Pilbara Ports started direct shipping services last November to connect ports at Port Hedland and Dampier with ports across Asia.
There are now four shipping services
Pilbara Ports Authority landside operations manager Jon Giles said bypassing the Port of Fremantle or the overland route from the east coast translated into lower costs for Pilbara businesses and consumers.
Giles said the direct shipping services eliminated the need for cargo to pass through other port facilities.
"Pilbara businesses have traditionally relied on goods being trucked from the Port of Fremantle or overland from the eastern states, which attracted a significant cost in terms of logistics and time," he said.
"Direct shipping also benefits the state and the nation by generating more inbound and outbound freight opportunities."
Giles said PP invested in biosecurity infrastructure, including inspection, treatment and wash bay facilities to attract and facilitate more ships.
Port Hedland has welcomed four shipping services since November, with the Swire Shipping-managed vessel Souni, the latest to sail into port.
The Souni was laden with 30 containers of materials and equipment for local mining and construction projects.
The first direct shipping service to the Port of Dampier was a Bengal Tiger Lines vessel, MCP Graz, in February, with a Sea Swift service also importing and exporting general cargo.
Swire Shipping will operate on two separate schedules.
The first will service Singapore, Darwin and Port Hedland on a dedicated vessel, while the second will deliver containers into Dampier from Singapore on a separate slot charter arrangement.
Swire Shipping commercial manager of mining and resources Stephen Westfield said the direct service would improve shipping in the North West from a cost, sustainability, safety and community involvement perspective.
"These new direct connections enable customers to better plan their inventory, manage their supply chains and reach their carbon-neutral goals up to 2040," he said.
"It is estimated that each container shipped direct into the Pilbara versus via Fremantle will save roughly two tonnes of carbon."
