BHP Billiton will spend more than US$300 million to replace two shiploaders at its Nelson Point port operations in Port Hedland, Western Australia.

The company said investing in the shiploaders will increase the reliability of its inner harbor port facilities and will increase its loading capacity by 5 kt/h (5,500 stph).

Each shiploader has a loading capacity of 12.5 kt/h (13,800 stph).

The existing shiploaders are more than 40 years old and currently load iron ore at a rate of approximately 10 kt/h (11,000 stph).

“This investment will also create additional port capacity that can be utilised as a series of debottlenecking initiatives increase the capacity of our Western Australia Iron Ore supply chain towards 270 Mt/a (297 million stpy) (100% basis), at a low capital cost,” BHP said.

Commissioning of the two replacement shiploaders is scheduled for the second half of next year.

“This is an important investment that is consistent with our commitment to maximize the capacity of the Western Australia Iron Ore inner harbor and deliver substantial value to shareholders and other stakeholders,” BHP Billiton Iron Ore President, Jimmy Wilson said.