Client results
Vessel Operators Onslow Iron Ore Project
McCullough Robertson has successfully assisted several vessel operators in establishing marine operations, which include support vessels, tugboats, and barges, for the Onslow Iron Ore Project – one of the largest iron ore projects currently under development in Australia.
Located in the West Pilbara region, the Onslow Iron Project is set to unlock billions of tonnes of stranded iron ore deposits. The project boasts the industry’s shortest pit-to-port distance, with iron ore being transported a mere 150 kilometres from the mine site to the port. Jumbo autonomous road trains will transfer loads to the Port of Ashburton, where the iron ore will be loaded onto fully enclosed transhippers. These transhippers will then ferry the product to Capesize vessels anchored 40 kilometres off the coast.
The transaction was intricate, involving innovative vessel operations, particularly the shore-to-ship loading procedures. We acted for the vessel operators in the negotiation of their ship and barge service agreements, designing the insurance programs for these operations, placing the insurance programs via Allegiant IRS and establishing the various corporate entities that undertake these operations.