Abbot Point Operations (APO) is celebrating four decades of safe and responsible operations at the North Queensland Export Terminal, Australia’s most northern deepwater export port.

It was this week in 1984 when the Fukukawa Maru arrived at the Terminal, located north of Bowen in Queensland, to load 60,000 tonnes of coking coal from the Collinsville mine, destined for Hong Kong.

On February 27, the BBG Liuzhou was the 6,902nd ship to safely berth at the Terminal and load high-quality coal from Bowen or Galilee basin mines for export to the world.

Abbot Point Operations General Manager Port Operations Allan Brown said the milestone was a credit to the hundreds of local workers who had maintained the Terminal for more than a generation.

To celebrate, the 400-strong APO team held a special morning tea, complete with themed cake, and gave out APO gift packs to train drivers and mariners visiting the Terminal.

“Our people are our business, and they are the foundation of 40 years of dedicated best practice in operating and maintaining this critical piece of national infrastructure,” Allan said.

“From the production crew to the pilots, the tradespeople to the train drivers, and the engineers to the enviros, each member of our dedicated team has played a vital role in shaping the success story of the North Queensland Export Terminal.

“We’re proud of our role in helping transport high-quality Queensland metallurgical and thermal coal to the world where it advances development and provides affordable and reliable energy that lifts people out of poverty.

“And as Bowen locals we are equally proud of our efforts to ‘Grow Local’ and provide jobs, training, and corporate giving that contribute to the economic and social fabric of our community.

“It’s been wonderful to come together as a team to celebrate this milestone, reflect on the journey so far, as well as chart a course for the next 40 years.”