Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) has been appointed by Adani Mining to provide engineering services for the development of the Abbot Point port expansion in Queensland. Abbot Point is Australia’s northern-most deepwater coal port and represents a key infrastructure component in the future development of coal mining in Queensland’s Galilee Basin. The expansion project includes a second 2.75 km approach jetty with associated approaches, roadways and conveyors creating two new berths. When complete in 2015, the new infrastructure will more than double the port’s existing capacity. The project will be delivered through a partnership model that will see engineers and technical staff from both Adani and SKM in India and Australia work collaboratively, demonstrating global delivery capacity.

SKM General Manager, Buildings and Infrastructure, Dr Michael Shirley said the innovative delivery approach for Abbot Point will assist in driving investment in Australia’s resources. Developing resources infrastructure is becoming increasingly challenging for our clients. With operations across Asia Pacific, SKM is able to leverage our global presence to create collaborative partnerships such as this to effectively and efficiently realise critical new infrastructure,” he said.

The Abbot Port expansion is a key step in Adani’s plans to invest up to $10 billion over the next decade in the proposed Carmichael coal mine in Queensland. As part of the Queensland Government’s trade delegation to India this week, Adani hosted the Premier and key state business leaders including SKM at its Mundra Port, India’s largest private port. Adani Australia CEO Harsh Mishra says “We consider our investment in Queensland a vital part of Adani’s integrated value chain. By working with reputable businesses such as SKM, we can ensure we enter the Queensland market with local knowledge and confidence”.

Premier Campbell Newman welcomed the new partnership between Adani and SKM to provide engineering services for the development of the Abbot Point Port Expansion. “Innovative business solutions are required to ensure investment is successful and we believe India and Australia’s strong and growing economies offer unprecedented mutual benefits”, he said.