History

The Terminal’s story

The Terminal has been exporting metallurgical and thermal coal from central Queensland mines to global markets since 1984.

Mining company MIM Holdings Limited and the Harbours Corporation of Queensland began construction of the Terminal in 1981. The first ship docked for loading three years later in February 1984 and set sail for Hong Kong with 60,000 tonnes of metallurgical coal just days before the official opening in March 1984. The Adani Group, owner of NQXT Pty Ltd, purchased a 99-year lease of the Terminal from the Queensland Government in 2011.

Decades after the first ship set sail, the Terminal continues to consolidate its role as a pre-eminent service provider for the export of Queensland commodities.

The Queensland resources sector is recognised for world leading standards of quality, skills and expertise. The Terminal is an important part of the industry network, delivering excellence in the state’s resources sector.

Our History
1981 Port development begins
1984 The first ship (Fukukawa Maru) sails from 15Mtpa nameplate capacity Port of Abbot Point
1998 Abbot Point recognised for “Excellence in Export Support”
2006 2,000th ship sailed
2007 Expansion and upgrade works completed to take export capacity to 21Mtpa
2008 Increased export capacity to 25Mtpa
2009 MV Primera is loaded with the 200 millionth tonne of coal to be handled through the Port of Abbot Point
2010 Shiploader 2 positioned on the wharf
2011 NQXT acquired a 99-year leasehold of the terminal from NQBP
2012 Expanded to 50Mtpa capacity and Goonyella-Abbot Point railway system completed
2012 3,000th ship sailed
2014 MV Hebei Challenger is loaded with the 300 millionth tonne of coal to be handled through the Port of Abbot Point
2015 4,000th ship sailed
2016 Abbot Point Operations acquired the terminal O&M operation
2018 MV Cape Mars is loaded with the 400 millionth tonne of coal to be handled through the Port of Abbot Point 5,000th ship sailed
2018 5,000th ship sailed
2020 New tonnage record for a single financial year of 31.96 million tonnes set
2021 NQXT continued to operate through the global Covid-19 pandemic and delivered 29 million tonnes throughput in FY21
2021 500 millionth tonne (out-loading)
2021 6,000th ship sailed
2023 New tonnage record for a single financial year of 32.7 million tonnes
2023 Terminal sustainability committee established
2024 Celebrated 40 years
2024 New tonnage record for a single financial year of 34.71 million tonnes
2025 New tonnage record for a single ?nancial year of 34.97 million tonnes

We are proud of the role the Terminal has played in Bowen over its lifetime, and of the role we continue to play to facilitate the economic activity that creates jobs, royalty returns and economic benefits for all Queenslanders.

We look forward to the next chapters in the Terminal’s story. Download a factsheet on the Terminal’s history.