North American fertilizer producer Nutrien has started work on a new A$70mn ($46mn) fertiliser distribution centre and storage facility at Kwinana port in Western Australia (WA) after a fire damaged some port infrastructure at the Kwinana bulk jetty on 9 February.
The fire damaged Nutrien's bulk fertilizer site holding granular products, an import system conveyor, associated transfer towers and a shed leased for the storage of fertilizer while the company's liquid bulk fertilizer storage and chemical manufacturing facilities were unscathed.
Nutrien expects the new distribution centre to be operational in 2026. The new site will be located at East Rockingham, 2km away from the previous facility at the Kwinana bulk jetty, and will increase the company's bulk granular fertilizer storage capacity by 20pc to 130,000t. The new facility will feature three undercover outloads, more slots for storage, twin blending lines, pits and wheel washers on site for trucks. It will also have dedicated loading equipment with improved loading systems that will allow for improved loading speeds and operating conditions.
The new distribution centre will complement Nutrien's other WA facilities ,which include a liquid fertilizer manufacturing plant, research facilities and more than 70 stores throughout metropolitan and regional WA.
Since the fire, the Fremantle Ports Authority has supported Nutrien to continue operating at the Kwinana bulk jetty to meet the needs of its customers. The bulk jetty is owned and operated by Fremantle Ports, handling bulk commodities such as fertilizers, sulphur, cement clinker and petroleum products.
"Nutrien will continue to supply farmers with fertilizer from its existing Kwinana site throughout the 2025 season prior to the new East Rockingham facility becoming operational," managing director Kelly Freeman said in a press statement.
By Tom Woodlock
