SENATE CANDIDATE WARNS OF FUTURE COAL SHIP MISHAPS
Monday 5 April 2010, Media Release by Tony Zegenhagen
Queensland’s DLP Senate Team Leader Tony Zegenhagen says that the grounding of the Chinese coal carrier Chen Neng 1 east of Great Keppel Island should be seen as a warning of more serious future emergencies.
“The risks associated with the grounding of the Shen Neng 1 (which I assume loaded its cargo in the Port of Gladstone) go far beyond the threat of a modest oil spill,” said Tony Zegenhagen, who served in the Royal Australian Navy. We must consider the danger to crew and rescuers, and there is the big issue of the impact on insurance premiums which would be caused by the loss of a large ship and 65,000 tonnes of coal. Avoidable costs of this nature in a highly competitive international market can threaten the jobs of Queensland miners. An Inquiry into this accident could recommend the extension of the compulsory pilotage scheme.”
Tony Zegenhagen warns that the really serious danger of coal ship accidents lies not in the vicinity of Great Keppell Island, but further north, in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
“Ships loading at Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay have to thread their way north-eastward through Hydrographer’s Passage to reach the open sea. Even with expert pilotage this will always be a hazardous journey. On balance of probabilities we can expect a combination of cyclonic weather and mechanical failure will sometime cause groundings and even sinkings.”
Mr Zegenhagen continued: “The long, wholly exposed structures at Dalrymple Bay and Hay Point are chronically at risk from cyclones. In any season we could see one or both of these facilities put out of action for weeks or even months, at a giant cost to Queensland jobs.”
Tony Zegenhagen advocates the opening of a new coal port within Port Clinton, currently off-limits to industrial development because of its location within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area. “With some dredging, Port Clinton can easily be brought into use as the sole cyclone-proof coal port in Queensland, capable of absorbing the whole of the inevitable and desirable increase in coal throughput. “
“A great benefit of Port Clinton is that loaded ships can sail East in deep water, South of the Barrier Reef, and north of the hazards of the Great Keppell Island Marine Park. Direct shore loading will slash turnaround times. Giant ships should be moving, not waiting.”
“I shall bring a Private Members Bill into the Senate calling for the Defence Department to release a portion of the south-eastern shore of Port Clinton for a coal export facility. It would be great for the Defence Forces to train in defending infrastructure of this nature. A working port within Port Douglas would also be a valuable asset for the RAN and the navies of our allies.”
