BHP are going to be dragged kicking & screaming on third party...

BHP are going to be dragged kicking & screaming on third party access. Check out the specious logic below.

http://news.theage.com.au/business/fortescue-ship-refloated-in-port-hedland-20080801-3oco.html

BHP Billiton Ltd says the grounding of a ship at the Port Hedland harbour illustrates why third parties should not be given access to its rail network in the Pilbara.

Ship movements in or out of the Port Hedland harbour in Western Australia, BHP Billiton's key iron ore port, were blocked for more than 12 hours after a vessel servicing Fortescue Metals Group Ltd ran aground on Thursday night.

The vessel was refloated on high tide and was being escorted out of the channel, Fortescue said.

"This certainly makes you think, what would happen if a third party's train broke down on our rail line and stopped us being able to rail product to port to send to our customers," BHP Billiton spokesperson Sam Evans told AAP.

A host of companies led by Fortescue Metals are seeking access to the railways of Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton Ltd in the Pilbara to export iron ore amid rising prices for the commodity.

Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton have staunchly defended the proposal, saying the Pilbara would mirror the congested coal rail and ports on the east coast if third parties are allowed access.

BHP Billiton has two separate port operations located on opposite sides of the harbour that are capable of handling four ships at a time, each carrying up to 300,000 tonnes of ore.

The company tends to sail about two ships per day from its port operations and is currently loading three vessels.

Fortescue said the ship, which was loaded with 155,000 tonnes of iron ore, sailed under the control of the Port Hedland Port Authority with a pilot on board, but had run aground as it departed the harbour.

Port Hedland Port Authority said the MV Iron King, owned by SK Shipping PLc Europe, experienced steering failure, which resulted in the ship swinging starboard on exiting the port and running aground.