News from the Port of Dampier community in North Western Australia.
~The Seafarers Presentation 2012 ~
We had been busy collecting for the Seafarer’s Shoeboxes all term, along with our little Pre Primary buddies and the rest of the school. Two days before we were due to make our delivery, we needed to distribute all the goodies, making sure there was something for the seafarers themselves, plus their wives and children. Mrs Hawke co-ordinated the wrapping with many willing helpers. There were ‘ordinary’ Mums, grandmothers, teacher mothers and even ex students.
Alright, I admit it: I have been led astray, like a little lost sheep, like a veritable lamb to the slaughter. I just can’t seem to keep off the streets at night. Who is to blame?
You may have seen a white bus emblazoned with blue flying angel decals cruising around town in the evenings. You may have wondered about the bus. The bus belongs to the Dampier Seafarers Centre, which administers physical and spiritual welfare to the thousands of international seafarers visiting our ports every year.
ABC reports that Dampier Port Authority says plans to expand the port still need funding approval from the Western Australian Government before they can go ahead.
The Dampier Marine Services Facility Project would increase the capacity in the general cargo area.
Rio Tinto has announced a US$230 million ($242.6 million) investment to expand the Dampier Port to boost its export capacity by five million tonnes a year.
The upgrade will take the mining giant’s total Pilbara capacity to 230mtpa by the first quarter of 2012. Rio said the investment was in addition to the US$91 million ($95.9 million) approved in early 2010 for a first 5mtpa expansion to 225mtpa capacity.