North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) has given the rights to investigate the feasibility of a new port at Dudgeon Point.

The potential port, which will be located near the existing Hay Point coal terminal, will have its viability assessed by the Indian Adani Group and Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal Management.

Studies have already been carried out on the possible dust levels from the two existing terminals as well as the project port at Dudgeon Point.

“(The study) has clearly looked at the cumulative effects of the existing and proposed expanded coal terminals as well as Dudgeon Point and has been concluded that all the World Health Organisation-type standards can be well and truly met with that level of development in that area,” NQBP spokesman Jeff Stewart-Harris told the ABC.

NQBP believes there is a market for another export terminal in the region.

"We have had strong indications from all the coal mining interests and people that are involved in those logistics chains to say that in the medium to longer term will be needed," he added.

The last year has seen record bottlenecks at coal export terminals across the eastern seaboard.

In April, ships queuing for the ports reached an all time high of 223, with 103 ships waiting at the Hay Point and Dalyrmple Bay export terminals, near where the projected port will be constructed.

Source: Australian Mining