunity to expand its role beyond grain handling, potentially supporting the construction phase and export production of various projects.
The role of the state prosperity project
The NGN is designed to capitalize on existing developments and could pave the way for increased port capacity. For example, ASX-listed Iron Road plans to build a deep-sea port at Cape Hardy, which is part of a wider area that includes the Amp Australia renewable energy hub. This development is critical because current capabilities to meet regional maritime needs are extremely limited.
Kent emphasizes that until Cape Hardy comes online, T-Ports’ Lucky Bay is strategically located to assist with various projects. These could include transporting turbine blades for wind farms or handling mineral exports that currently pass through Port Adelaide. An underutilized portion of Lucky Bay would be an ideal location for prefabricated structures or mineral export facilities.
Core business continuity and innovation
Despite these expansion ambitions, T-Ports remains committed to its core business of serving grain producers. The company is making significant investments to expand its grain handling capabilities. This includes adding new stackers and deepening the port channel at Lucky Bay. For the first time, T-Ports will also tranship lentils on the Eyre Peninsula following the successful loading of a 30,000 tonne cargo of lentils from Wallaroo in December 2023.
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