Northern Stevedoring Services

Sandfire Resources NL (ASX: SFR; “Sandfire”) is pleased to announce the award of the haulage and port services contract for its DeGrussa Copper-Gold Project, located 900km north of Perth in Western Australia, to POAGS Bulk Logistics Pty Ltd (POAGS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qube Logistics Holdings Ltd (ASX: QUB) (Qube).

Qube is a diversified infrastructure and logistics company with operating divisions covering Automotive, Bulk and General Stevedoring, Landside Logistics and Strategic Development Assets that employs over 3,700 people nationally.

The contract, which has a total estimated value of more than $120 million over a five-year term, encompasses provision of a fully integrated haulage and port services solution for both the Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) and copper concentrate to be produced by the DeGrussa Project. Qube’s recent acquisition of Giacci was influential in Sandfire’s decision to award the contract to Qube as an integrated provider, rather than award separate haulage and stevedoring contracts.

The DSO and concentrate will be trucked to port in purpose built half-height sea containers, which will enable ship-loading using POAGS’ Rotabox container rotating frame system. 

NSS provide the innovative Rotabox container system across Regional Queensland due to the available synergies under Qube’s 50% ownership of the firm.  

The skyline at the Port of Gladstone will be noticeably different as of today, Wednesday 15 February 2012 with NSS celebrating the delivery of the Liebherr Mobile Harbour Crane (LHM 550 Litronic), the latest addition to our fleet of advanced port equipment.

The acquisition of this new lifting technology was sparked by a significant increase in demand for our stevedoring, transport and logistics services in the region.

As the largest cargo handler in regional Queensland, this proactive move demonstrates NSS’ commitment to the Gladstone area and ensures that we lead as a provider of premium services to our clients.

A strong focus on investing in the latest equipment and technology to deliver the optimum cargo handling solutions to clients is an initiative at the forefront of NSS General Manager, Todd Emmert’s mind: “This is a significant development for NSS…with this, the delivery of a key contributor to further improvements in our stevedoring service provision, we are in a strong position to move forward with our strategic investment and technological development plans for 2012.”

The LHM 550 Litronic is set to change stevedoring in Queensland with its ability to carry loads up to 150 tonnes. Thus, making NSS the ultimate choice for handling heavy-lift and oversized project cargoes required for large scale LNG, mining and construction projects.

This crane, the largest, newest and fastest of its kind in Australia, opens doors forNSSas it is specifically designed for heavy lifting (up to 150 tonnes at22 meters). Also, due to its twin-lift container spreader and large 18 cbm grab it will significantly improve overall general stevedoring productivity in Gladstone.

The LHM 550 Litronicwill couple with NSS' 3.3ha QAP1.1 port terminal, our professional, experienced workforce and our streamlined local road transport capabilities to provide integrated stevedoring, storage, transport and logistics services for Gladstone.

A momentous development for the Port of Gladstone this acquisition marks an exhilarating start to 2012 for NSS, as we aim to continuously develop the efficiency and effectiveness of our services in the region. With current port expansion underway at Gladstone, NSS is set to spearhead further growth.

This addition of the LHM 550 Litronic to the Port combined with recent developments at NSS firmly demonstrate our dedication to supporting growth, bolstering employment and actively contributing to the local Queensland economy. With these key development factors in mind there is little doubt that NSS have the support of regional Queenslanders.

POAGS currently loads general cargo ships with bulk heavy metal scrap (HMS) and shredded scrap metal for Sims Metal and OneSteel. The monitoring of safe daily work practices resulted in the identification of a number of significant hazards to employees in the loading of scrap metal.

As a result, POAGS have successfully collaborated with Sims Metal and OneSteel to synergise their expertise, developing the ‘Quick Release Automatic Spreader’ as a solution for their industry. This system is designed to ensure safer daily operations for all employees. Please view the movie below to see this revolutionary system in operation.

Northern Stevedoring Services (NSS), regional Queensland’s largest stevedoring company, was last night awarded “Highly Commended” for the Safe Transport Award at the Lloyds List Awards Ceremony in Sydney.

Regional Queensland’s supply chain management company, Northern Stevedoring Services (NSS) has today announced its acquisition of Wiltrade’s Townsville depot.

Expect to see some new machines involved in the action on the water at the Port of Gladstone this week, with the recent arrival of two new lines boats. Northern Stevedoring Services (NSS) have secured the new vessels and will begin services on Thursday, to add to their considerable arsenal of operations already at the port.