The Esperance Port has shortlisted two consortia after taking requests for proposals to design, finance, build and operate a new multi-user iron ore facility at the port. The two consortia that have been asked to provide proposals for the development are the following:

• Qube Bulk in partnership with Brookfield Infrastructure, and
• The Yilgarn Esperance Solution consortium, comprising McConnell Dowell Constructors, Asciano and Marubeni Corporation, 

Port chairman Bob McKinnon said an evaluation panel under the independent chairmanship of Dr Ken Michael had unanimously agreed that the two selected consortia had best addressed the project objectives in their proposals.

"The short-listed consortia have significant experience in infrastructure investment as well as designing, financing and operating major projects related to the movement and handling of large volumes of bulk products," Mr McKinnon said.

The new port facility should cater for up to 12 million tonnes of iron ore annually if developed. The port will handle product from aspiring iron ore miners in the Yilgarn region east of Perth.

The two consortia were shortlisted from a list of five applicants.