The project, for which Barclay Mowlem and Dutch dredging specialist Boskalis had major contracts, was developed to support the rapid expansion of the downstream gas processing industry on the peninsula.

WA planning and infrastructure minister Alannah MacTiernan said the berth’s construction was the most significant development undertaken by the Dampier Port Authority in its 16-year history and would provide substantial export capacity for future gas-to-liquid developments.

“The bulk liquids berth project, including associated roadworks, is the single largest component of the State Government's $A184.8 million Burrup infrastructure package and is necessary for the development of a gas-to-liquids industry," MacTiernan said.

The berth is about 500m long and sits 14m above the waterline. It is capable of berthing vessels weighing up to 50,000 dead weight tonnes with maximum drafts of 12m.

There is provision for a solids export facility to be added when required and the facility has also been engineered to cater for 65,000 tonne vessels upon completion of further dredging works.

In addition to the berth and dredging of a turning basin and channel, a new access road was constructed and the service corridor extended through to the berth.

Dredging of the channel and turning basin required the removal of 4.6 million cubic metres of soil at a cost of about $A20 million.

The first project to take advantage of the new facility will be one involving Burrup Fertilisers, which is currently being commissioned.

North-West Coastal MLA Fred Riebeling said the opening of the facility was good news for the region.

"The construction of this new purpose-built export facility will prove a major attraction to other potential proponents looking to join the emerging gas-to-liquids industry and provide a springboard to further industrial investments on the Burrup Peninsula," Riebeling said.