BHP BILLITON says third parties should not get access to its rail network in the Pilbara, citing the grounding of a Fortescue ship at its Port Hedland harbour.
BHP Billiton’s key iron ore port at Port Hedland was blocked for around 12 hours on 31 July and 1 August 2008, after a Fortescue Metals vessel ran aground.
According to Fortescue, it managed to refloat the ship on 1 August during high tide, and escorted it out of the channel.
BHP Billiton said such a situation could extend to its rail line, if a third party’s train broke down and stopped it from being able to transport its materials to the port for dispatch to customers.
Fortescue is currently leading a group of companies seeking access to the Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton Pilbara railways for iron ore export.
Both Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton are opposed to this move, fearing allowing access would clog up their coal railways and ports.
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