Western Australia’s north-west once again has direct shipping links with Fremantle and Darwin, following the introduction this week of the multi-purpose vessel Spirit of the Kimberley.

 

Jebsens Coastal Shipping Services, which won a new state government-subsidised contract after Seacorp ended the previous arrangement late last year, has time-chartered and renamed Perkins Shipping’s 294 TEU Halifax Bay as it rebuilds the ‘vital’ sea link.

 

The ship is seen as an interim measure while Jebsens assesses the strength of demand and likely cargo mix, with the company saying larger tonnage will be sourced “sooner rather than later”.

 

Spirit of the Kimberley sailed from Fremantle last Friday evening (19 March), fully laden with containers and break bulk, and arrived in Broome on Tuesday (23 March) and Wyndham yesterday, before sailing on to Darwin (Saturday) and then returning to Fremantle.

 

Jebsens Australia general manager Grant Williams said early support for the new service was very strong and showed a pent-up demand for sea transport to and from the Kimberley region.

 

“We’ve canvassed a wide range of shippers who’ve told us they’re only too happy to use coastal shipping as long as we can provide a regular, dependable schedule, and we see that as our priority,” Mr Williams said. “For the time being we are not calling in the Pilbara, at Dampier or Port Hedland, until we can bed the service down and evaluate freight flows. But already it looks like a larger ship will be required if we are to accommodate the market.

 

“Customers want an affordable alternative to road transport, plus the capability of handling outsize and awkward freight. We’re making immediate use of Spirit of the Kimberley’s 30- and 40-tonne cranes to ship a couple of crushers and a pleasure boat on the first trip and we expect more of the same. There’s cargo in Fremantle that’s been waiting months to get to the Kimberley and we’re pleased to be able to carry it,” he said.

 

Mr Williams said that while the service received a substantial subsidy from the WA Government, Jebsens was operating under ‘open book’ arrangements with the government and hoped, over time, to be in a position to reduce that assistance and make the service commercially standalone.

 

The company wanted to contribute to Western Australia in a business development role beyond that of just a door-to-door transport provider, he said.

 

At the time of announcing the contract, WA transport minister Simon O’Brien said that a government-assisted shipping service to the North-West could deliver significant savings in the cost of living and the cost of doing business for communities, industry and government.

 

Jebsens had presented an exciting and innovative proposal, which involved integration with other new international and coastal operations.

 

“The continuation of the assisted North-West shipping service is timely, given the exciting development taking place in the region,” he said.

 

The vessel is geared with a maximum 70 tonne lifting capacity however shore cranes can be used (at additional cost) for larger pieces.

 

OTPatrick is stevedoring the service in Fremantle at North Quay berths 1 and 2 and at Darwin’s East Arm.

 

Freightplus can arrange shipping from any part of the world into or out of these north west Australian ports, transshipping via Fremantle on main route contract carriers.  Call your preferred Freightplus contact for a quotation or any further information you might require.