APN Vol1 No1

For the big picture go to page 14.

To be shipshape, maritime changes must first pass PC test

Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Warren Truss MP

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HIPPING carries over 99% of Australia’s international cargo by weight and about 75% by value. Domestically, it represents one-quarter of our national freight task. Far-reaching changes to shipping regulations should have undergone a full Productivity Commission impact assessment before becoming law.

“The Gillard government has not listened to concerns about this legislation and is asking us to take it on blind faith that they and their mates at the Maritime Union of Australia are acting in the national interest,” Nationals leader and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Warren Truss explained.

“With Australia’s freight task to double by 2030, and treble along the eastern seaboard, coastal shipping is, and will increasingly be, vital to Australia’s domestic and international transport network.

“Minister Albanese has not been able to put a figure

on how much more it will cost to ship freight around our coastline under his new regime. Surely, that’s a basic equation we need to know before going on.

“According to Deloitte Access Economics these changes will inflict a $466 million burden on our economy over the next decade, with freight charges to soar by up to 16% and 570 full-time Australian jobs tossed overboard.

“Such a surge in shipping charges will undoubtedly result in a flood of imports as Australian companies find it more economical to import rather than ship product around our coastline.

“Australian businesses relying on a globally-competitive shipping sector are under siege.

“Right now it costs as much to ship products from China to Australia as it does to ship the same products from Adelaide to Port Kembla. Under these new shipping regulations Australian production will fall and will be substituted with cheaper imports.

“Australia’s sugar producers are among the most efficient on Earth, but imported sugar is already coming in from overseas because it is cheaper than shipping it from northern Australia.

“Australian cement producers are world-leaders in low emission technology, but our biggest competitors in cement – China, Indonesia, Taiwan and Thailand – will now be able to radically undercut Australian suppliers on shipping costs alone.

“A shift to cement imports will undermine 1,800 Australian jobs in the cement industry but, paradoxically, force global CO2 emissions to skyrocket as demand switches overseas.

“Clearly, the ripple effects from these changes are farreaching, engulfing a sea of Australian industries and the Australian jobs they support. As such, due diligence insists that they should have been shipped off to the Productivity Commission for full economic analysis.”

Your First Dedicated Australasian Ports Publication Has Docked

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ELCOME to your first edition of Australian Ports News.

This is a free bi monthly publication that will be circulated to all key personnel within all Port Authorities throughout Australia and New Zealand each issue.

Our free circulation will also extend and be directed to the managers of all associated industries located in all Australian and New Zealand Port Precincts.

As current publishers of Australian Power & Energy News for the last 16 years, also the Australian Main Roads Construction News for the last 4 years, our company has a long and successful association with a number of industry sectors and we now look forward to highlighting all Australian and New Zealand Port activities reporting on port infrastructure projects, the introduction of new technology to ports, and associated other news matters related to those involved in managing, supplying and servicing our ports.

Our editorial charter will always strive to represent the best interests

Publisher:

ACN 149 194 909 We are also publishers of Australian Power & Energy News, Australia’s leading Power Industry newspaper

Above: Tom Cook, Publisher, Australian Ports News

of the Australian and New Zealand Port Industries and we would ask for your continuing support in supplying editorial briefs highlighting all individual port activity.

We trust you enjoy reading our inaugural edition of Australian Ports News and I look forward to your continued support.

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AM WIGNALL (right) has been appointed as the Finance and Administration Manager at the Albany Port Authority. Pam was previously the Acting Executive Director of Corporate Services at the City of Albany.

The Albany Port Authority Chief Executive Officer, Brad Williamson, said “I am very pleased to have someone of Pam’s calibre join the executive of the Port. Pam is highly experienced and has an outstanding reputation in Albany, I am sure she will have a lot to contribute to the Port”.

Pam replaces Garry Adams, who is about to join the City of Albany. Pam started at the Port on Monday 29 May 2012.

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We are also publishers of Australian Main Roads Construction News, Australia’s leading Road Construction newspaper

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Head Office: 14 Merriman Court, PALMWOODS QLD 4555

guide the company’s $700 million investment developing new container terminals in Port of Brisbane and Port Botany that will dramatically increase capacity and introduce more competition into those ports.

HPH’s Managing Director for Australasia and North Asia, Raymond Law, says Dr Gumley’s appointment underlines the Group’s commitment to Australia.

“HPH is bringing the full weight of its resources to establishing a technically advanced, strong and efficient stevedore in Australia,” Mr Law said.

“This, together with Dr Gumley’s fresh approach and proven ability to establish new smart businesses, makes him ideal to introduce a dynamic new stevedoring operation into Australia,” Mr Law said.

Dr Gumley says creating more competition in Australia’s major ports has to be good for importers and exporters, the economy and ultimately every Australian.

“Not- withstanding the variability of the global economy, the consistent theme in Australia’s ports is one of incredible growth in demand. The ability of our ports to cater for this continuing growth is fundamental to health of Australia’s economy, “ Dr Gumley said.

For all editorial and general enquiries Phone: (07) 5478 9432 Fax: (07) 5445 9431 Email: admin@austportsnews.com.au

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Editorial Contributions

HPH appoints new Australian operations Chief Executive

UTCHISON Port Holdings (HPH), the world’s largest container port developer and operator, has appointed Dr Stephen Gumley to lead its new Australian operations.

As Chief Executive of HPH’s Australian container port operations, Dr Gumley will

ABN 81 149 194 909

Postal Address: PO Box 1176, MOOLOOLABA QLD 4557

Pam Wignall appointed as Finance and Administration Manager at Albany Port

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AUSTRALIAN PORTS NEWS PTY LTD

Port Authorities including all industries represented within Port Authorities, associated Associations and Organisations are invited to submit editorial, photo input highlighting Port expansions, new technology being introduced to Port precincts, purchases of major equipment to assist in port handling, new senior appointments, including all associated news matters related to the smooth and efficient operation of all Port precincts to appear in all future issues of the Australian Ports News, free of charge to allow and inform our Australasian readership.

In the first instance, please contact the publisher, Tom Cook for further details on: (07) 5478 9432 or email: admin@austportsnews.com.au Web: www.austportsnews.com.au

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In this issue: • Port Botany Rail Yard enters 21st

Century Efficiencies Page 3 • The Townsville Port Inner Harbour Expansion Project Pages 4-8 • Fortescue Opens third berth as 155mtpa moves closer Page 9 • Sydney Ports - driving supply chain efficiency Pages 10-12 • Albany Port Authority ‘Name our New Pilot Boat’ competition winner announced Pages 12-15 • Port of Melbourne Corporation Increasing volumes promote expansion of Port Melbourne Pages 16-17 • A breath of fresh air: Capturing Fumigation and other toxic Gases in Shipping Containers Page 19 • Weighbridge and Scales Feature Pages 20-23 • A complete solution for dust and fumes Pages 24-25 • Expansion at Port Hedland Port Authority Pages 26-27 • Works begin on Espernace Port Access Corridor Page 28

Port Botany Rail Yard Enters 21st Century Efficiencies T HE upgrade and reconfiguration of the rail yard at Port Botany has now been completed, part of an ambitious project which will transform the movement of freight across the Sydney Basin and take up to 300,000 trucks a year off the City’s road network.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has today also announced that work on the next stage of the $172 million Port Botany Rail Upgrade project has commenced, with Downer Australia selected for the job of expanding the Enfield rail yard so it can accommodate more trains at any one time.

“This vital nation building project will eliminate dockside bottlenecks and speed up the movement of freight into and out of what is the nation’s second largest container port,” said Mr Albanese.

“It will also add additional capacity, increasing the number of containers which can be transported along the line from 700,000 to around 1,000,000 a year.

“But the benefits of this project will extend well beyond the transport industry and include more than just lower costs and improved reliability for the nation’s exporters and importers. With more freight on the back of trains, there will over time be up to 300,000 fewer trucks coming and going from the Port each year.

“For Sydneysiders, that means less congestion and fewer harmful carbon emissions.

Above: ARTC CEO John Fullerton “Increasing the rail network’s capacity to shift ever larger volumes of trade into and out of Australia’s major international gateway ports, such as Port Botany, quickly and efficiently is a key aim of the unprecedented $3.4 billion capital works program initiated

by Federal Labor and which is now rolling out nationwide.”

Subject to a successful conclusion to negotiations with the NSW Government over transferring management of the line to the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), the Port Botany Rail Upgrade project will also install the latest signalling technology on the section between the Cooks River and Mascot.

Exciting new Agricultural development approved for Newcastle and regional New South Wales

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EWCASTLE Agri Terminal (NAT) has confirmed funding and consent to construct a new state of the art, independent agricultural export terminal in Newcastle with building planned to commence in April 2012.

The terminal is scheduled for completion in June 2013 and according to NAT Executive Director Jock Carter, it will introduce port terminal competition for grain in New South Wales for the first time.

“The terminal design will bring new standards in safety, dust and noise management. The terminal will also introduce fumigant capture technology which is a first for export grain terminals in Australia. We believe this project to be a great example of the ‘Working Port’ concept where Australian grain growers achieve more efficient access to export markets while reducing the impact on local portside communities.

Newcastle is a key hub for grain exports in this state, yet the recent NSW Grain Supply Chain Review conducted by the Federal and New South Wales Governments identified constraints in Newcastle as a major issue of concern,” he said.

The terminal is the culmination of three years of work by executive directors Jock Carter and Martin MacKay, and follows extensive consultation with grower groups, grain exporters, planning authorities and the local community.

Jock and Martin will be responsible for the construction and ongoing management of the terminal with investment provided by the executive team and three leading grain exporters Glencore Grain, Olam and CBH Grain.

“We are fortunate to have had a great team of investors who have a real interest in introducing innovation and efficiency to the grain supply chain,” said Martin MacKay. “The NAT business is headquartered in Carrington and the project will create more than 100 construction jobs, long term employment in Newcastle and will be a catalyst for the growth of other new business in the Hunter region.

This is the first major grain port development in NSW in over 25 years and it has the potential to reinstate Newcastle as the principal grain port of east coast Australia,” he said.

“We believe the proposed terminal is consistent with the vision of Newcastle Port Corporation, ARTC and the NSW state government. It makes great use of existing infrastructure and promotes regional development. The terminal will strengthen the diversity of trade through the port and introduce new standards in environmental management,” said Mr MacKay. Mr Carter conducted a Churchill Fellowship in 2009 which identified effective port facilities as the cornerstone for grain supply chain efficiency. “We believe this terminal will have far reaching benefits for the grain industry through encouraging competition, innovation and investment right through NSW. New technologies combined with increased rail efficiencies will also enable significant reductions in carbon emissions per tonne of grain exported,” said Mr Carter.

The terminal will have approximately 60,000 metric tonnes of storage and the capability to unload trains and load up to Panamax vessels at 2000 tonnes per hour. The site for the terminal is vacant port-zoned industrial land at Carrington. The terminal will use existing rail infrastructure and will share access to the Dyke No.2 berth.

ARTC CEO John Fullerton said the improvements being made to the Port Botany Rail Line would lift its capacity by more than 30 per cent.

“Once the entire project is completed in 2014, the Line will be able to cope with the growth, which is expected in the years ahead, including the much higher volumes that will flow from 2013 when the Port’s third terminal becomes operational,” said Mr Fullerton.

“The upgraded Port Botany Rail Line, and the associated works at Enfield, will connect with the new Southern Sydney Freight Line, which is expected to commence operations in early 2013, and from there onto the Main North South Line between Melbourne and Brisbane.

“It will also complement the $1.1 billion project now under way to ease congestion and remove bottlenecks along the rail corridor through Sydney’s northern suburbs to Newcastle as well as the proposed new intermodal facility at Moorebank.

“Together, these projects represent a major overhaul of Sydney’s freight rail infrastructure, which in the longer term will significantly improve operations across the entire national and NSW rail networks.

“The ARTC is determined to make rail even more competitive and restore it to its rightful place at the heart of this nation’s transport system.

New deal for Tasmanian Exporters

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HE Gillard Labor Government has announced details of a oneoff $20 million funding package to help Tasmania’s exporters reach international markets.

The package was first flagged in March in response to the decision last year by Tasmania’s sole international shipping container operator AAA to cease operations.

Since March, Commonwealth and Tasmanian Governments have worked together to craft the package which will ensure the State’s exports can continue to reach world markets.

These practical measures address the complex commercial realities facing Tasmanian exporters.

They also address deficiencies in the State’s supply lines and transport infrastructure, providing a better environment for Tasmanian exporters to compete internationally.

The funding package contains three key measures.

1 Direct and immediate assistance to Tasmanian exporters through a one-off payment to help them stay competitive in the new shipping environment.

2 Investing in infrastructure improvements at the Port of Burnie to increase container handling capacity and enhance the efficiency of movements within the port.

3 Establish a freight logistics coordination team with an industry leadership.

Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Federal Member for Braddon Sid Sidebottom says the package will be welcome news for Tasmania’s exporters.

“My Federal Tasmanian Labor colleagues and I listened to the concerns of our local exporters and have worked very closely with the Prime Minister and Minister Albanese to provide this much needed $20 million package,” Mr Sidebottom said.

“These infrastructure improvements at the Port of Burnie are crucial, and recognise

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Above: Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Federal Member for Braddon, Sid Sidebottom its importance as the major freight port in Tasmania.

“The port will receive $4 million in Federal infrastructure funding to increase container handling capacity and improve the movement of goods within the port, boosting efficiency and helping to lower costs for Tasmanian exporters.

“Combined with the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme which was first announced

by Gough Whitlam, the package supports exports which are so crucial to Tasmania’s economic growth.”

Federal Member for Lyons Dick Adams said the package is a much needed investment in Tasmania’s export industries.

“This is a blueprint for Tasmania to address the need for better coordination of our road, rail and shipping sectors and to create more efficient links to the mainland and overseas to meet the needs of the State both now, and well into the future,” Mr Adams said.

“I am delighted we have been able to secure this vital funding for Tasmania.”

Australian Ports News - Page 3

Port Expansion a big boost for Townsville Aerial shot looking toward the Berths and Port land

The Townsville Port Inner Harbour Expansion (TPIX), currently being constructed by the Seymour Whyte Smithbridge Joint Venture (SWSJV) will provide the best of both worlds for Townsville and surrounding areas by creating facilities that will attract both civilian and military personal.

Importantly, the project has the power to provide a huge financial boost to the regional economy, through the potential for new employment opportunities. In itself, TPIX will provide new berths for visiting cruise ships, military vessels and commercial shipping. Headlining the new facility will be a multi-purpose passenger terminal, which will cater for thousands of cruise passengers and naval personnel.

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PIX is undoubtedly an exciting project.

It is a strategic investment in the future, with the potential to provide a new source of constant income for businesses, not just locally, but across the region. For Townsville, the timing couldn’t be better. Tropical Northern Queensland has taken a battering in the recent past with floods, heavy rain and cyclones.

Any subsequent economic benefits derived from the harbour expansion, whether through commercial enterprise or tourism, are welcome and deserved.

The Port of Townsville is already Queensland’s third largest commercial port, providing North Queensland with a world class gateway for commerce and trade. The port handles approximately ten million tonnes of export cargo annually, which represents the movement of over $3.5 billion in export trade.

The Port is one of the world’s leading exporters of base metals by variety and Australia’s largest exporter of raw sugar and molasses.

The Port’s value to the region is unquestionable. It acts as a gateway for the

region’s business and agriculture interests as well as supporting Townsville as a major Australian Defence Force base.

As Queensland’s premier multi-cargo port, future growth is assured with the continued and rapid expansion of the region’s mineral sector.

In addition there is opportunity to increase the frequency of cruise liners to the port, which would bring greater economic benefits. The program to expand the port is therefore critical to meet these growing demands.

At the heart of the expansion is Port of Townsville Limited (POTL), a Government Owned Corporation. In 2007, POTL developed the Port Master Plan to highlight the expansion required to ensure its facilities could respond to predicted growth and opportunities in mining, tourism and naval defence needs.

TPIX is an essential part of that program and as such, the expansion has been jointly funded by the Federal and State governments.

POTL and Townsville City Council have also provided funds for additional works to facilitate commercial shipping operations and to construct new and upgraded access roads.

THE EARLY CONTRACTOR INVOLVEMENT (ECI) PROCESS To determine the right design and construction solution, POTL applied the competitive, Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) procurement process. This is a more recent innovation in tendering for major projects in Australia. It is a more cost-effective process and offers many benefits.

The ECI process, conducted by POTL, allowed all interested proponents to participate at an early stage for tender selection through a request for proposal (RFP). A short list was selected to undergo the final phase of the ECI. In this instance, the two proponents selected by POTL were the Seymour Whyte Smithbridge Joint Venture (SWSJV) and the Baulderstone Consortium.

This final stage of the ECI process was extremely comprehensive, developing innovative ideas through workshops, meetings and discussions. Project risks were identified so that prior to the final tender selection all aspects of the project had been considered, including design, construction, economics, the environment and matters related to the broader community.

Following the dual ECI process, the final selection was made and POTL awarded the design and construct contract to the Seymour Whyte Smithbridge Joint Venture (SWSJV) along with design partner, Kellogg Brown and Root.

SEYMOUR WHYTE SMITHBRIDGE JOINT VENTURE GOES TO WORK The Port of Townsville is located within Cleveland Bay, adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, occupying an area between the mouths of Ross River and Ross Creek.

The Townsville Port Inner Harbour Expansion (TPIX) encompasses three construction components to be completed by the SWSJV. The TPIX project consists of three packages of work: Construction of Berth 10A; the upgrade of Berth 8 and the construction of a multi-purpose terminal.

The works are expected to be complete and operational in late 2013. Throughout the life of the project, it is expected that around 400 jobs will be created.

BERTH 10A

Artist’s impressions of Townsville terminal

The extension of Berth 10A will provide the Port with suitable docking area for cruise liners, military vessels and commercial ships Continued on page 5

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Port Expansion a big boost for Townsville

Continued from page 4

up to 270m in length with a 32m beam. The redevelopment will also result in a much improved, general cargo handling facility.

As part of the Berth 10A redevelopment, the SWSJV is responsible for the demolition of existing wharf structures and the construction of a new 190m primary wharf which will be extended by a further 55m to accommodate a secondary wharf.

The wharf structure is comprised of a cast in-situ reinforced concrete desk supported on driven steel piles up to 960mm in diameter.

Once complete, Berth 10A will provide North Queensland with a dedicated military berth suitable for the Department of Defence’s planned growth and increasing presence in the region and is designed for the new LHD vehicles due in service in 2014.

Berth 10A will also provide a dedicated berth for cruise liners, significantly increasing Townsville’s capability to attract tourism. The North Queensland tourism sector and local businesses will benefit from the increasing visitor numbers.

When completed, the Berth 10A redevelopment will allow container and truck movements to continue unaffected by any activities related to a berthed cruise ship. A U-turn facility has been included for long B-double trailers and enough space to allow vehicles to manoeuvre safely without interfering with the ebb and flow of cruise ship passengers.

TERMINAL PRECINCT

Above: Precast fender blockout & stopend being installed for the first pour on the beam extension for Berth 8.

The terminal precinct is a key part of TPIX, consisting of the terminal building. The facility will be an impressive attraction, with great views and an expansive ‘meet and greet’ plaza leading from the extended wharf area into the terminal building. The building has been www.austportsnews.com.au

designed so that it is architecturally in sympathy and scale with the surrounding buildings.

The terminal precinct will connect the plaza and the public exit/entry area. This will allow passengers easy access to the processing area, which includes Customs and Australian Quarantine Inspection Services.

SWSJV Project Manager, Michael Zwar is pleased with the design of the new facility. “It’s a great opportunity to work with POTL and our other partners on such a rewarding project,” said Michael. “The design of the new terminal is to a large extent unique and it will serve its purpose very well.”

The terminal building is highly functional and very practical so that all potential passenger and security needs can be met.

“We’ve incorporated a number of features that will ensure that the terminal precinct can easily accommodate and service around 1000 people using base port or transit port operational modes,” explained Michael.

To ensure protection from North Queensland’s variable climate, the main roof spans the terminal concourse and extends over the meet and greet area and provides great flexibly in the function of the Terminal Building and the wider precinct.

The flexibility incorporated within the design of the precinct will allow the building to be used for functions and exhibitions. The external plaza can be used for public gatherings without risk to the normal security required in such a facility.

Sustainability has been a priority in the design of the terminal precinct. The terminal building features a visually appealing roof design that will shade on both northern and western sides of the building. In addition, large ceiling fans will be used in undercover areas.

This sustainable approach reduces the need for expensive air conditioning.

Continued on page 6

Australian Ports News - Page 5

Port Expansion a big boost for Townsville Continued from page 5

BERTH 8 UPGRADE

SWSJV – THE DELIVERY TEAM

The third component of TPIX is the redevelopment of Berth 8 (Marine), which will provide a much needed, structural upgrade and an extension to the wharf.

The Berth 8 redevelopment features a structural upgrade and wharf extension.

Increasing the berth’s capacity is essential due to the deterioration of Berth 7, which handles 14% of POTL’s total trade.

The SWSJV will initially dredge the berth pocket and demolish the existing deck topping slab. Recycled rock material from the dredging operation will be used to construct the wharf revetment and to protect the Berth 10 shoreline against wave action. The project team will also install new ship-loader rails and construct a new slab with appropriate drainage and waste management systems.

New support piles will be installed along with associated decking and a section of the wharf will be strengthened to provide a cyclone tie-down point for the ship-loader. This section will be further upgraded with the construction of footings for a conveyor trestle and a transfer tower. This part of the redevelopment will include the provision of services to enable the subsequent addition of bulk materials handling facilities.

SWSJV will reconfigure the road and pavement interface between Berth 8, Berth 9 and Lennon Drive. This aspect includes an upgrade to services such as water, power and wastewater management.

Once complete, Berth 8 will be able to accommodate Panamax-sized vessels up to 220 metres in length, with ultimately a bulk mineral loading capacity to efficiently load mineral concentrates and fertilizer products.

Seymour Whyte and Smithbridge bring together the strengths and systems of a proven civil construction company along with the expertise and track record of a marine specialist.

Smithbridge has extensive experience as an award-winning company on projects across Australia, New Zealand, Guam and New Caledonia. Smithbridge has built a strong reputation for all branches through engineering innovations, efficient and outstanding job performance and high safety standards.

Seymour Whyte is a dynamic mid-tier infrastructure company with a 25-year history in the successful delivery of over $1 billion of major projects across Queensland and New South Wales. Through its collaborative approach, Seymour Whyte has earned the trust and confidence of its customers, made up of Government authorities and major corporations.

With a focus on large and complex projects, Seymour Whyte has developed an enviable reputation for excellence allowing the company to: attract and retain high quality staff; win repeat business of an expanding project size and deliver a stable and growing track record of profitability.

The company’s ability to negotiate collaborative forms of contracts has seen it develop a highly respected reputation in the successful delivery of complex civil infrastructure projects.

In the delivery of TPIX, Seymour Whyte and Smithbridge are working with Principal Design Consultant Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR) and sub-consultants, Flanagan Consulting Group, Arkhefield and Cardno Splat as well as a host of specialist subcontractors.

The SWSJV brings together two likeminded industry contractors to provide Port of Townsville Limited (POTL) with an integrated and valuable team of specialists to work with POTL and create a sustainable and value for money TPIX solution.

“Overall, the total expansion has the potential to achieve a number of logistical and economic benefits for the region well into the future,” said Michael.

“It’s cost-effective projects like these that can make a huge difference for regional communities and it’s a pleasure to be involved in making it happen.”

For more information about TPIX visit; www.townsville-port.com.au/tpix

Above: Piles installed and cut to level for beam extension at Berth 8.

Below: Berth 10 piles.

Commissioning of 20t impact hammer for dynamic pile testing

Lyndons - The Tradesmans Warehouse

LYNDONS “The Tradesmans Warehouse” The widest range of concreting tools, building materials & concreting equipment at the best prices in Australia.

Lyndons Townsville 473 Bayswater Rd Mt Louisa Qld 4814 Phone: 07 4774 7877 Fax: 07 4774 7611 Email: townsville@lyndons.com.au Web: www.lyndons.com.au

Proud Supplier to the TPIX Page 6 - Australian Ports News

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4 0 0 0 lines

of stock

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YNDONS is an Australian and Family owned company and has been operating in Queensland since the 1930’s.

Supplying materials to the Construction and Mining Industries throughout the entire state.

We carry 4000-5000 lines of stock making us one of the largest stockists of quality products to the Construction Industry.

Lyndons operate as a “one stop shop” to the relevant trades and take pride on

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being able to service our customers with quality and the best prices possible.

Lyndons product range is vast catering from the ground up with steel mesh and reinforcing, sand and cement, construction grouts and epoxy, waterproofing, decorative concrete materials , rockcote render system as well as a very large variety of tools and machinery.

Lyndons have a fleet of vehicles such as crane trucks , tip trucks , utes to deliver to site at your request.

Sika provides a new lease of life for TPIX Berths T

HE Townsville Port Inner Harbour Expansion (TPIX) is an exciting project that will provide a huge economic boost for the Townsville region. The $100 million plus redevelopment by the Seymour Whyte Smithbridge Joint Venture (SWSJV) on behalf of Port of Townsville Limited (POT) is funded jointly by state and federal governments with extra financial contributions from POTL and Townsville City Council.

TPIX will result in a new multipurpose terminal facility as well as the reconstruction and extension of Berth 10 (Stage A) to enhance cargo loading efficiency and to provide a dedicated cruise and military berth. The third element is the upgrade of Berth 8 to accommodate Panamax-sized vessels, a 3000 tonne per hour ship loader and associated materials handling infrastructure.

Sika Australia’s formidable reputation as a producer and supplier of epoxy adhesives, grouts, concrete repair products and industrial coatings makes it an ideal choice for this type of project.

The company’s relationship with the SWSVJ reflects both the high quality of Sika’s products and its commitment in meeting Australasian construction conditions, environmental demands and regulations. Sika Australia has facilities in every state and produces a range of construction products suitable for marine, domestic and commercial use which are specifically developed for Australia and New Zealand.

Sika Australia Pty Ltd established in 1976, is part of the Sika Group, a global manufacturing giant with a worldwide network of 110 subsidiaries in over 70 countries and supported by over 15,000 employees. Founded in Switzerland in 1910, the company’s expertise stretches back over one hundred years, during which time it has clearly led the way in developing and producing an extraordinary range of purpose-made adhesives, sealants and industrial coatings.

Innovation has always been the key to Sika’s corporate strength and durability both in new product development and market expansion.

The now famous Sikaflex ® is just one example of the company’s leadership in producing industrial strength adhesive sealants. However,

its remarkable history of achievement and the company’s very survival, given the global economic and social turbulence it has witnessed over such a long period of time, is due in part to the strategic implementation of its operational muscle throughout the globe.

Part of that smart business strategy has been to divide its activities into four business units (BU) which operate under two separate divisions, namely Construction and Industry.

Three of those business units, BU Concrete, BU Contractors and BU Distribution are applied through the Construction Division and cover concrete and mortar admixtures such as water reducers, accelerators, and corrosion inhibitors while the fourth business unit, BU Industry, concentrates on industrial adhesives and sealants.

Although linked through the broad array of technical R&D production benefits, purchasing power and collective expertise at their disposal, the operation of two separate divisions has served to reduce the company’s vulnerability and exposure in the face of ever changing, global economic cycles.

Berth 10 from the pre-cast deck.

Sika Australia produces a range of products that in effect serve to enhance sustainability and one of the three components in the TPIX project is the redevelopment of Berth 8 (Marine). This aspect of the project involves a structural upgrade and an extension to the berth to accommodate Panamax-sized vessels up to 220 metres in length. The upgrade by SWSJV will also improve the bulk mineral loading capacity of this particular berth.

Sika has supplied cementitious repair products for the upgrade of Berth 8 from its Monotop range as part of the concrete deck repair process and to reinstate the piles supporting the deck. Apart from the structural upgrade, Sika’s durable repair products will assist in extending the service life of Berth 8.

The redevelopment of Berth 10A, which SWSJV commenced in October 2011, will provide a dedicated berth for cruise liners, military vessels and commercial ships and greatly enhance the cargo handling capacity of the Port.

CONCRETE COLOURS

Sika is a worldwide organisation constantly striving for new levels of excellence. This means developing innovative technologies that will open up new opportunities for the company and its partners in trade and industry.

Call us today to discuss your next project. www.austportsnews.com.au

As a supplier to the SWSJV, Sika Australia has been involved in this stage since the early stages, providing a range of construction products including surface retarders, curing products, cementitious grouts and various other support products.

Sika’s contribution on behalf of the SWSJV to the TPIX project is likely to continue due to the company’s ability to offer the right construction and marine products as well as technical support through its laboratories and manufacturing facilities in Brisbane and Sydney.

As a separate project, Sika recently contributed to the structural strengthening of Xtrata’s Berth 7 in collaboration with Queensland’s Remedial Building Services Pty Ltd. Berth 7 was built in 1964 but over the years it has suffered ongoing structural deterioration to the extent that navigational restrictions have been imposed. Its ability to handle large cargo ships is also restricted so a substantial overhaul was required to bring the berth back to life.

In order to strengthen the concrete wall which forms part of the facility, Sika Australia applied its state of the art, carbon fibre system, ‘Sika® CarboDur®’. The process involves adhering carbon fibre strips of a nominated size and thickness to the prepared concrete.

The benefits of this particular strengthening process far outweigh traditional methods such as the application of steel plates etc. Carbon fibre is a lightweight substance but it is also extremely strong and corrosion resistant. Sika also supplied Sikagard® - 63N, a protective coating which was selected due to its high durability and chemical resistance.

In 2010 the Sika Group celebrated its one hundredth birthday and the occasion served as a reminder of the enduring business strategy that continues to provide the company with constant global market success.

Reaching such an anniversary is also an extraordinary corporate achievement revealing a journey highlighted by the consistent development of a range of innovative, construction support products. It’s a range that serves to reinforce Sika’s service philosophy to provide the right solution for the task from the ‘basement to the roof’.

WATERPROOFING

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1300 22 33 48 www.sika.com.au Australian Ports News - Page 7

Balfour Consulting keeps the community up-to-date with TPIX

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ALFOUR CONSULTING is proud to be part of the team that is building a significant asset for the Port of Townsville Ltd and the city of Townsville. The TPIX project, including the passenger terminal, is a highly anticipated project within the Townsville community.

Managing community expectations and involvement is a critical element of the project. Balfour Consulting’s detailed knowledge of Townsville and North Queensland will contribute to the success of the engagement process.

Balfour Consulting was included in the project due to its reputation for successful management of community engagement in major public infrastructure projects in North Queensland, most recently the Flinders Street Redevelopment Project and the Douglas Arterial Duplication.

Further to this, Balfour Consulting has in-house social and market research capabilities, which are a significant value-add for clients in any project.

“Managing community engagement for the Seymour Whyte Smithbridge Joint Venture and TPIX is both interesting and challenging,” said Mary Balfour, managing consultant for the community engagement team.

“Our aim is to keep stakeholders and the local community informed about what is happening with the project, provide them with avenues for feedback and work to help minimise any construction impacts on the community.”

Mary said they were greatly assisted in achieving these aims by the ready acceptance of the need for community engagement by the SWSJV team. “Along with staff from the POTL, they have provided regular information on what is happening with the project, and the speedy turnaround of information has helped us keep the community up-to-date with the progress of TPIX.”

Above: Construction in progress on the Townsville Port expansion.

SLR - A Sustainable Global Resource of Expertise S

LR Consulting is a leading environmental engineering consultancy and for over thirty years the team has built a reputation for providing clients with cutting edge, creative environmental solutions. Their multidisciplinary team delivers global expertise in both environmental sciences and engineering from a network of 8 offices Australia-wide and offices globally.

The team at SLR has established a reputation for providing high quality, specialist and responsive environmental, hygiene and scientific services to clients in the Infrastructure, Mining & Minerals, Energy, Waste Management, Planning & Development and Industry market sectors.

The team at SLR Consulting has considerable experience in working at both the corporate level, and at project level on some of Australia’s largest infrastructure projects. Projects of particular mention include SLR Consulting’s involvement in an extensive program of Passive Acoustic Monitoring for a significant offshore coal mining infrastructure project (client confidential).

This work involved a significant amount of offshore work on monitoring vessels for a dedicated team of acoustic consultants.

Secondly, SLR has recently conducted 3D underwater noise modelling and a detailed acoustical assessment relating to the potential impact from dredging, drilling, underwater blasting and piling for a (confidential) port Page 8 - Australian Ports News

project in Western Australia on marine fauna.

One of their strengths is the project-team structure, which enables them to maintain a high degree of expertise in their areas of specialist knowledge, whilst providing a personalised service to their clients.

As an example of that cost effective flexibility, currently, there’s a major project underway in Townsville which will provide a huge boost for the local economy. The Townsville Port Inner Harbour Expansion (TPIX) involves both new infrastructure construction and redevelopment of existing facilities. It is being constructed by the Seymour Whyte Smithbridge Joint Venture (SWSJV). SLR Consulting has provided a qualified environmental officer to work alongside the project team during the construction process to assist in the application of best environmental practice.

SLR Consulting’s experience at Ports has also extended to include baseline water quality monitoring in accordance with the Coordinator General’s requirements for the Townsville Ocean terminal. This included metals, pesticides, nutrients and turbidity over a 6 month period.

In a world where it is critical that the design and application of new infrastructure is sustainable and its subsequent impact on the environment is minimised, SLR Consulting is equipped to perform an important role in ensuring that world best environmental practice is achieved every step of the way.

global environmental solutions SLR Consulting is a leading environmental engineering consultancy.

For over thirty years our team has built a reputation for providing clients with cutting edge, creative environmental solutions.

Our multidisciplinary team delivers global expertise in both environmental sciences and engineering from our network of 9 offices Australia-wide.

We are focused on providing superior technical services to our clients in order to add value, reduce environmental uncertainties and minimise expenditures.

Our team has experience in working at both the corporate level, and at project level on some of Australia’s largest infrastructure projects.

Recent project examples include works at Hay Point Coal Terminal Expansion, Wiggins Island Coal Terminal, Abbot Point Coal Terminal Expansion Project, RG Tanna Coal Terminal and Bunbury Port Expansion. ●

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www.austportsnews.com.au

Fortescue opens third berth as 155mtpa moves closer Insert: Shiploader

Main: CEO Nev Power with Fortescue Chairman Andrew Forrest.

More than 150 million tonnes shipped to customers The third berth was completed only four years after Fortescue began loading its first commercial shipment of iron ore for delivery to Baosteel, one of its major customers and one of China’s largest steelmakers. Since that historic day, Fortescue has exported more than 150 million tonnes of iron ore to customers in Asia and shipped almost 4 million tonnes of iron ore for third parties.

“Four years ago I praised the ingenuity, persistence and hard work of everyone involved in bringing our project to life,” Mr Forrest said. “Today I’m incredibly proud that those characteristics are still very much alive at Fortescue as we rapidly expand our production to 155mtpa.”

More than 4,900 tonnes of concrete and 6,015 tonnes of steel were used to construct the 360 metre long berth. The shiploader, which weighs 927 tonnes, is capable of loading 13,500 tonnes of iron ore per hour, the equivalent of 100 Landcruisers per minute.

F

ORTESCUE METALS Group (Fortescue) recently officially opened its third berth at Herb Elliott Port, a key milestone in the company’s plan to triple iron ore production by mid-2013.

Minister for Mines and Petroleum Norman Moore joined Fortescue Chairman Andrew Forrest and Chief Executive Officer Nev Power in Port Hedland to open the berth, a core component of Fortescue’s US$8.4 billion infrastructure expansion of iron ore production from its Pilbara operations to 155 million tonnes per annum*.

The third berth and a second outloading circuit take Fortescue’s outload capacity to more than 100mpta. It represents the first phase of a US$2.4 billion program to expand the port to support Fortescue’s Cloudbreak and Christmas Creek mining operations, comprising the Chichester Hub, and the new Solomon Hub currently under construction.

A fourth berth is due for completion in the March quarter, 2013.

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Australian Ports News - Page 9

Sydney Ports – driving supply chain efficiency Driving supply chain efficiency is an on-going challenge for many major ports around the world and Sydney is no exception.

Sydney’s ports have played a pivotal role in the economic development of Australia for the past 200 years and today they handle more than $61-billion a year in domestic and international trade.

W

HERE ONCE the main focus was managing navigational, pilotage and the operational needs of commercial shipping, Sydney Port’s role has broadened significantly to a leadership role in developing and managing port facilities and facilitating and coordinating improvements in supply chain efficiency.

Finding better ways of getting more than 2 million TEU’s a year in and out of Port Botany is a key challenge for Sydney Ports and in recent years, there has been considerable success.

Delivering greater productivity and efficiency No project illustrates that point more than the $1 billion Port Botany Expansion.

This huge infrastructure project has also given Sydney Ports the opportunity to implement substantial and innovative measures to improve supply chain and logistics efficiency.

Key among those incentives are performance leases, whereby the leases incentivise stevedores to be more productive in the way they operate, and the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS), which has created a regulatory relationship between road transport carriers and stevedores to ensure a efficient and consistent level of service for both parties.

Before Sydney Ports started the reform process, the truck turnaround at Port Botany was considered below par. However, through a combination of cooperation and regulation, Sydney Ports has implemented a commercial relationship between transport companies and stevedores, wherein both parties pay each other reciprocal penalties if they do not perform.

Sydney Ports CEO, Mr Grant Gilfillan, said he is pretty sure it’s a first - “I’m not aware of that happening anywhere else in the world and it’s been highly successful.”

“The penalties that flow back and forth through PBLIS, between the transport

companies and the stevedores, are fair and equitable and so the system has been proven to work.

“The net effect is that truck turnaround times have come down from around 55 minutes to less than 30 minutes and stevedores are seeing more off peak and weekend demand for slots, Mr Gilfillan said.

Expanding the Patrick Terminal Another significant initiative to improve port efficiency is Performance Leases which incentivise the stevedore financially to improve their crane rate, truck turn times and the volume they put on rail. In recent weeks, Asciano (parent company of Patrick) and Sydney Ports Corporation reached an agreement to expand the Patrick Stevedore container terminal at Port Botany and extend a performance lease on the combined site to 2043.

The proposed terminal expansion will increase Patrick’s footprint at Port Botany and double the notional capacity of the terminal to 2.5 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) per annum. Port Botany is currently subject to a 3.2 million TEU per annum planning cap covering all terminals which, based on likely growth scenario projections, will be hit in 2017.

Mr Gilfillan said that, under the performance leasing agreement, Patrick

Aerial view of Port Botany

Page 10 - Australian Ports News

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Sydney Ports CEO Mr Grant Gilfillan

will combine its existing terminal with an adjoining 17.6 hectare site called ‘the Knuckle’. The expansion will extend Patrick’s quay line to 1400m, enabling Patrick’s four berths to accommodate the New Panamax size vessels.

“The agreement between Asciano and Sydney Ports Corporation is contingent on Asciano meeting a series of development obligations at their Patrick terminal, including an agreed minimum amount of capital expenditure. These obligations must be met before Asciano can secure the extended lease for the combined site,” Mr Gilfillan said.

The Knuckle site sits adjacent Port Botany’s new Terminal 3 (T3) and extends the Patrick terminal quay line to the west.

Final work on the terminal is currently being completed by Hutchison Port Holdings, the selected operator of T3 and is expected to be operational early next year, again under a performance lease.

Improving road safety Sydney Ports is also playing a part as joint facilitator in an initiative aimed at improving road safety in the Port Botany area.

Leading a taskforce which includes Roads and Maritime Service, Transport for NSW as well as stevedores, Australian Trucking Association, Shipping Australia Limited, Sydney Ports is helping with the implementation of Weigh-InMotion (WIM) scales for trucks exiting both Patrick and DP World terminals at the port.

This requirement to detect overweight vehicles before they leave Port Botany is set out in New South Wales (NSW) Chain of Responsibility legislation, which is modelled on national legislative (compliance and enforcement) reforms that were introduced to improve and support the heavy vehicle and road transport industries.

Weigh-In-Motion devices allow trucks to drive straight over a weigh bridge without stopping - thereby helping to maintain efficient traffic flow at the port and not impeding on other productivity initiatives, namely the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS).

Trials are about to begin on the WIM scales and their effectiveness assessed before fully going live.

The aim of the trial is to detect overweight vehicles and move those with minor or substantial breaches to six suitable locations within the port precinct, where loads can be adjusted to legal limits.

“This will minimise congestion within the stevedores’ gates, with only severely overweight vehicles needing to be managed inside the stevedore terminals. At the same time it will ensure that the road safety and infrastructure risks to the road network are minimised,” Mr Gilfillan said.

Above: The new Harwich Haven Pilot Boats, the same design as ordered by Sydney Ports.

Left: Progress visit 10 April 2012.

“... getting more than 2 million containers a year in and out of Port Botany is a key challenge for Sydney Ports ...”

Below: Port Botany AR.

Improving traffic flow at Port Botany In March this year, more than 500 concrete trucks lined up at Port Botany for the biggest elevated continuous concrete pour in NSW history.

The pour was a critical stage in construction of a $55-million elevated roundabout which will streamline access to and from Port Botany’s Brotherson Dock.

“Managing contractors, Baulderstone, poured more than 6,500 tonnes of concrete non-stop for 26 hours, a huge undertaking which had been carefully planned for many months,” Mr Gilfillan said.

“This grade separation project, part of the $1-billion Port Botany Expansion, elevates Penrhyn Road over the freight railway lines servicing Patrick’s and Sydney Intermodal Container Terminals Limited (SICTL).

It will enable trucks servicing the port, unimpeded access to the northern side of Port Botany.

“This will greatly improve the flow of traffic in and out of this part of Port Botany, as previously they had to wait for long periods at the Penryhn Road rail crossing while 600-metre plus freight trains rolled slowly though. The addition of the Hutchison rail lines would have required a second rail crossing and further delays to Patrick terminal trucks.

“On average, 24 trains use these lines every day with a truck waiting time of about 8 minutes per train, so the new roundabout will improve traffic flow times by more than 3 hours a day,” Mr Gilfillan said.

“This is an incredible bit of engineering – a huge roundabout right over the old railway crossing. Since it spans more than 75 metres, the concrete pour has to be continuous to ensure the best possible post-tensioning of the support beams.

“When the entire project is finished later this year, there will be three access ramps and four bridge spans linked to the roundabout providing clear access to all tenants on the north side of Port Botany,” Mr Gilfillan said.

In 2012-13, a total of 264 ship visits are expected and the cruise industry expects that by the year 2020, Sydney will attract a million passengers per year.

Sydney is the only Australian port which provides two dedicated cruise terminals: the Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) at Circular Quay and Barangaroo 5, west of the Harbour Bridge.

Sydney Ports is working with the cruise industry to improve the infrastructure needed to cope with booming cruise passenger industry and has launched an $87 million Cruise Infrastructure Program.

The program comprises: • A new $57 million terminal at White Bay, replacing the Barangaroo facility; and • A new Master Plan for the Overseas Passenger Terminal, with $25 million to be invested in its redevelopment—and a further $5 million for mooring solutions to allow larger ships to berth at the OPT.

“The NSW Government welcomes the contribution being made to this State’s economy by the cruise industry, and Sydney Ports is working in partnership with the industry to ensure its strong future,” Mr Gilfillan said.

Investing in new pilot boats Sydney Ports will have its first new pilot boat in 23 years in September this year.

The first of three new boats on order, construction of the 16 metre vessel is well underway and is expected to begin sea trials in late June.

It is being built by North Wales-based Holyhead Marine, which has more than 40 years experience designing and building workboats, tugs and pilot boats for clients around the world.

Sydney Ports’ second and third boats are also being built there and the first of those will be ready for trials towards the end of the year.

Mr Gilfillan said that after up to 31 years of service, the Corporation’s existing boats have earned their retirement.

“Our crews have developed strong bonds with our old boats and it won’t be easy for them to say goodbye but our new vessels have a proven track record in numerous ports around the world and I’m confident they’ll become respected workhorses in the Sydney Ports fleet.

“They have double chine hulls, which handle big seas very well, and each will have two 600-horsepower Scania engines capable of driving these 24-tonne boats at better than 25 knots.”

Mr Gilfillan said that the first boat was expected in Australia by September and ready for use later that month.

www.sydneyports.com.au

Investing in cruise industry infrastructure Sydney is the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Australia’s booming cruise passenger industry, with a record 214 ships visiting the harbour city in the recent cruise season, a 43 per cent increase on the previous year. www.austportsnews.com.au

Australian Ports News - Page 11

Albany Port Authority

‘Name Our New Pilot Boat’ Competition Winner Announced T

HE winning entry for the Port’s ‘Name our New Pilot Boat’ competition is ‘Mokare’, submitted by Mr Greg Smithers.

More than 50 people sent in entries drawn from a variety of inspirations including the region’s early exploration and settlement; Albany’s ANZAC connection; local identities who made a big contribution to the community or maritime industry; and the natural environment.

The name was selected by a panel of people closely involved with the day to day operation of the pilot boat and approved by the Albany Port Authority CEO, Brad Williamson.

‘Mokare’ was a member of the Minang clan and he played an important role as a guide and a mediator during the early European settlement of Albany. His name also has the advantage of being a short and distinct word, which is easier to use during the frequent radio communications between the pilot boat, tug boats and ship.

‘It was very pleasing to see the high level of interest in the competition’ said Mr Williamson. ‘It was not easy to make a choice and many people had gone to a lot of effort to provide background information on the name they put forward. We would certainly like to acknowledge and thank them for their entries’.

The name that was most frequently nominated was ‘Stan Austin’. Mr Williamson explained that ‘The Port fully appreciates the contribution Stan Austin made to Albany and in particular to its maritime history however there is already a local work boat named after Stan Austin so using the name again was not an option’.

Above and right: The new Pilot Boat, ‘Mokare’, under construction.

M&J takes marine expertise under and over the water W

HEN you’ve been servicing and supplying the marine sector for over 40 years, both at home and abroad, then there’s a wealth of accrued product knowledge to rely on. Of course, if you’ve been in business for that long it means that you’ve built a reputation for getting it right every time. Such is the case with M&J Engineering & Marine Sales.

M&J is a Western Australian company that has achieved much during its long history, having created a successful market for its products and services not only nationally but throughout the world. The team at M&J supplies products and engineering services for the marine, fishing and pearling industries and specialises in propeller repairs and tuning.

The company offers a large range of marine underwater drive-line equipment and is the sole Australian importer of Mikado and Nakashima propellers up to 3 metres in diameter. Other items in the range include Duramax Marine Products featuring high quality, shaft bearings and seals, Fender Rubber as well as Keel Cooling. The company also stocks a complete range of commercial grade, quick release, and stainless steel sea strainers.

M&J Engineering & Marine Sales are particularly proud about the latest Hart Marine Pilot vessel. The ‘Mokare’ is a superb craft and features onboard equipment exclusively supplied by M& J including Mikado Skew 5 blade Propellers, Propeller Shafts & Coupling Package

Page 12 - Australian Ports News

www.austportsnews.com.au

and Stainless Steel Custom QR Sea Strainers.

M & J operates a fully equipped workshop for all hydraulic repairs and can repair all marine engineering components from rudders, fuel tanks, shafts and associated drive train components. The company can also custom design and manufacture full underwater gear packages ranging from one inch to four inch shafts and couplings to suit any gear boxes.

M&J Engineering have a Fully Equipped Propeller Repair division in which they can provide a complete Propeller Repair and Propeller Tuning service for all commercial vessels. The service is available Australiawide and incorporates the most advanced, start-of-the-art repair equipment including 3 x MRI Propeller Scanning Systems.

M & J Engineering has a full fabrication division and the team can construct vessels up to 14 metres with a 4 metre beam complete with all onboard equipment to suit a client’s specifications. This is particularly advantageous for those who earn their living in boats such as those working within the pearl and aqua culture industries.

There’s no doubt that with well-known brand names like Mikado, Nakashima and Duramax on the shelf, M&J Engineering and Marine Sales can provide the kind of client benefits that you would expect from a company that’s been proving itself under and over the water since 1969.

Albany Port Authority

Hart Marine - Home of the ORC Pilot Boat Range

By Jonathan Scott Wallis (Master Mariner)

“Dedicated to a Developing Industry�

B

Y THE late ‘80s the highly successful Victorian company Hart Marine were already acknowledged as one of Australia’s leading composite boat building yards, going into technologically advanced carbon composite boats for a list of discerning clients, with an insistence on state of the art design, incorporating the all important considerations of strength and weight.

By the early 2000s they were leaders in the latest technology and methods of boat building, expanding into other compatible directions.

At that time they made a commercial decision to prioritise their thrust toward commercial boat building, something in line with Mal Hart’s own nautical up-bringing and traditions. His father was a seafarer and harbour master, and his brother followed in his father’s footsteps and is now a pilot.

Having built a number of “high end� corporate charter boats successfully, they indeed felt easy with this new direction.

With their extensive ability and dedicated vision for a future direction, combined with a large group of repeat customers proving their hard earned reputation for delivering projects on time and on budget, they were awarded a sizeable contract to team up with French based naval architects “Pantocarene� to build pilot boats for Port Phillip Sea Pilots (PPSP).

This original commission to build an ORC 14.3 metre boat “Ranger IIIâ€? and an ORC 18.1 metre boat “Akuna IVâ€? to the stringent requirements of the Port Phillip Sea Pilots appealed greatly to Mal Hart as this kind of work ďŹ nally tied his origins and capabilities together, and these two boats were successfully launched in late June in 2010.

Subsequently they are well advanced in the construction of “Mokare�, a self-righting 16 metre pilot boat for the Albany Port Authority in Western Australia.

Hart Marine staff Designed by Pantocarene, this boat needs to be rugged for the exposed sea conditions off Albany and is in survey to carry 2 crew and 4 pilots.

She can certainly develop the required “get up and go� being engined by two QSM 11 610 hp Cummins engines, the power supplied to twin Mikado 5 blade props via close coupled gear boxes. Her 21 tonne displacement gives her stability whilst the draft of 1.42 metres gives her the ability to undertake search and rescue operations.

The wheelhouse is well thought out with comfortable seating for 6 persons and a command chair and station amidships with excellent all round vision. Olectric Systems supplied the Furuno electronics package including radar, sounder and plotter, plus Icom radios, all sited in a central consol, everything being convenient and at hand for the coxswain.

Safety equipment was supplied by RFD and

includes a 6 person RFD life raft sited to port on the aft deck.

Everything about “Mokare� bespeaks excellence and European sophistication.

Following in the wake of the two PPSP pilot boats and their successful deployments, Hart are enthusiastic about the new 16 metre “Mokare�.

Like its predecessors the pilot boat features the same “Beak Bow� which reduces pitching and the dynamic hull shape that gives the vessel the sleek appearance of a streamlined dolphin.

The wheel house is cleverly suspended in such a manner as to reduce both noise and vibration, with a resultant reduction in fatigue and stress for the pilots and crew. “Mokare� has substantial NIBS fendering around her hull, as well as cabin mounted grab rails and everything required for the safe and speedy exchange of personnel between a pilot boat and a large vessel often travelling

relatively fast in sometimes rough conditions.

The naval architects at Hart Marine have been working with Pantocarine since 2009 in an endeavour to enhance the highly successful ORC Pilot boats’ design and engineering. They have complemented the original design with additional engineering features such as the 5 bladed propellers which reduce underwater noise and cavitation, and incorporating other additional features to minimise noise, whilst using high strength underwater castings to reduce the drag of underwater appendages even further. The overall result is a striking vessel, with amazing response, economy, and manoeuvrability.

The spectacular hull was developed by Pantocarene in conjunction with the Bernard Shipyard to provide a fast and streamlined hull form with a ďŹ ne bow and wide waterline to reduce slamming, pitching and rolling, and Continued on page 14

Ph: 61 3 5975 5622 XXX IBSUNBSJOF DPN BV

marine

ORC Pilot Boat Range

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www.austportsnews.com.au

Australian Ports News - Page 13

Albany Port Authority

Rip roaring Cummins power for Sea Pilots T

WO new Cummins-powered launches commissioned by Victoria’s Port Phillip Sea Pilots in mid-2010 are exceeding expectations.

The 18.5-metre ‘Akuna IV’ is propelled by twin 19-litre Cummins QSK19 engines rated at 800 hp, while the 14.3-metre ‘Ranger III’ is powered by twin 11-litre Cummins QSM11 engines punching out 610 hp.

The Akuna IV has been the busiest vessel, its QSK19 engines having clocked up over 5,400 hours of trouble-free performance while delivering impressive average fuel consumption of 81 litres/hour per engine.

Port Phillip Sea Pilots have been using Cummins power since the early 1970s.

The move to bigger launches with 19-litre Cummins engines was made following a tragedy in 1991 when Port Phillip Sea Pilots lost a pilot and two crew in brutal seas.

The three men died after their pilot launch was swamped in ‘The Rip’ – an extremely violent body of water at the narrow entrance to Port Phillip Bay from the notorious Bass Strait.

The swamped launch was12.9 metres long and powered by twin 10-litre, 300 hp Cummins L10 diesels.

The new breed of vessel that emerged after the tragedy was 16.5 metres long and propelled by twin 19-litre Cummins KTA19 engines rated at 700 hp, giving the crew the ability to power out of trouble if the conditions turned deadly.

In 2005 the switch was made from the mechanical KTA19 to the electronic QSK19 Cummins pumping out 800 hp, resulting in a 1,600 hp pilot boat – the most powerful of its type in Australia.

The QSK19 engines powering the latest launch, Akuna IV, differ from the earlier QSK in that they feature Cummins’ latest technology fuel system which is a modular common rail design.

This fuel system incorporates a high-pressure fuel pump that generates around 1600 bar (23,500 psi) to enable cleaner, quieter and faster power delivery. The system also prevents unbalanced fuelling between cylinders to significantly reduce engine vibration, noise and harshness.

The reduced noise is a key benefit of the new QSK19s. “They’re noticeably quieter than our earlier QSK19 engines,” says Chris Richards, Port Phillip Sea Pilots’ maintenance chief who has had over 35 years with the organisation.

“Noise is an important issue these days and we’ve been really conscious of getting the noise levels down.”

The QSK19 engines have also been both more reliable and fuel efficient than the older mechanical KTA19. “The reliability of the QSK19s has been first class,” says Chris Richards.

Port Phillip Sea Pilots is an organisation steeped in tradition and is intensely proud of its record of navigating a safe passage for thousands of ships a year entering and leaving Port Phillip and Western Port bays.

Port Phillip Bay in particular is a busy sea route for ships destined for the Port of Melbourne which handles a significant amount of Australia’s container traffic.

When the sea pilots decided to Dual 800 hp QSK19 engines feature Cummins’ commission the two new launches in latest technology fuel system that enables 2010, they conducted a worldwide cleaner, quieter and faster power delivery.

Cummins’ Daniel Gallagher (left) with Port Phillip Sea Pilots’ maintenance chief Chris Richards (centre) and Mal Hart from Hart Marine.

search before selecting a design from French naval architects Pantocarene which they were convinced was the most advanced of its kind in the world.

The new composite launches would be fully self-righting, have a suspended wheelhouse for noise and vibration minimisation, and incorporate a ‘beak’ hull for exceptional comfort in head seas with very low slamming and vertical acceleration.

Hart Marine in Mornington (Victoria) was selected to build the vessels. Headed up by Mal Hart, the company has been operating since 1983 and is recognised both locally and overseas as a leader in the composite boatbuilding industry.

The Hart Marine composite construction uses vacuum bag resin infused technology which provides thermal and acoustic advantages (better insulation in the cabin), lower maintenance costs over the life cycle of the vessel compared with other materials, and a

Hart Marine - Home of the ORC Pilot Boat Range Continued from page 13

with the consequent reduction of stress for the crew and pilots.

The total configuration works with great efficiency, allowing faster transit times than a standard semi-planing hull, with no increase in vertical accelerations and minimised attraction due to the venturi effect often at play between pilot boat and the vessel being serviced.

In “Ranger III” and “Akuna IV” they surpassed expectations and met the meticulous standards set by their satisfied operators under often the most trying weather conditions Bass Strait could throw at them. Port Phillip Sea Pilots have been so happy with their first two ORC pilot boats from Hart Marine that they have recently ordered a third (16m) ORC pilot boat.

They maintain a crew of 35 staff at their purpose built facility at Yuilles Road, in Mornington’s industrial district on the “Peninsula” south of Melbourne.

They now have the ability to build vessels up to 33 metres, and whilst they have had demand for larger vessels, they are comfortable in the building of medium size vessels and usually look to build vessels in the 14 to 25 metre range.

The yard is large, clean, busy and well fitted out and versatile as a successful yard needs to be in these tenuous times.

Currently they are completing the construction of “Mokare”, as well as doing all the usual repair and maintenance traditional in a big yard.

Page 14 - Australian Ports News

They see themselves as “primarily custom boat builders working at the exotic end of the material spectrum” and they have been involved in a number of projects including the construction of naval/commercial craft in Malaysia and Singapore, and their current range of self-righting pilot boats for some of the most taxing areas of Australia.

Their staff are truly well trained and professional, being skilled in client relations and satisfaction from inception to completion.

Hart Marine has an admirable reputation for getting it “right”.

They are heavily committed to all aspects of safety and environmental issues, and they proudly boast that their commitment to excellence and safety is paramount overall.

Today they also have an enviable order book with some very interesting projects in the offing, including another ORC pilot boat for Svitzer for Chevron’s Gorgon project and a third ORC pilot boat for the Port Phillip Sea Pilots. They are always open for any enquiry as there is no job too big or small for their consideration, and no client is ever considered insignificant.

Hart Marine have certainly proved themselves to be at the cutting edge of technology with an outlook seeing a great future for this Victorian company.

For further information: Hart Marine, phone: 03 5975 5622. Address: 66 Yuilles Rd, Mornington, Victoria 3931 Australia.

Email: info@hartmarine.com.au

Above: PPSP 14m at sea.

Right: PPSP Navigation Desk.

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high standard of finish.

Cummins’ technical support was also critical during development of the pilot boats, as has been in-service back-up.

The Akuna IV has Cummins C Command Elite which features colour, touch screen instrument panels that display a wide range of data in text and graphics format to help the operators monitor and maximise vessel operation and performance.

The C Command system is fed with data from the Cummins Quantum electronics that monitor operating parameters such as fuel consumption (instantaneous and trip), duty cycle, engine load and speed, while providing diagnostics, prognostics and complete engine protection.

The Ranger III features the Cummins Smartcraft vessel interface system which again uses colour display panels that make the most of the information the Cummins Quantum electronic package has to offer.

Every Challenge.

Met.

Designed. CertiďŹ ed. In Service.

The challenge to balance the needs of the environment with the performance marine operators expect has been met by Cummins Quantum System engines.

CertiďŹ ed to IMO Tier II and U.S. EPA Tier 2 emissions standards, the QSK engine family features proven technology with improved durability and reliability, plus full-authority electronics. Today, QSK19, QSK38, QSK50 and QSK60 engines are powering tugs, pilot boats, barges, crewboats and passenger vessels across the globe.

For more information, visit our website at marine.cummins.com

www.austportsnews.com.au

Australian Ports News - Page 15

Port of Melbourne Corporation

Increasing volumes promote expansion of Port of Melbourne The Port of Melbourne - Australia’s largest container and general cargo port - is to undergo a significant expansion of capacity on the back of record trade growth and forecasts of increasing container volume.

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ITH container movements in and out of the Port of Melbourne growing in excess of six per cent every year and predicted to double over the next 10 to 12 years, the Port is to undergo a $1.6 billion re-development.

The centrepiece of the Port Capacity Project will be the construction of a new international container terminal capable of handling at least one million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) per annum.

This new terminal at Webb Dock will be built alongside other infrastructure upgrades at Swanson Dock, which currently serves the Port’s existing two international container terminals.

As well, the Project includes the consolidation of Victoria’s automotive trade at a new facility to be built at Webb Dock West, opposite the new container terminal.

Expanding Melbourne’s port capacity will create an additional 2600 jobs and enhance the economic future of Victoria by providing short to medium term container handling capacity.

Page 16 - Australian Ports News

Funded entirely by the Port of Melbourne Corporation and the private sector, the Project will provide the essential “backbone” infrastructure required by Port operators to develop and expand container capacity ahead of forecast trade growth and private sector infrastructure.

In announcing the expansion of Melbourne’s port capacity, both the Victorian Government and the Corporation highlighted the significance of the Project to the Victorian economy.

CEO of the Port of Melbourne Corporation, Mr Stephen Bradford, said: “The Port of Melbourne is a key strategic economic asset for Victoria and regular and reliable shipping services are critical for business success as Melbourne’s population continues to grow.

“This is a significant project for Victoria and for the future of the Port of Melbourne as Australia’s premier trading gateway. It delivers certainty, capacity and assurance that we will be able to meet Victoria’s trade demand for years to come,” he said.

Despite challenging economic times, www.austportsnews.com.au

Victoria’s economic activity has grown.

Increased trade with countries like China, India and other parts of Asia have helped to create record trade volumes all of which pass through the Port of Melbourne.

In 2011, container trade at the Port reached an Australian record of 2.5 million containers, an average of around 6,800 containers every day.

Flow-on benefits from this level of trade are significant for the Victorian economy, with the Port indirectly supporting more than 15,000 jobs and handling around $82 billion in exports and imports per annum.

“Even with the high Australian dollar, total container throughput for the financial year to April is up 8.7%, with imports up 9.1% and exports up 8.4%,” Mr Bradford said.

The Port of Melbourne handles more than a third of Australia’s container trade and it remains south-east Australia’s primary trade gateway with direct links to manufacturing, retail, agriculture and many other industries.

Nationally, goods come to the Port from South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania as well as from New Zealand and are sent to export markets across the globe including China, New Zealand, Japan, USA, South Korea, Taiwan and Indonesia.

The Port also handles a variety of imports from countries including the USA, New Zealand, Japan, Germany and from across Asia.

Mr Bradford said the new container terminal at Webb Dock, which operated as a container terminal between the 1970s and 1990s, would provide the opportunity for exporters and importers to receive the benefits that come from three international container terminals all competing for trade.

Through a competitive bidding process, he said the opportunity of an additional terminal in Melbourne will also open the way for the benefits of new container handling technologies and improvements in transport logistics.

Port of Melbourne Corporation

Opposite page Top: Container ship with Melbourne skyline background.

Below: Container ship entering Port of Melbourne.

This page Top: Webb Dock redevelopment concept.

Right: Webb Dock Melbourne.

The Project also addresses the critical landside linkages with new, dedicated road connections between Webb Dock and Melbourne’s M1 West Gate Freeway.

“These new roads will take Port traffic off the local roads and away from residential streets in Port Melbourne,” Mr Bradford said.

In addition to the road configuration, visual buffers and noise walls will be delivered early in the construction phase to minimise effects on local residents.

Other key works include additional screening and landscaping around the Webb Dock precinct and provision for enhanced public facilities along the eastern boundary of the Dock.

Protecting the environment will also be a key focus of the Project and a detailed Environmental Management Plan will underwrite the entire Project.

Concept designs have also been made available as part of the Port’s on-going community consultation process.

The expansion Project has an interactive consultation system on-line at the website:

www.portofmelbourne.com where on-line resources and forums enable questions to be openly asked about the Project in areas such as noise, lighting, buffers, environment, business and transport.

Subject to the necessary approvals, it is expected that the new facilities at Webb Dock will be operational during 2016.

In addition to containers, Melbourne is also Australia’s premier automotive hub for the export and import of motor vehicles.

Each year more than 350,000 motor vehicles pass through the Port.

The automotive component of the Project will see upgraded terminal facilities – with capacity to handle 600,000 vehicles per annum - and the creation of on-dock ‘Pre Delivery Inspection’ facilities. These facilities enable vehicles to be customised and fitted ready for direct delivery to dealerships.

Mr Bradford said the Project was an exciting opportunity to crystallise Victoria’s reputation as the freight and logistics capital of Australia, and as well, capitalise on future export growth opportunities.

PROJECT SNAPSHOT • A new international container terminal at Webb Dock • Opportunity to enhance capacity at Swanson Dock, the site of the two existing container terminals • New roads directly connecting Webb Dock with Melbourne’s M1 West Gate Freeway • Additional screening and landscaping around Webb Dock • Provision for onsite empty container stacking • Construction of onsite noise walls • On-going consultation program

For more information on the Port Capacity Project: www.portofmelbourne.com 1800 451 056 capacity@portofmelbourne.com

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PORT TRADE STATS • Australia’s biggest container port • About $82 billion of imports and exports per annum • 2.5 million containers handled in 2011 • Average of about 6800 containers a day • Handles more than a third of Australia’s container trade Australian Ports News - Page 17

Heavy-Duty Forklift Trucks 16-23 ton FD160-2 FD180-2 FD200-2 FD230-2 Engineered and manufactured in Japan

“Number one lowest height vehicle in this class”

Amazing power yet substantially improved manoeuvrability, comfort & safety.

The Newly Innovated Engine It’s clearing the second stage emission controls in three major industrial regions in the world (the US, Europe and Japan).

Three Speed Automatic Transmissions

Powerful Engine 125kW (170PS) / 2200 rpm (SAE Gross 172HP / 2200 rpm)

Improved Drawbar Pull and Gradeability!

Max. Drawbar Pull 119kN (12,100 kgf / 26,680 lbf) FD180-2 with load

New Integrated Instrument Panel

Gradeability at 1.6kmh (1mph) 20% (11.5˚ slope) FD180-2 with load

Improved Visibility by Pillar-less Cabin

Excellent visibility 115˚

Large Capacity Air Conditioner (optional) 4000 kcal/h

Sufficient Fuel Tank One time refuelling able to achieve longer time operation.

Tank capacity increased to 400 litres from 300.

Deluxe Multi-Functional Driver Seat with Suspension By automated speed control, you can comfortably drive the truck just the same as passenger cars.

No front or rear pillars secure wider visibility.

Front usability improved by 10 percent (compared to conventional models). No pillar cabin substantially contributes to increasing safety at cargo handling as well as when travelling (optional).

Improved Rear Visibility

A. Finger Touch Shift Lever Soft touch lever changes, achieved by magnetic valves.

Rear visibility improved by newly designed counter balance weight.

B. Easy Drive Mode Selections Interchangeable by simple switch operations between power mode (1st to 2nd to 3rd gear) and economy mode (2nd to 3rd gear).

New Electric Parking Brake Brake to be easily on by soft-touch electric switch - only 0.5kg.

Dependable Wet-Disc Parking Brake No pad adjustments substantially contribute to saving of annual maintenance costs.

C. Constant Travel Speed By a dial switch, able to get the most suitable speed you require (1st, 2nd and automatic changing speeds).

D. Combined Type Switch Lever Turn-signal with self cancelling mechanism (lighting and turn signal).

Brake Line with an Air Dryer as Standard Equipment Forward and backward sliding, up and down as well as turnable functions.

Dry pressurised air prevents malfunctioning of machines as well as freezing brake-line.

Adelaide - Melbourne - Sydney - Brisbane - Townsville Phone: 131 - NTP (687) • Web: www.ntpforklifts.com.au Page 18 - Australian Ports News

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A Breath of Fresh Air: Capturing Fumigation and other Toxic Gases in Shipping Containers – Cleaning Up Our Ports International trade goes hand in hand with effective quarantine treatment of cargoes, to stop the spread of pests and diseases from one country or continent to another. As the growth in container traffic puts more and more pressure on existing infrastructures, new technology is emerging which allows fumigation in an environmentally friendly way, and can actually improve container throughput. Health and safety of staff involved in the container supply chain can also be enhanced – and some ports and countries are leading the way.

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T IS estimated that between 2.5% to 5% of all shipping containers or their cargoes transported around the globe undergo some form of quarantine treatment or inspection.

Bottlenecks and delays often occur, as treatment and ventilation can take anything from 24 hours up to a number of days to complete.

Quarantine Requirements and Fumigation The most common cause of a quarantine treatment being required is the presence of timber products inside a shipping container.

Treatments are performed to meet a convention known as the ‘International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM 15): Wood packing, includes timber pallets, are used in a very high proportion of container shipments.

“Treatment” means either heat treatment or fumigation with an approved quarantine gas such as Methyl Bromide.

Methyl Bromide is a very effective biocide gas - highly toxic to insects – but also humans. It has been the fumigant of choice in many countries for more than 30 years. It has a cumulative effect on people exposed. It is also an extremely potent Ozone Depleting Substance. It is today banned from use internationally - except for quarantine and pre-shipment purposes, unless a special exemption is obtained under the Montreal Protocol. (This Protocol has been ratified by 189 nations and has been very effective in virtually eliminating other ODS such as CFC’s as refrigerant gases).

Much research is being done on substitutes for this gas, but it will most likely be many years before there is any alternatives in the quarantine arena. Any new gases, are also most likely to be extremely toxic, to perform their function, and would benefit from recapture. In the interim, on opposite sides of the world, authorities are beginning to act and instigate mandatory recapture of toxic gases. Belgium regulated for this in 2007, Germany in 2009 and Tasmania has had gas recapture systems in place since 2005.

The EU has since gone further, and banned its use completely for all applications.

At the port of Nelson in New Zealand an investigation was undertaken into the linkage between the deaths of a number of former port workers, from Motor Neurone Disease, in relation to their exposure to this gas at the port. Although a connection was not proven, the Environmental Court prudently imposed recapture as a condition of use in Nelson.

Then New Zealand had a major review of Methyl Bromide and in 2011 set stringent new conditions: large buffer zones surrounding fumigations, perimeter monitoring and a phasein of recapture technology.

Toxic Gases found in ordinary Shipping Containers Many of the fumigants commonly used to treat cargoes inside shipping containers – these include phosphine, hydrogen cyanide, and even chloropicrin (a nerve gas most infamously used during WW1) can leave dangerous levels of residual gases, even after a prescribed ventilation period. Gases have also been known to arise inside containers due to desorption from cargoes, wood glues and other products.

The “safe” level of exposure to any of these toxins has dropped considerably over the years, with levels even in “parts per million” causing serious health concerns.

An important aspect, is the fact that many of these gases, including the neurotoxin Methyl Bromide, are odourless and not detectable without appropriate instruments, at levels well in excess of safe standards. Regrettably there have been many instances of container inspection and unpacking staff being overcome by unknown gases, inside the confined space of a shipping container. These are not always well documented, but anecdotally surprisingly common. An insidious dimension, is the fact that many exposures may have delayed reaction times, and a cumulative effect can occur with even repeated small exposures.

International studies in Holland, Germany, USA and Australia have shown that approximately 1 in 5 import containers, contain

unsafe levels of toxic gas. This poses a big risk factor to port workers, customs and quarantine inspection officers and those who unload containers at a distribution warehouse or at the final destination.

Australia, California and The Netherlands - Leading the Way The same technology that allows fumigant recapture is also being brought to bear upon the problem of residual gases within shipping containers. Australia and The Netherlands are leaders in this cutting edge technology.

Australian Customs will not enter a shipping container without first testing for a range of gases, and using a fan-forced vacuum system to clear the container, rendering it safe for entry and unloading. The state of Victoria has brought in a safe work regulation, requiring 24 hour open-door ventilation of previously fumigated containers – even if fumigated overseas at port of origin. Safe Work Australia is conducting an investigation into worker exposure to toxic gases in shipping containers.

Workers at Californian coolrooms where fumigated produce had been stored, were diagnosed with Methyl Bromide poisoning in 2010. Government investigations led to new regulations requiring monitoring and control of gas concentrations, and Australian gas filtration technology has been employed as part of the solution to this problem.

In Australia, container monitoring and degassing equipment is increasingly being used by larger importing firms that have concern for their container unpacking workforce. In many cases, the decision to implement improved practices has arisen only after an occurrence of gas exposure.

Europe has the most stringent safety standards, and not surprisingly has a high incidence of finding containers with unsafe levels of residual gases. The Ports of Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg have developed a special protocol for dealing with this problem, and test thousands of containers each year. Other ports in Europe are progressively adopting a similar approach, leading to more widespread use of gas monitoring and ventilation equipment.

Australian, New Zealand and Canadian customs authorities are protecting their container inspection officers with this technology. In the USA, there is a history of concern, particularly because of the huge volume of container imports which are shipped across the Pacific each year, many of them fumigated to meet USDA requirements.

Customs - using equipment to extract toxic gas, allowing safe inspection.

An Action Plan What actions can those concerned about this problem take? Recommendations vary depending upon local circumstances, but at the simplest level include checking to see if a container has been fumigated – accompanying documentation should show this, and a sticker should be evident on the container doors, as per IMO regulations. (In most gassing incidents these stickers have fallen off, or may never have been applied).

Gas monitors are available, with varying levels of sophistication, and can indicate whether a container is safe to enter. Ventilation alternatives vary from simply leaving doors open for a very extended time, or the most effective and timeefficient solution – using purpose built clip-on technology, the cost of which is becoming more economical as adoption spreads.

Lastly , reporting of incidents when they have occurred allows authorities responsible for safe transportation of containers to be kept informed.

There are many, many more instances of people being affected by residual gases inside shipping containers than are reported each year, and to a large extent addressing this problem effectively first requires acknowledgement of the scale of the problem.

In the meantime, it pays to be cautious when entering any shipping container – it is very much a case of what you can’t see, can hurt you!

Fumigant Capture and Ventilation Systems ●

Fumigant recapture systems

●

Import container monitoring

●

Forced ventilation equipment

A BreathhofAir Fres Level 2, 403 Pacific Highway Artarmon, Sydney NSW 2064

Email: info@nordiko.com.au Web: www.nordiko.com.au

www.austportsnews.com.au

Tel: 02 9906 5552 Australian Ports News - Page 19

Accuweigh know-how relieves Transport Weight Stress Hyundai Construction

Weight regulations as applied to the transport sector are a concern for anyone involved in the transport of freight by road. Under the Chain of Responsibility (COR) legislation you risk prosecution whether you’re the driver, a transport company owner/ director or even remotely related to the loading, transportation or the receiving of goods if they have exceeded weight restrictions during transport.

Page 20 - Australian Ports News

C

OR legislation as well as the recently introduced Container Weight Declarations (CWD) both impact on the movement of containers and freight through and beyond Australian ports but there are solutions.

Fortunately Accuweigh, Australia’s largest industrial weighing company can provide expert advice and a range of products to ensure that any exposure in the transport industry to weight risk can be minimised. The company’s solutions cover the gamut of operations that deal with weight, from filling and packaging, on road mobile weighing applications to complete turnkey systems.

Accuweigh was established in Adelaide by founding partners Brenton Cunningham and Greg Brogan in 1992 and over the years

the th company has accumulated a wealth of experience in weight measurement and along ex the th way, the growth of the company has been extraordinary. ex At the outset, the two partners were ideally suited with complementary business, id mechanical and engineering skills and they m quickly established the largest scale company qu in South Australia. With a keen eye for opportunity, the pair recognised that across the op border in Western Australia there was a huge bo marketing potential within that state’s weighing industry and they quickly established their first branch office in Perth.

At the time Accuweigh were receiving numerous enquiries for packaging and filling equipment and this motivated a working relationship with Ross Waller who through his own company, WeighPack services, manufactured small packaging machines. In 1997 Ross became the third ideal partner. Ross provided the company with specialist expertise in design, development and implementation of packaging equipment and automated production lines.

The three directors, each with their own complementary skill set, were now ideally placed to provide a one stop shop approach to weighing and packaging and could offer their growing customer base the total package of

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solutions. Having achieved a secure business base in Western Australia, Accuweigh then acquired the Avery Scales agency for industrial products in WA, SA, NSW and Victoria which opened up new marketing opportunities for the company in the eastern states.

In 2001 Accuweigh became the exclusive agent for Salter Weightronix, which was later renamed Salter Australia Pty Ltd and this further strengthened and expanded the company’s product mix and its staff numbers to 65. Further acquisitions were made including Queensland Weighing Machines (QWM) based in Brisbane and Sydney and Budpak Packaging Systems in Newcastle. In Victoria, Conpak was also acquired to expand the packaging expertise in that region.

ACCUWEIGH SCALES PROVIDE ON ROAD ACCURACY & CONVENIENCE Accuweigh offers a diverse range of solutions designed to negate the possibility of overloading and the potential consequences due to weight regulations.

The range includes On-Board Truck Scales and Overload Warning Systems and these are ideal for mobility. They can be fitted to most trucks & trailers to ensure that wherever a load Continued on page 22

Ultrahawke quality defined by the Weight of History As we roll headlong through the new millennium, weighbridge technology has well and truly entered the digital age with many advances made in recent years to ensure far greater accuracy and industry specific mobility. However, some things do stay the same and Ultrahawke still rides on the leading edge as it always has, developing a range of weighbridges to reflect the demands of an expanding range of industries that require the best in weight assessment technology. When you consider the historical significance of the brand it’s easy to understand why that has always been the case since the last millennium.

U

LTRAHAWKE first saw the light of day way back in 1857 when Henry Binney Hawke established an iron foundry in Kapunda, which at the time was a thriving mining town in South Australia. Henry, an orphan, had arrived in Port Adelaide in 1849 on the good ship ‘William Money’ as a mere 21 year old, having made the arduous journey from his home in Cornwall, England. But Henry was a man with a mission and although initially he produced castings for the local copper mines he had much bigger plans.

By the end of his first ten years in business, H. B. Hawke & Company was already manufacturing mechanical weighbridges and supplying a growing market. Henry Binney Hawke was well and truly on his way and his company continued to prosper.

In 1884 shortly before his retirement, Henry sold his business to William Thomas and Rees Rees and by then his company was extremely prosperous, employing a workforce of over 90 skilled personnel, who designed and

The Ultrahawke brand name was created in 1983, when Eric Brabham, who had been a representative for the Hawke & Company product, purchased the weighing division and merged it with his own business, Ultra Scales, to establish UltraHawke Pty Ltd. In a strategic marketing move, to allow easier access to the east coast market, Eric based the new manufacturing facility in the Victorian suburb of Sunshine on the outskirts of Melbourne.

manufactured a range of heavy duty scales and weighing equipment.

It’s said that at the time of his passing on the evening of March 17th 1904, Henry Binney Hawke had been enjoying a game of billiards with his son at the North Kapunda Hotel and reminiscing about the voyage to South Australia with a shipmate from the good ship, William Money. (Courtesy of H.B.Hawke of Kapunda A biographical essay by Julia Segaran) Shortly after the First World War the company won a valuable five year contract to supply weighbridges for South Australian Railways. Importantly and long before the advent of the digital age, it was the accuracy of Henry’s weighing equipment that had made his company the leader in weighbridge manufacture and supply.

The new entity under Thomas and Rees and later under Horatio Rees would continue the weighbridge manufacturing tradition and in 1931 Hawke and Company produced the first Australian designed hydraulic car hoist.

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Under Eric’s astute leadership the company again took the lead with the introduction of electronic weighing components, including load cells and digital indicators. By embracing the digital revolution success soon followed as electronic componentry became accepted by the weighing industry and Ultrahawke attracted a new range of customers from across the country.

Continued on page 22

P&O Ports - Dynon Road

Australian Ports News - Page 21

Ultrahawke quality defined by the Weight of History Continued from page 21

As the final decade of the old millennium came into view Ultrahawke had achieved a steady stream of ongoing export sales and had clearly re-established its status as the premium supplier of weighbridges. As an example of the company’s strength and reach, almost every winery in the Barossa Valley and most Wheat Boards in Australia had purchased their own Ultrahawke weighbridge.

When Eric decided to retire in 2000, he passed the company on to the current owners, a company that has continued to fulfill the Hawke legacy for quality and accuracy and the Ultrahawke brand continues to soar.

Ultrahawke has moved on to bigger and better premises in Cambellfield in Melbourne’s north where its software engineers are continually utilising new technology to better cater for the weighing industry’s specific needs.

Their Driver Control Station (DCS) for unmanned weighbridge sites is regarded as the best available in Australia and the Ultrahawke range of weighing products continues to expand in response to the mobility and flexibility required. Included in the range are industrial platform scales, pallet platform scales, Digital Weight Indicators and Load cells.

Typical of the Ultrahawke approach to providing solutions was its response when selected by BP as a partner in providing Public Weighbridges for their Rampage National truck stops throughout Australia.

A series of boom gates, positional sensors, traffic light guidance and CCTV cameras are linked to Ultrahawke’s Public Weighbridge Server which connects to the store’s own terminal network.

Quad individual weighing decks also enable the gross weights of each axle group to be displayed separately to highlight any instances of axle overloading as well as the usual gross vehicle mass (GVM). Each store’s cash register terminal is linked through remote weighing operation.

Ultrahawke is still the leading manufacturer of weighbridges in Australia and in 2010, to further its international market reach, the company opened a new branch in South Africa.

I’m quite sure Henry Binney Hawke would be pleased, knowing that his pursuit of quality, accuracy and efficiency is still the main game as Ultrahawke continue that fine tradition.

For more information about Ultrahawke visit; www.ultrahawke.com.au

BP Public Weighbridges

Accuweigh know-how relieves Transport Weight Stress Continued from page 20

Onboard truck scales.

is being picked up for transport its weight can be measured. Accuweigh can supply a wide range of electronic sensors, including highly sensitive level sensors, pressure transducers and load cell based systems.

Importantly, Accuweigh is the exclusive Australian distributor for the highly acclaimed PM ONBOARD range of onboard weighing systems from the United Kingdom. The company can also supply hybrid systems to allow a mix and match of sensor technologies in a single weighing system to cater for different suspension types.

For sheer convenience it’s hard to beat Accuweigh’s digital onboard weighing systems which allow trailers to be readily interchanged.

These systems ensure that the trailer’s calibration settings are uploaded to the truck’s weighing electronics on power-up which is a huge time saver when you are on the road and facing a delivery deadline.

Accuweigh also supply a range of Wheel Weigh Pads and can supply and fit hydraulic based weighing systems to forklifts and end loaders. Radio operated scales that incorporate an accelerometer for cranes and grabbers are also available from Accuweigh for use in the logging and scrap metal industries.

manufacture custom wheel washing solutions to suit specific applications. The system has many other benefits and is worth a closer look at www.accuweigh.com.au Included in the Accuweigh range are inmotion and static Axle Scales. In-motion Axle Scales are potentially the fastest and most cost effective method of weighing high traffic volumes.

All individual axle weights are automatically captured as vehicles drive slowly over the in-motion axle scales at speeds up to 10kmh without stopping.

ACCUWASH WHEEL & TYRE WASH SYSTEM KEEPS DIRT OFF PUBLIC ROADS The AccuWash Wheel & Tyre Wash System is one of the stand-out products in the Accuweigh range. The automatic system removes ‘fugitive’ dust and mud that can adhere to truck wheels prior to exiting wharf facilities, work sites and other muddy or dust-ridden enclosures.

Accuweigh recently installed a wheel wash system at a large mining company in Port Pirie, South Australia and it is proving extremely effective in eliminating the carriage of dust and mud onto public roads.

This environmentally friendly system is completely self-cleaning and the wheel washer is fitted with a Hydrocyclone solids separator which removes grits and solids from the recycled wash water. This feature ensures better wheel washing performance while also offering extra protection for truck paintwork.

The resulting improved water quality reduces the need to replace the water stored in the system with fresh water.

Accuweigh has a full range of truck wheel and tyre washing systems and can also Page 22 - Australian Ports News

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Static Axle Scales are available at a fraction of the cost of a full length weighbridge and are used for checking of an axle group(s) weights to eliminate instances of accidental overloading.

Accuweigh has a complete range of single and multi-deck deck weighbridges from short, steel deck weighbridges designed to be easily relocated, up to large heavy duty concrete deck weighbridges suitable for weighing road trains in a single weighing transaction.

As Australia’s leading supplier of weighbridges the company can tailor a weighbridge to suit a client’s needs. Accuweigh has recently installed three Drive’n’Weigh systems at a major Australian Port to ensure all vehicles comply with legal axle weights before accessing public roads.

Accuweigh is now the largest weighing, filling, packaging and inspection equipment supplier in Australia and employs over 100 people.

It would appear that those numbers will continue to grow as Accuweigh further expands its operational reach.

Right: Atlas LP-3000 Pallet Scale.

Features very low provile design for bulky goods from all four sides, 10mm non-slip steel deck and requires minimal maintenance.

Hills Scales makes weighing on the job Portable In the transport industry when you’re hauling cargo from A to B it has to be cost effective.

That means maximising the load capacity within the allowable weight limits.

It can be a fine line and the difference between profit and loss.

However, when you’re out on the job and you need to make an ‘on the spot’ decision about the weight you’re carrying you also need a portable solution and Hills Scales have all the answers.

O

F COURSE, conforming to the demands of stringent transport weight regulations is a serious business and Hills Scales believes that all transport companies should consider using portable scales. The company is happy to discuss specific requirements and have a range of solutions that will provide peace of mind for anyone involved in the carriage of freight.

Hills Scales, located in New South Wales, is a company ideally placed to provide the right solutions with over 40 years in the weighing industry and a team of highly skilled in-house technicians who can respond promptly and efficiently. The company is an authorized dealer for a large number of major manufacturers who produce quality weighing equipment. Some of the products in the Hills Scales range include:

RW-P SERIES TRUCK SCALES This series is the ideal, portable solution when you want to check the load before departure. Platforms are made from rugged cast aluminium and the highly accurate, lightweight RW-2601P Multi-Platform Indicator can connect up to 6 platforms simultaneously and then if required to a PC or remote display. The RW-P series has a weight capacity from 1,000kg x 0.5Kg to 15000kg x 10kg and it’s water resistant. It can be used to measure by-wheel weight or total weight with advanced digital filtering to minimize vibration. Incorporating a built in charger and batteries, LCD display and a high speed, dot matrix, receipt printer the RW-P Series is extremely portable.

COMPULOAD LOAD MANAGER This is a clever on board weighing system for trucks with an LED display which provides the weight of the current load on all individual axles. The Load Manager can also provide the payload per truck/trailer and the GWT per truck/trailer. An alarm will sound if the GWT is exceeded or if there’s an overload on an individual axle. The team at Hills Scales can verify whether your truck can be fitted with the Load Manager.

ATLAS LP 3000 PALLET SCALE This is a strong and robust weighing platform with a capacity up to 10,000kg which allows access for bulk goods from all sides. There’s an extensive range of indicators available including digital as well as counting facilities if required. Optional extras include loading ramps. The LP3000 is competitively priced and requires minimal maintenance.

Hills Scales stock an extraordinary range of weighing devices to suit any budget or purpose, from 0.1mg High Precision Balances to 50,000kg Heavy Duty Truck Scales. The Hills Scale’s team can also provide expert advice with sales and service available throughout Australia. For more information visit; www.hillscales.com.au

Above: Caston - II. Features easy to read LED display, rechargeable battery pack with on/off/zero/ tare and hold functions.

Crane Scales Portable Truck Scales Warehouse Scales

Weigh Ahead

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Australian Ports News - Page 23

Nederman is one of the leading providers of dust and fume extraction systems in the world and is also a major player in the Australian market.

A complete solution for dust and fumes

T

HE SWEDISH company has been in operation since 1944 when it was founded

by Phillip Nederman. It’s products have been available in Australia for the last 30 years and have steadily gained the trust of all sectors of industry in that time.

By 2006, the company’s market share had increased to the extent that it established a full subsidiary In Australia to better serve its growing list of customers. Nederman is headquartered in Melbourne and has a distributor network in place, covering most of the country.

Nederman acquired the Danish firm Dantherm Filtration in 2010, thus becoming the world leader in industrial filtration. Nederman Australian operations manager Conor Dunlevy said the acquisition had added Dantherm’s expertise and its portfolio of very large dust collectors to the company’s product line-up.

He said that Nederman was now able to offer anything from a small portable vacuum cleaner to filtration systems able to process air volumes ranging from 1000-500,000m3/hr and even larger, with the installation of multiple units.

The head office provides full engineering, technical support and advice to both prospective and existing customers. The Australian operation is backed-up in turn by Nederman’s global expertise and a network of manufacturing plants located across the world which provides not only commonly stocked items but also builds custom-designed systems to order.

Mr Dunlevy said that the company lived by its mission statement that “With a unique knowledge base in applications, products and systems — we contribute to efficient production, environmental benefits and safer workplaces” and that Nederman had the vision to be the global leader of competence in solutions for eco-efficient production.

The company specialises in the extraction of all types of fumes and dust from industrial workplaces, such as at port and materials handling installations. Mr Dunlevy said that the extraction of fumes and dust from workplaces was a very vital function but one whose importance was commonly underestimated.

He said that ensuring the health and safety of the workforce was the main reason for this but that there were a number of other ones as well.

Airborne hazards in the workplace include dust and fumes of various descriptions (including smoke) and he said that these can cause workers to suffer from serious respiratory ailments which can, in some cases, be fatal in the long-term.

The second major threat posed by dust is that many types of dust can be explosive,

with the result that workers can be injured and plant destroyed. The list of the types of dust that can explode spontaneously is a long one and contains unexpected items such as aluminium, milk powder, fishmeal and, especially, corn and sugar.

A recent report by Safe Work Australia revealed that 39% of Australian workers are exposed to airborne hazards in their workplaces and that a shocking 23% of those reported that no attempt was being made to control the hazard. The report listed the occupations where workers were most likely to be exposed to dust and fumes and in the secondhighest category were storage and transport workers.

From this, it is clear both that workers in port and materials handling environments are atrisk and that responsible employers should do everything that they can minimise the risks to the health and safety of their staff and to their productive capacity, which could be lost or badly damaged in a potentially devastating

Nederman Products SiloSafe 24 Mr Dunlevy said that one of the activities likely to raise the most dust was when filling silos, which was most often done by gravity feed from the top of the silo. The concentrations of dust within the silo are often extremely high and not only a risk to workers’ health, but also a potential trigger for an explosion.

To solve this problem, Nederman developed their heavy duty 4mm hot dipped galvanised SiloSafe 24 product which is most suitable for venting pneumatically-filled silos or bins.

The units come with and without integral fans and incorporate the company’s patented UniClean cartridge filter.

MJB and MJC cartridge dust collectors Nederman’s MJB and MJC cartridge dust collectors are the flagships of their product range for collecting light to heavy volumes of dust in a wide variety of applications.

Cartridge units incorporate UniClean filter cartridges, are ruggedly built and conform to the ATEX standard. They are installed with an appropriate fan and ducting, depending on the requirements of the particular site.

The MJC units are typically built to handle air flows up to 65,000 m3/hr while the Page 24 - Australian Ports News

dust explosion.

Another important factor motivating business to capture dust in handling and manufacturing environments is that it is abrasive and can dramatically short the life of machinery and plant.

Keeping the work environment clean and dust-free can go a long way to reducing operating costs by delaying the need to replace capital equipment.

Bulk materials are often stored in bins or silos and transported by conveyor which raises dust but Nederman has the expertise and products to provide complete solutions for any facility with a dust problem, be it in a port handling facility or manufacturing plant.

ATEX standard Nederman takes the threat of explosion very seriously and many of its products are compliant with the European ATEX standard for equipment for use in potentially explosive environments.

The ATEX standard is regarded as the most comprehensive in the world and ensures that the compliant Nederman products are safe to use and that, if an explosion should occur, it is vented in a safe manner. the company offered a range of extraction systems including ceiling-mounted and inground systems which could quickly be connected to an idling vehicle’s exhaust.

There is a model which can automatically connect to a vehicle’s stack when it reverses into a parking or unloading bay and others which can be used by one or more moving vehicles in a reverse-in or drivethrough mode.

MJB collectors handle typical airflow volumes of 190,000m3/hr at 80°C. Vacuum systems Product spillage and processes such as welding or cutting and grinding can generate dust and fumes in the workplace which need to be addressed.

Nederman supplies a range of vacuum systems including high vacuum ducted systems which can not only be used to clean product spillages quickly and easily but which can also be located on-tool or on-torch to capture welding fumes or the dust and debris created by the operation of cutting and grinding tools. These systems will typically be equipped with valves which switch the centrally-located vacuum unit on and off as required.

Nederman also supplies a large range of portable industrial vacuum cleaners including a

number of models which are ATEX-approved.

They include a model designed for the collection of flammable liquids and which is particularly suited for stripping cargo tanks and deep well sumps aboard ships.

There are a wide variety of other models for dry, wet and wet and dry applications.

These include a model specifically designed to recover blasting grit.

Other products Nederman also offers a range of other products including hoses, ducting, extraction hoods, downdraft tables, reels, fans, control equipment, oil mist and coolant filters, heat exchangers, lubrication and sandblasting equipment and workplace ergonomic items, such as hose and tool balancers and welding curtains and screens.

Exhaust capture Another range Nederman products of interest to the port and materials handling sector are their solutions for capturing the emissions from vehicle exhausts. Mr Dunlevy explained that one source of fumes which can cause harm in the workplace are vehicles, especially when these are run indoors in warehouses and loading bays.

He said that emission levels could build up very rapidly in confined spaces and that

A complete solution Mr Dunlevy said that Nederman offers a complete turnkey dust and fume extraction solution. He said that clients would approach the company with their requirements and that Nederman would undertake a site survey, assess the situation and make a formal offer of a best solution.

Once the offer is accepted, the company moves into the full design phase, manufacture, installation and commissioning.

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• • • • • • •

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Ă?ĂŒĂŠÂšÂťĂŒĂ Ă‡Ă† Ă‘Ă‹ĂŒÂ˝Ă…Ă‹ QUEENSLAND Fume and Dust Control (07) 3388 1131 www.fumeanddust.com.au

WESTERN AUSTRALIA Systemaire (08) 9209 4999 www.systemaire.com.au

SOUTH AUSTRALIA Complete Enviro Controls (08) 8294 0300 www.completeenviro.com.au

NSW - NEWCASTLE Austedan Fabrications (02) 4953 7112 www.austedan.com.au

VICTORIA Nederman Head Office

NSW - SYDNEY Airtight Solutions 1800 424 784 www.airtight.com.au

NEDERMAN PTY LTD 13, 17-23 Keppel Drive Hallam VIC 3803

(03) 9702 3233

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Australian Ports News - Page 25

Port Hedland Port Authority

Expansion at Port Hedland Port Authority

RISING TO THE

Above: Finucane Island berths (front) with Utah Facility and Stockpile (rear).

Below: Inner Harbour – Eastern and Western side.

Challenge Port Hedland – a port on the move The Port of Port Hedland is currently the world’s largest bulk export port and will continue to grow rapidly to meet burgeoning demand for port services.

Page 26 - Australian Ports News

T

HE PORT HEDLAND PORT AUTHORITY (PHPA) celebrated its fortieth anniversary in 2011 by almost doubling the 2005 trade milestone, finishing marginally below the 200 million tonne milestone for the 2010/11 financial year with a total throughput of 199,002 million tonnes.

Depending on the timing of developments proposed within this Plan, the Port’s tonnage is expected to exceed 440 million tonnes by 2015/16.

A variety of methods are employed to plan for future Port development and throughput.

Internal forecasting and projections from proponents combined with international forecasting service subscriptions, industry project collaboration, monitoring of media reports and stakeholder consultation are all used to determine projected resource production and export and import levels.

It is through these methods that the Port Authority predicts a prolonged period of future growth driven by continuing strong demand for commodities (particularly from China) to retain its title of the world’s largest bulk export port by tonnage.

General cargo handling across three PHPA berths has also increased commensurate with the development of iron ore mining and related industries.

It is anticipated that the existing berths will reach their maximum operating capacity within two years as a result of forecasted increase in general cargo trade to support the resources industry.

The PHPA is exploring opportunities to expand its berthing facilities to include a logistics and supply base located at Lumsden Point and is evaluating construction timing of new South West Creek berths to cater for long term growth in the cargo handling trade.

BHP Billiton Iron Ore (BHPB) is fast tracking approved expansion projects with a view to increasing export tonnage to 350Mtpa in the coming years.

BHPB will commission two new berths at Nelson Point (Berths C and D) within the Inner Harbour and install a fifth rail car dumper at its Finucane Island facility to service its increased mining activity.

Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) is also increasing its production, with its annual export tonnage expected to reach 120Mtpa by 2013. It is expected that FMG’s AP3 Berth at Anderson Point will be operational in 2012 and AP4 Berth operational by 2013.

Aspiring miners Roy Hill Infrastructure (RHI) and North West Infrastructure (NWI) also have ambitious plans to commence exports in late 2014 and early 2015 respectively.

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While iron ore remains the main export product at 97% of total export trade, Port development plans have been carefully constructed to ensure capacity accommodates imminent demands on port services made by producers of other bulk commodities.

Fuel oil represents more than 78% of total imports given its use in rail transportation, electricity generation and direct mining operations. Commissioning of Utah Point Multi-User Bulk Export Facility (Utah Point) in late 2010 has greatly contributed to increased export volumes.

Presently, based on short and long term capacity allocations, Stockyard 1 at the Utah Facility is operating considerably above its design capacity of 9Mtpa with an anticipated throughput this financial year of approximately 12Mtpa.

Whilst the potential capacity of Utah Point is restricted by limited channel access and ship movements, its unique stacker/reclaimer operation and addition of a second stockyard, will contribute to a growth in capacity nearing 19 Mtpa.

Vessel movements at the port reached 2,948 in 2010/11, equating to 1,474 vessels for the year. Vessel movements are expected to more than double to 6,100 movements (3,050 vessels) per annum by 2015/16 as a result of expansion projects being undertaken by existing proponents and junior miners establishing their operations within the Pilbara region.

Port Hedland Port Authority

Utah Point Multi-User Bulk Export Facility The Utah Point Multi-User Bulk Export Facility (Utah Point) addresses the resource industry’s need for expanded Port facilities to meet current and future growth in global demand for Western Australian mineral resources and enables emerging mineral producers to export their products to global mineral markets.

Construction of this new multi-user bulk export facility located on the west side of the harbour, at Utah Point’s narrow neck of the harbour between Harriet Point and Finucane Island berths was completed in late 2010.

The facility consists of a dredged berth pocket and a 270 metre long concrete wharf, a travelling ship loader, a 24 hectare stockyard and an associated materials handling infrastructure, administration and controls facility, and a 10 kilometre dedicated access road.

A number of sustainable technology initiatives have been adopted to address the complexities that are often associated with constructing a Port facility that is designed to transport, store and export a multitude of minerals. These complexities have the potential to have adverse environmental and community impacts.

Innovations include a 45,000m3 water recirculation and stormwater harvesting system, bentonite geosynthetic lined stockyard floor with plastic reinforced seawall embankments, quad road-train wash facilities and a commitment to a mangrove propagation farm.

Utah Point had an initial approved capacity of 9Mtpa and has undergone further design modifications to allow for expansion to accommodate export volumes of approximately 19Mtpa. To reach this capacity, Utah Point utilises an innovative new automatic mooring system to berth larger vessels and a materials handling system peak loading rate of up to 7,500 tonnes per hour.

The first shipment of ore was achieved within four years (from commencement of planning) on 17 September 2010. By the end of June 2011 Utah Point exceeded the previous year’s export tonnage by 360%, achieving the facility’s nameplate capacity of 9Mtpa with an estimated total export value of AU$1.5 billion.

The Utah Facility has also been recognised for its innovative and environmentally sensitive design by taking out a number of awards in 2011; including the National and WA Engineering Excellence Awards as well as the WA Golden Gecko Environmental Award and the Lloyds List Environmental Transport Award.

Above: South West Creek.

Land Corp’s vision for the Wedgefield light industrial area to become an international freight hub closely linked to the nearby international airport.

EXPANDING TO MEET FUTURE DEMAND Lumsden Facility To address growth in general cargo and containerised trade, the emergence of new Port services and to overcome the imminent saturation of public berths PHPA 1, 2 and 3, planning is underway to develop additional berthing infrastructure at the proposed Lumsden Facility.

Located in close proximity to the deep water dredged harbour basin, the Lumsden Facility will capitalise on the 140 hectares of land reclaimed and the Great Northern Highway realignment to the areas southern boundary following BHPB dredging of Burgess Point in 2010.

Lumsden Facility is located to the north of Wedgefield Light Industrial Estate and is ideally suited to future general cargo trade as well as accommodating future Port support trades and services. First stage development will complement PHPA Berth No’s. 1, 2 and 3 and provide berths capable of handling handimax vessels for ammonium nitrate, cement, service vessels and general cargo shipping industries.

The Lumsden Facility development align closely with the Town of Port Hedland and

Outer Harbour development The PHPA conceived the concept of a multi-user Outer Harbour located to the north of Finucane Island in response to industry demand to load greater volumes of iron ore within the Inner Harbour.

Accommodating a bold vision for improved Port accessibility and developing a multi-user Outer Harbour will allow the PHPA to make best use of landholdings between Boodarie Industrial Estate to grow Port capacity in line with long term industry growth expectations.

Preliminary Outer Harbour design concepts are based on the PHPA’s ability to deliver a minimum throughput capacity of 400Mtpa of iron ore over and above the Inner Harbour’s modelled capacity of 495Mtpa. Introducing a second channel within the Outer Harbour to accommodate larger ships is the most likely solution to achieving this increased capacity.

BHPB has been identified as the initial proponent for the Outer Harbour. Significant independent surveys and studies for the Outer Harbour development have been undertaken and include geophysical, geotechnical,

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bathymetry, hydrological, current/tide/wave modelling, seabed coral/sea grass, biological (fauna and flora), spoil disposal, heritage and environmental impact assessments to assist PHPA and proponents in developing first stage design concepts.

In late January 2012, the BHPB Outer Harbour development gained conditional backing of regulators after the State Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommended approval, subject to a two week public appeal process. After this announcement, BHPB committed AU$735.98 million dollars of funding towards feasibility studies and procurement of long lead time items, taking its total investment in the project to AU$866.36 million.

BHPB has also significantly progressed Outer Harbour infrastructure planning and has set out proposed areas to facilitate its on and offshore infrastructure development.

The WA State Government has amended BHPB’s State Agreements to provide BHPB tenure certainty for its Outer Harbour development. BHPB is currently working towards a construction start date of 20113/14.

Below left: Nelson Point (front) with Anderson Point berths (rear).

Below right: Stockpile One at Utah Facility.

Australian Ports News - Page 27

Works begin on Esperance Port Access Corridor

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP Minister for Infrastructure and Transport

Groundbreaking at the Esperance Port Access Corridor.

Given the proposal’s complexity and the amount investment that ultimately would be required, we are determined to do our homework and to getting the planning right from the very outset.

R

ECENTLY I joined WA Transport Minister Troy Buswell onsite in Esperance to turn the first sod of a $120 million project which will improve access to its rapidly expanding port as well as announce Federal funding to advance the ambitious PortLink proposal to the next stage.

The Esperance Port Access Corridor project will untangle the road and rail connections to the Port by realigning Harbour Road and replacing two existing level crossings with overpasses.

Once completed in late 2013, this work will improve the movement of goods and freight into and out of the Port as well as make it easier for locals to get around their town, particularly when trains are passing through.

With one of the deepest harbours in southern Australia, Esperance Port is critical to the national economy. Each year more than 200 ships pass through it carrying over 11 million tonnes of nickel, iron ore and grain exports as well as imports of fuel and fertilisers – volumes which are only expected to grow in the years ahead.

The project is being delivered by John Holland Pty Ltd with funding from both the Federal Labor Government ($60 million) and the WA Government ($60 million).

As well as addressing Australia’s more immediate infrastructure needs, Federal Labor is also planning for the nation’s future, not just for the next three years but for the next three decades.

That’s why we’ve agreed to allocate $2 million to the PortLink Inland Freight Corridor Plan, a long-talked about proposal with the potential to transform the region and open up access to the vast wealth which lies beneath the ground across this remote part of the country.

If given the final go ahead, the project would establish Kalgoorlie as a hub linking together the ports of Port Hedland, Freemantle, Esperance, Geraldton and the proposed Oakajee facility – see attached map.

The funding I’m announcing today will go towards the planning and scoping study which will assess the possible road and rail alignment options, undertake the necessary economic and financial modelling as well as determine the operational and technical feasibility of an intermodal facility.

Page 28 - Australian Ports News

All up the Gillard Labor Government is investing $3.7 billion over six years into WA’s road and rail infrastructure, almost double what the Howard Government spent over a similar period of time.

NTP Forklifts supplies Royal Australian Navy with Heavy Lift Telescopic Handlers

MHT10160 at HMAS Kuttabul

N

TP Forklifts Australia has recently delivered three MHT10160 heavy lift telehandlers to RAN, providing a dock based, ship to shore materials handling capability.

Traditionally the navy has used a combination of large ship to shore and mobile slewing cranes for handling heavy materials, containers or palletized loads onto a ships deck. This system is not time efficient when handling lower quantities of supplies due to set up and pull down times involved when utilizing cranes, and once set up, the crane does not have the ability to travel to the load storage area – therefore the load must be taken to the crane prior to transferring to the ship, therefore, utilizing additional MHE and personnel.

Due to the inconvenience factor of utilizing cranes for handling lower volume loads, it was quite common for sailors to line up along the gang plank and manually transfer the load to the ship – not unlike the method adopted by Captain Cook over 200 years ago!

The idea of utilizing a heavy lift telehandler for this purpose was spawned

by Mr Greg Goodieson, himself a RAN Veteran. Whilst on deployment in East Timor, Mr Goodieson saw a smaller Manitou Telehandler loading barges and smaller ships – Mr Goodieson noted how efficiently these vessels were being loaded. This was the beginning of a 10 year campaign for Mr Goodieson to introduce this efficiency and concept into the RAN, ‘This new found capability will enable our ships to be loaded in a far more time / personnel effective manner – this capability

has the potential to revolutionalize materials handling within RAN’ Mr Goodieson said.

Due to the large variety of goods being handled, NTP Forklifts Australia supplied 2 different carriages with integral sideshift, fork positioner and varying fork tyne lengths. The attachments are interchangeable and can be swapped over in under 3 minutes by a single operator with out any tooling requirement.

The larger carriage is 2,400mm wide and is fitted with 2,500mm fork tynes for handling ISO containers, tricons and larger loads – providing a residual lift capacity of 10,000kg at 1200mm load centres and maximum forward reach of 6.1 metres. The smaller attachment is 1,700mm wide and fitted with

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1,200mm long forks for handling palletized and smaller loads and provides a residual lift capacity of 16,000kg at 600mm load centres.

The Manitou MHT 10610 is powered by a Mercedes Benz turbo diesel engine that delivers 170 HP. The units were also supplied with a tyre inflation system, black out lighting and tie down/sling points.

NTP Forklifts Australia has been providing a wide array of materials handling solutions to the Department of Defence for many years For more information on this latest delivery please contact Dion Smith, NTP Forklifts Australia, email: dsmith@ntpforklifts.com.au