Australian Ports News - April 2013

See our Editorial and Advertisement on Pages 8 and 9

See our Editorial and Advertisement on Pages 4 and 5

March/

BP Invests $50 Million in Queensland’s North Special Feature Pages14-17

Ship Loading - Unloading Equipment including Crane Loading Feature See Pages 10-20

Above: (l-r) Mike McGuinness, Head of Sales and Marketing - BP Australia; Paul Smith, Deputy Director-General Infrastructure Management and Delivery Division, Department of Transport and Main Roads; David Crisafulli, Minister for Local Government - Queensland; Mike Bailey, National Bitumen Manager - BP Australia; and Bruce Woodward, National Bitumen Operations Manager - BP Australia

The Asia-Pacific Oil Spill and Preparedness Conference, Spillcon 2013, will take place in Cairns from 8-12 April Registrations to attend still open For more information about Spillcon 2013 visit www.spillcon.com

International Shipping Returns to Bell Bay welcome the recent announcement that Bell Bay will once again have a direct international shipping service to Asia.

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The agreement between Bell Bay Aluminium and Swire Shipping Australia for the commencement of a monthly shipping service gives Bell Bay access to vital Asian markets, including Singapore.

This is the first step towards a longer term solution and it’s an important vote of confidence by both companies in the future of manufacturing in the Bell Bay region.

Australia is an island continent and shipping carries 99 per cent of Australia’s trade by volume making it the fourth largest shipping task in the world.

Manufacturing communities all around Australia understand the importance of shipping; without shipping Australia can’t get its resources, products or produce to the global markets.

Australia must be an active player in the international shipping industry.

That is why the Government undertook its world leading shipping reforms in July last year. Under the Federal Government’s plan, Australian shipping has a zero tax rate, various fiscal incentives and internationally competitive employment conditions.

Without these reforms Australia risks becoming nothing more than the customer of others.

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Mr Holden today informed the Corporation’s Board of his decision. His departure from the organisation will take effect from 30 April 2013.

Ranee Crosby, the current General Manager Commercial, will act in the chief executive role while the recruitment process takes place.

Port of Townsville Limited Chairman Ross Dunning AC said Mr Holden had made an outstanding contribution to both port and region during his 11-year tenure.

“On behalf of all at Port of Townsville Limited I would like to thank Barry for his dedication and express our collective appreciation for the accomplishments that he has achieved over his years of impressive service,” Mr Dunning said.

“Barry’s leadership drove a number of major reforms to the Corporation, not least of which has been delivery of the organisation’s largest ever-program of capital investment to underwrite the economic future of North Queensland.”

In announcing his decision, Mr Holden said that the Corporation looked to a bright future, adding that the time was right to hand over to a new CEO.

For all editorial and general enquiries Phone: (07) 5478 9432

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport

The Federal Labor Government has set out to create an environment that encourages investment and Australia’s involvement in international shipping. Putting in place a sustainable shipping model will allow Australia to compete on a level playing field against the rest of the world.

“Being CEO is a relay, not a marathon,” Mr Holden said.

“I am proud of the management team and employees for the way they have embraced the challenges and opportunities we have encountered over the years.

“The Port of Townsville is in its strongestever position, and I believe is ideally placed to grasp the significant opportunities that lie ahead.”

Mr Dunning said the Corporation’s focus moving forward would be doing what it does best – getting cargo in and out of north and northwest Queensland.

“Our succession planning processes ensure we can get on with the job at hand and continue to deliver excellence for customers and drive growth, jobs, and investment in the region,” he said.

“Ms Crosby has ably acted as chief executive on a number of occasions in the past and I have all confidence she will continue to do so as recruitment for a new Chief Executive Officer is undertaken.”

Mr Holden was appointed CEO of the Corporation in March 2002 following a number of years managing Adsteam’s towage operations in Western Australia.

He had previously worked for the Corporation for 23 years from 1974.

EWCASTLE Port Corporation took a comprehensive stakeholder consultation program during February and March to obtain feedback on a Draft Strategic Development Plan for the Port of Newcastle that will communicate how the port will grow over the next 30 years.

CEO, Gary Webb, said the Corporation engaged the local community, business organisations and port customers on the draft plan.

“The Port of Newcastle handled more than 140 million tonnes of trade in 2012 with throughput valued at more than $20 billion. Newcastle Port Corporation is committed to growing trade and improving productivity and efficiency in the port, and in the supply chains that support the port,” said Gary.

“Managing continued growth in trade will require careful planning; the Strategic Development Plan will guide how the port will grow and develop over time.”

The Draft Strategic Development Plan was launched on 13 February with a dedicated website, www.newcastleportplan.com.au.

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Stakeholder Consultation to Help Guide Port Expansion in Next 30 Years

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Future Bright: Prediction from Parting Port Chief ORT of Townsville Limited CEO Barry Holden has announced he will not seek an extension of his contract as chief executive of the ports of Townsville and Lucinda.

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Editorial Contributions 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.

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In this issue: • Ports News

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It’s a Hat Trick aofr Flinders Logistics PHPA does it again - setting new record for over a million tonnes on a tide Page 3 Hart Marine conduct trials on state-of-the-art Fast Pilot Boat Pages 4-6 Ports News Tasports Responds to Changing Markets Page 7 Omnitronics - Maritime Rasio Systems for a Safer Harbour Pages 8-9 Fairbrother Transforms Antarctic Gateway Pages 10-11 Spillcon 2013 Conference Pages 12-13 BP invest $50 million in Queensland’s North Pages 14-17 An efficient grain terminal experience driven by passion Pages 18-19 Ports News Green Light for Port of Melbourne Capacity Project Page 20 Lifting to new heights with the Vulcan C90 empty container handler Page 21 Ports News Page 22 News from AMSA Page 23 Ports News Page 24

It’s a Hat Trick for Flinders Logistics

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NE of South Australia’s most innovative logistics businesses, Flinders Logistics, has landed another award for business excellence - the firm’s third in less than 18 months.

The Lloyd’s List Environmental Transport Award was given in recognition of Flinders Logistics Enclosed Bulk System. Flinders Logistics General Manager Mr Andrew Pellizzari travelled to Sydney at the end of 2012 to receive the company’s latest accolade.

PHPA does it again – setting new record for over a million tonnes on a tide

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HE Port Hedland Port Authority has started the year with a new tonnage record for the largest departure of iron ore on a single tide.

The new record of 1,059,740 tonnes was set on Tuesday 15 January 2013 and beat the previous record set in June 2012 by more than 19,000 tonnes.

without the precise execution by the whole operations team.

It was also the first time six cape-sized vessels sailed on a single tide to achieve the milestone.

Deputy Harbour Master Leon Strydom said the new record could not have been achieved

“This achievement is yet another milestone in the port and is certain to repeat itself through the determination of all port users, to promote our vision to be the world’s leading port, helping to create a sustainable region,” he said.

Above: From l-r Andrew Pellizzari, General Manager, Flinders Logistics; Tim Asome, Australian General Manager, ASP Ship Management and Alex Sismanis, ANL (Photo courtesy of Lloyds List Australia) “We are delighted to have achieved the Highly Commended status in this award category. At Flinders Logistics, we are proud of our green credentials. Our Enclosed Bulk System has become the benchmark for the sector,” said Andrew Pellizzari, General Manager of Flinders Logistics.

The DF-Misting System, unique to Flinders Logistics, is an integral part of the Enclosed Bulk System.

The environmental award acknowledges the improvements Flinders

Logistics has made. In particular, the DF Misting System is capable of generating more mist to control dust, whilst using only one third of the water previously required.

In 2011, Flinders Logistics won Lloyds List’s Supply Chain and Integration Award and was a finalist in the Transport & Logistics Industry Excellence Award in Technology from the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CICTA).

Photo courtesy of Port Hedland Port Authority

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• Beach Protection Surveys • Boat Ramp Inspection and Investigation Surveys • General Mapping of the Sea Floor • Offshore Positioning • Post-Dredge Surveys • River and Estuary Surveys • River X-Sections • Shoal Investigations • Siltation Monitoring • Vessel Charter • Vessel Tracking

www.aquamap.com.au Australian Ports News - Page 3

Port Phillip Sea Pilots Feature

Hart Marine conduct trials on state-of-the-art Fast Pilot Boat

Bellarine Fast Facts A Pantocarene-designed ORC 156.HR5 Fast Pilot Craft Fully compliant with the AMSA M054/5 standard Seating for 6 persons Powered by twin 600hp Cummins QSM II diesel motors Power delivered to two Mikado 750mm propellers through remotemount MGX5135A gear boxes Top speed of 29 knots – cruising speed of 25 knots

MELBOURNE-BASED Hart Marine will complete the construction and sea trials of a state-of-the-art pilot boat for Port Phillip Sea Pilots early in April 2013.

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AMED THE Bellarine, the vessel is a 16m ORC 156.HR5 fast pilot boat and is, according to Hart Marine MD Mal Hart, probably the most advanced of its kind available in the world today. She is Port Phillip Sea Pilots’ third ORC vessel built for them by Hart Marine to a design which is a collaboration between Harts and French naval architects Pantocarene.

Port Phillip Sea Pilots has been providing pilots for shipping in Port Phillip Bay and Westernport Bay since 1839 and its pilots frequently encounter severe sea conditions in the Bass Strait, particularly in the often violent rip at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. The bay is a busy sea route for ships mainly destined for the Port of Melbourne which handles a significant percentage of Australia’s container traffic. The vital nature of the ship traffic means that pilots must be prepared to work under any and all conditions, 365 days a year.

It was because of the dangerous conditions they often face that, after a worldwide search, the PPSP chose the ORC design as the safest and most effective to replace their existing fleet. Mr Hart said his company had been chosen to build the 14.3m Ranger III and the 18.1m Akuna IV and had delivered them in mid-2010.

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Mr Hart said that the vessels had exceeded PPSP’s expectations with Akuna IV, in particular, delivering thousands of hours of trouble-free service to the extent that the organisation had no hesitation in awarding Hart Marine the contract build a further vessel, the 16m Bellarine, in 2012.

So effective had the initial design proved to be in the extreme conditions encountered

by PPSP that Bellarine was built to almost exactly the same design.

The build was completed to the client’s stringent specifications in about 8 months and is fully compliant with the AMSA M054/5 standard, which is the requirement for new pilot boats in Australia from 2013.

One new safety refinement which has been incorporated in Bellarine is the addition of a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera.

This technology is able to detect the heat given off by human beings and will make it much easier to find and recover any personnel who may be swept overboard.

Before being handed over to her new owners, Bellarine will be through an intense seven-day sea trial to test maximum, cruising and transfer speeds and to certify fuel consumption. In addition, the vessel’s compasses were swung and she was subjected to a crash stop and steering test.

One of the most important tests was to check her stability curve to ensure that she will self-right if that is ever required. The sea trials will be conducted by an expert team from Hart Marine and representatives of PPSP, including the coxswains who will actually be responsible for operating the vessel.

Bellarine will be handed over to her new owners at a ceremony on 18 April 2013.

Characteristics Bellarine is a Pantocarene-designed ORC 156.HR5 Fast Pilot Craft and one of the most advanced in the world, with exceptional levels of usability and safety even in the most extreme conditions. She is surveyed to carry a crew of two and four pilots and is fully self-righting in the event she ever capsizes.

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, echo sounder and plotter and Icom radios – all sited in a central console with everything being convenient and at hand for the coxswain.

The vessel has substantial Ocean 3 fendering around her hull, as well as cabinmounted grab rails and everything required for the safe and speedy exchange of personnel between the boat and a large vessel, often travelling relatively fast in sometimes rough conditions.

Safety equipment was supplied by RFD and includes a 6 person RFD life raft sited to port on the aft deck.

The vessel is powered by twin 600hp Cummins QSM II diesel motors delivering power to two Mikado 750mm propellers through remote-mount MGX5135A gear boxes. These will give Bellarine a top speed of 29 knots, a cruising speed of 25 knots and more than ample power to tackle any conditions she will meet.

The wheelhouse is fitted with a Cummins C Command Elite engine monitoring and management system which features colour touch-screen instrument panels that display a wide range of data in text and graphics formats to help the operators monitor and maximise vessel operation and performance.

The ORC craft offer a particularly stable platform and, integral to this, is the unique hull design which has oversized rudders and wide trim-tabs that deliver outstanding manoeuvrability and sea-keeping characteristics. The hulls are light but superstrong and made from resin-infused E-glass with carbon fibre frames.

The design fundamental making the ORC craft unique are their wave-piercing beak hulls which evolved from years of tank testing and sea trials by Pantocarene and combine the characteristics of planing and semi-planing hulls. Vertical acceleration is reduced when compared to typical semiplaning hulls, with the best results being obtained at high speed.

In following seas, the beak hulls behave better than traditional planing or semi-

Port Phillip Sea Pilots Feature

Hart Marine conduct trials on state-of-the-art Pilot Boat construction and the fact that wheelhouse is resilient-mounted means that crew and pilots are protected from noise and vibration to a large extent and are therefore far less prone to stress and fatigue. The craft are ďŹ tted with twin 750mm ďŹ ve-blade propellers which have the effect of reducing cavitation and noise.

Company proďŹ le

The vessel is powered by twin 600hp Cummins QSM II diesel motors.

planing hulls. The feature imparts inherent roll damping and the vessel slows only moderately as its beak bow pierces the next wave.

The ORC hull’s efďŹ ciency is better than other hulls of similar displacement and fundamental to this is the power/weight ratio inherent in the structural design.

Stiffeners are individually calculated on a longitudinal structure system that has a mean frame spacing of just 900mm. The result combines reduced hull weight with maximised strength.

The hull incorporates a low sailing trim which delivers high stability at high heel angles despite a relatively narrow waterline that facilitates self-righting. The wide decks add safety for the pilot and crew when unberthing at speed and also reduce the risk of superstructure damage.

The hull line, shape and integrated fender system, also minimises the risk of the potential venturi effect that so often sucks traditional pilot boats to the side of a large ship at speed.

The composite materials used in

Mr Hart was born and raised on the Mornington Peninsula and given that his father was a harbour master; he lived and breathed boats from his earliest years.

After an apprenticeship as a boat builder and solid experience as a shipwright, he founded Hart Marine in 1983 and began building cedar boats in a small factory in Mornington.

A commission to build the off-shore racing yacht Morning Mist made him realise that his future lay in boat construction using advanced carbon composite materials. The company then built a string of legendary racing yachts including Morning Mist, Wild Thing, Ausmaid, Scandia Wild Thing, Secret Men’s Business, Limit and many more.

BY THE late ‘80s Hart Marine was already acknowledged as one of Australia’s leading composite boat building yards for a list of discerning clients who insisted on stateof-the-art designs with all the strength and lightness of weight offered by composites.

By the early 2000s Hart Marine made the commercial decision to prioritise its thrust towards commercial boat building, something in line Mr Hart’s own nautical up-bringing and traditions.

Having built a number of high-end corporate charter boats successfully, they felt easy with this new direction and, with a large group of repeat customers conďŹ rming a hard-earned reputation for delivering projects on time and on budget, they were awarded the sizeable contract to team up with French-based naval architects Pantocarene to build two pilot boats for Port Phillip Sea Pilots (PPSP).

Hart Marine has 25 full-time staff members at their purpose-built facility at 66 Yuilles Road in Mornington, Victoria.

The yard has the ability to build vessels up to 33 metres in length, although Mr Hart says they are most comfortable building mid-sized boats in the 14 to 25 metre range.

The future The ďŹ rst two ORC pilot boats delivered

by Hart Marine to Port Phillip Sea Pilots exceeded their expectations to such a degree that this was noticed by port and harbour authorities across the region and it soon led to an order for a 16 metre version, the Mokare, for the Port of Albany in Western Australia.

Mr Hart said that the vessel had been built and delivered to Albany in 2012 and conďŹ rmed that a further two 16 metre vessels had been ordered and were currently under construction at Hart Marine.

One of these is destined for the Geraldton Port Authority and the other was ordered by Chevron for use on their Gorgon Project in Western Australia.

Ph: 61 3 5975 5622 XXX IBSUNBSJOF DPN BV

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ORC Pilot Boat Range

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Port Phillip Sea Pilots Feature

Ready for delivery

Captain Robert Buck

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ORT PHILLIP Sea Pilots (PPSP) is taking delivery of Bellarine, their new state-of-the-art pilot boat, at a ceremony on April 18, 2012.

The vessel is a Pantocarenedesigned 16m ORC 156.HR5 fast pilot boat and is currently having the last finishing touches applied at Hart Marine’s Mornington yard before undergoing seven days of intense sea trials.

PPSP managing director Captain Robert Buck said that the vessel would be the third ORC pilot boat built by Hart Marine for his organisation. He said that PPSP had embarked on an exercise in 2008 to select a new pilot boat to begin to replace their fleet.

He said that PPSP pilots had contend with the severe weather of the Bass Strait and that they had wanted to find the safest possible boat with a selfrighting capability.

After much investigation, a boat designed by Didier Marchant of Pantocarene Naval Architects was chosen because it had proved itself on France’s Atlantic coast in conditions that are very similar to those encountered by PPSP staff.

Pantocarene agreed to authorise Hart Marine build two boats for PPSP and these proved so successful in service that the organisation ordered Bellarine from Hart Marine without requesting any major design changes.

Captain Buck said that the major differentiator between the ORC craft

and conventional pilot boats with their halmatic hulls was the ORC’s unique beak hull design which vastly improves operator and passenger comfort in heavy seas.

He said that the design and Hart Marine’s workmanship had produced a vessel so ideally suited to PPSP’s needs that the organisation would not hesitate to order more of them when the time came to replace the rest of their fleet.

Port Phillip Sea Pilots is a privately owned organisation which provides pilotage services in Port Phillip Bay and Westernport Bays.

Its history goes back to 1839 and its staff oversee about 6000 shipping movements each year.

M&J Engineering 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 commercialgrade, quick release, and stainless steel sea strainers.

M&J Engineering & Marine Sales are particularly proud of their contribution to the latest Hart Marinebuilt pilot vessel which is about to be handed over to her new owners, Port Phillip Sea Pilots. The Bellarine is a superb craft and incorporating onboard equipment exclusively supplied by M&J including Mikado Skew

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five-blade propellers, propeller shafts and coupling package 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 oneinch 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 Australia-wide 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.

Tasports Responds to Changing Markets I

N WHAT has been a challenging two years involving volatile changes in its markets, Tasports continues to focus on cost efficiency and the delivery of its major infrastructure projects.

CUSTOMER FOCUS Despite difficult operating conditions, Tasports’ Chief Executive Officer Paul Weedon says that the business continues to undertake the ground work necessary in order to position itself to retain a sustainable business model to meet its customers’ needs.

“Over the last year we have continued to deliver on, if not increase, our focus on our customers and their requirements, taking a more deliberate approach to working closely with them and building strong and meaningful relationships.”

“A key challenge for us, however, is cyclical changes in our markets and global trends impacting on our business plans and strategies.

In particular the Forestry segment continues to undergo major change, with consequent significant reductions in woodchip export volumes.”

“We do, however, have a strong Corporate Plan with clear and measurable objectives to manage our diverse operations, and we have worked hard in 2012 to continue to fine-tune our state-wide ports development plan to meet customers’ long and short-term infrastructure needs.”

Tasports has recently restructured its business activities following 2012’s market impacts in order to enhance business development and customer activities, and streamline operational teams. The appointment of Chief Operating Officer Craig Heron in July 2012 saw the previous Business Development and Operations divisions merge in order to provide better strategic alignment between operations and customer requirements.

“Craig’s portfolio encompasses towage, security and cargo operations, new business development, customer management, and property development.”

Above: Tasport’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul Weedon KEY ACHIEVEMENTS AND PROJECTS Throughout 2012, Tasports was able to deliver on several key projects, and is a strong position to continue to deliver on these priorities during the year ahead.

Tasports’ Board endorsed the 10 Year Infrastructure Plan, which guides Tasports’ strategic infrastructure, maintenance and business development programs.

“The future development of Tasports’ wharves, land based plant and equipment, tug and vessel fleet, together with customer plans, is framed by this 10 Year Plan, which represents a large body of work undertaken over the last 18 months.”

Despite a challenging year financially, Tasports was also able to invest $16 million across Tasmanian ports. “This is a significant achievement in that it is one of our largest infrastructure spends to date, and up from $13 million in the previous financial year,” Mr Weedon said.

Above: CEO Paul Weedon officially opens the redeveloped Devonport Airport

“We made significant headway also on a number of our major projects, including completion of a $4.6 million upgrade to the Devonport Airport which involved an extensive refurbishment of the terminal building, security screening upgrades and improvements to passenger amenities and facilities.”

Redevelopment of Macquarie Wharf No 2 in Hobart is also well underway and set for completion by the end of March 2013, with Tasports investing $7 million to deliver a dedicated Cruise and Antarctic facility for its customers in these growing industries.

“We have worked very closely with our customers in these segments in order to understand their requirements and future plans, and there is every indication that we will continue to see these industries grow.”

“On the back of a bumper cruise season, our customers and stakeholders in this area have welcomed the facility, and are looking forward to the project’s completion early this year.”

Infrastructure upgrades at Burnie Port will be a key project for 2013, with Tasports working

closely with Toll and TasRail to improve the efficiency of road and rail logistics and ease road congestion in the Burnie port precinct.

“Concept designs for this project are now complete, and construction work is set to commence this year on this vital project following a welcome $4 million allocation from the Federal Government to upgrade the port.”

THE FUTURE Despite the increased operating challenges Tasports has faced over the last 12 months in particular, Mr Weedon says that he is confident the business can remain strong in its ability to deliver on critical infrastructure and maintenance projects, as well as investment in its assets.

“We will continue to develop and foster our Corporate Plan, promote new opportunities and pursue economic growth, allowing us to remain on track and focused on our proactive role in the development of State transport infrastructure and the effectiveness of the Tasmanian freight logistics chain.”

Our Safety and Environmental Commitment

Above: Concept design for redevelopmed of Macquarie Wharf No 2 Australian Ports News - Page 7

Omnitronics – Maritime Radio Systems for a Safer Harbour It’s one of Western Australia’s shining corporate lights and with such humble beginnings, Omnitronics is also an inspirational success story.

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T ALL BEGAN in a small back room in a house in Perth over 30 years ago when two electronics engineers had an idea about radio communication. They had focus, discipline and were driven by the power to dream. The rest is history as they say.

Today, Omnitronics stands tall on the global stage, a company that has clearly established itself as a world leader in the design manufacture and supply of mission critical systems. The company’s strength lies in its ability to provide the power to communicate across the waters using Radio Dispatch and Radio over IP technology.

Omnitronics has also forged successful working partnerships with other international manufacturers and suppliers such as Transas in Europe and is a licensed developer for Motorola Solutions, a member of the DMR Association and a Sponsor of the Australian Radio Communications Industry Association.

Leading names like Tait and ICOM also feature in the extensive range of solutions that Omnitronics can provide.

Internationally the company leads the pack having provided numerous Maritime dispatch solutions across the globe and throughout Australia. Recently Port Hedland Port Authority and Flinders Ports in South Australia joined the growing ranks of Omnitronics clients, who have adopted the company’s custom-tailored Maritime dispatch systems.

Omnitronics understands the demands faced

by Australia’s port authorities in ensuring safe, accurate and efficient communication between those who use their harbours, so who better to provide some insight into the complexities of port operation and the methods available to control the airwaves.

The following Q&A has been provided by Omnitronics to assist in determining how to arrive at the right harbour solution.

Choosing the Right Digital Dispatch Solution for Your Port The choices a port operator can make in regards to their radio solutions are vast and can often be confusing. In this short Q&A article we will address some of the most common concerns and considerations to make when choosing a dispatch system.

Page 8 - Australian Ports News

Q: Most Vessels still use Conventional Analogue channels, how can we upgrade to digital without losing the ability to connect to these channels?

A: Perhaps the largest challenge for ports is the sheer number of different types of radios out there: differing manufacturers, differing protocols and different frequency bands. Digital Radio has added an extra level of confusion with the array of available protocols available such as P25, DMR and NXDN. In order to ensure that your dispatch system can meet the demands of the present and the future, it is best to choose a vendor independent system. Systems like the DX-Altus are able to not only manage legacy analogue PMR channels on a variety of frequency bands but also a large variety of digital protocols. Furthermore, these can all be used in conjunction on the one network.

Operators can connect to all of these, the only difference being the functionality available on each of the buttons which depends on the end radio.

Ultimately, this means not only can you prepare for digital radio but you can also access legacy channels. Furthermore, port operations such as security and maintenance could be managed within the same network: one dispatch system for all your operations.

Q: What added functionality can a digital dispatch system provide?

A: We’ve all heard the benefits of going to digital radio such as increased spectral efficiency, better quality audio and combined voice & data access , but what about on the dispatch console side? In short, with digital radio a dispatcher could conduct a range of additional functions: - Rapid Recall: Automatic recording of all conversations that an operator can instantly replay to gather the most important details meaning the radio user doesn’t need to repeat information.

- Individual Calling: Ensures privacy and eliminates unnecessary and distracting audio traffic - Text Messaging: Useful for delivering nonurgent communications or for in noisy environments.

- Emergency Management: Operators can receive and transmit emergency calls. The

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system can be set up to respond in a variety of ways such as with tones or pre-recorded messages Location Based Services: Using GPS, dispatchers can see a real time map of user activity.

Lone Worker: Operators are alerted if an alert is activated on the radio in the event of a fall, injury or if no contact has been made for a pre-set period of time.

Remote Monitor: Operators could discretely connect to a radio’s microphone to monitor the audio. Another useful feature if you are concerned about a user’s wellbeing.

Stun Kill: An operator can temporarily or permanently disable a radio that could be lost or stolen, then reactivated once found.

These are just a few examples of extra tools an operator can choose to use in order to improve the safety and efficiency of the workforce.

In addition, with the range of radios available out there, some radios may not have certain digital functions. For example; the dispatch system should detect what is possible on the radio and if text messaging is not possible on this radio, operators are not presented with the text message option.

Q: What do I look for in Dispatch Software?

A: There are a number of important factors in selecting dispatch software beyond the interoperability and functionality it provides.

Make sure you consider the below: 1. Role Based Access: With an increased number of personnel and roles able to use the same network as described above, your chosen dispatch solution needs to incorporate a role based system. Ideally, the system should enable access to specific channels and/or digital functions based on the individual operator’s role.

Not only does this ensure that security is maintained but also that the console is streamlined to make an operator’s task simpler.

2. Customisable: Beyond customising access based on an individual’s role, the layout of the software itself should be able to be configured to meet your needs. This can be done by keeping valuable screen real estate for the highest priority items. Colours, fonts, images and windows should all be adaptable to suit these roles.

3. Simple Channel Management: It is common to require access a large number of radio channels or talk groups at some point in time. Some channels will require constant monitoring but others are available only for the rare occasions of when a ship is using a legacy radio. By using a simple system like work groups on various windows or tabs, channels can be grouped to have the most important channels front and centre and keeping the less frequently used channels hidden whilst still getting indicated if one of these is activated.

Finally, ensure that remote channel change or talk group change is available.

4. Advanced Contacts Management: With added digital functions, simple management of contacts is more important than ever. Your contacts management system should not only be centrally stored it should accessible by the operator within the shortest amount of time.

Ideally, operators could look up a contact within a larger contacts list or when they select an individual call on a specific channel or talk group, contacts are integrated within this button. For example, the contacts list is refined to only show individuals available on that channel.

5. Minimal Clicks: Ultimately, operator efficiency is one of the highest priorities and with the increase in functionality available with digital, systems need to be designed smarter than ever with advanced controls such as press & hold and memory of what is more commonly accessed within a function (e.g. a dial pad or contact list).

Furthermore, if using a touch screen, has the software been designed with this in mind?

Q: How can we ensure that our chosen system will meet our reliability needs?

A: The reliability of a system can be increased by a number of factors.

- Is the system server on a dedicated server or on a PC? PC’s can often be susceptible to viruses and malware attacks along with having a shorter lifetime.

- Does the dedicated server have a modular infrastructure? Not only does a modular infrastructure mean you can design a system to meet your current needs and be able to grow with you, but it also means seamless backup mechanisms between server modules are possible. For example, if the central controller fails the system automatically switches to a backup.

- Does your dispatch system allow for backup systems? In the event of an emergency or disaster, backup systems may be required.

You can ensure that you are covered in this circumstance by having a remote server elsewhere that is a duplicate of the first system. Operators can then instantly switch to the backup.

Q: We are in a remote area, how can we ensure we get the technical support we need?

A: By choosing a system that has remote access and support through a secure, web-based system, remote configuration and monitoring could be done from any location – whether next door, in the nearest capital or on the other side of the world.

These are just a few of the many considerations a port operator should make when choosing their dispatch solution.

Ultimately, choosing a flexible digital dispatch system that can suit your current circumstances, but also grow with you and advances in technology, can ensure your safe and efficient operations now and in the future.

For more information about Omnitronics visit; www.omnitronicsworld.com

DX-Altus DX-Altus Reaching New Heights in Radio Dispatch & Interoperability With dozens of dispatch systems installed in Ports and Maritime Operations in Australia & Worldwide, Omnitronics knows the safety and efficiency needs you face every day.

Ask us today how the DX-Altus Digital Radio Management System can help you meet the demands of today and the future. ✓

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East Coast & NZ: +61 7 3369 5733 West & Central: +61 8 9445 2633 sales@omnitronics.com.au www.omnitronicsworld.com

Australian Owned & Operated for over 30 Years Australian Ports News - Page 9

Macquarie Wharf no. 2 Shed feature

Fairbrother transforms Antarctic Gateway A

CCORDING to David O’Byrne, Tasmania’s Minister for Infrastructure, Hobart has the highest concentration of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic researchers in Australia and Fairbrother’s transformation of Macquarie Wharf Number 2 Shed is an important contribution in the ongoing renaissance of the Hobart port. It will provide a further boost for what is already the ideal gateway to the Antarctic. One of the aims of the new facility is to capitalise on the existing services and further attract members of the international scientific Antarctic community.

The Tasmanian Ports Corporation (Tasports) has been proactively enhancing the facilities at Hobart’s deep water port for a number of years and apart from meeting current and future cruise and shipping demands, Hobart provides a natural meeting and embarkation point for those with an interest in the Antarctic region.

In announcing the contract awarded to Fairbrother Pty Ltd, David O’Byrne highlighted the improvements to the port already made by Tasports. The company also manages ports in Launceston, Burnie and Devonport.

“From the modern redevelopment of Princes Wharf Number One Shed, the provision of PW2 for the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, and the $50 million rehabilitation of the Hobart rail yards for future use, we’re transforming this waterfront into a modern and dynamic place, which attracts people to work, play and live.

As well as making it a fantastic place to spend time, that unique waterfront renaissance will create jobs and social opportunities for years and decades to come Fair brother is a well-respected local company, and now has a chance to share in that pride and achievement.” he said.

The Fairbrother upgrade of Macquarie Wharf Number 2 Shed is extensive and when completed will become a dedicated facility for both cruise ships and Antarctic activities.

In 2013 Tasports expects 50 cruise ships to make use of its Tasmanian ports in the 2012/2013 season which extends from October to April with possibly more arrivals during the next year. The Number 2 Shed will be up and running in time for that next season.

In the modernisation of Wharf Number 2 Shed, Tasports wanted to retain the original façade of the building due to its historic and cultural significance.

However, the challenge for Fairbrother was to ensure that the operational aspects of the Hobart Port and the required role to be played by the Number 2 Shed were compatible.

Further consideration was needed to ensure that the Shed would conform to the required levels of urban integration and that the overall design was consistent with the other surrounding port structures. This outcome would then be in keeping with the holistic approach to the overall expansion of the Hobart Port under the Sullivan’s Cove Master Plan.

Whilst retaining the historic value of the exterior of the Number 2 Shed, internally it required extensive structural work to improve community access and to provide flexible floor space to fulfil the needs of both a dedicated cruise terminal and an Antarctic operations area.

The scale of the completed building under the redevelopment process is much the same as the original and the exterior paintwork and colour scheme will complement the existing Elizabeth and Princes Number 1 Shed.

Fairbrother conducted detailed planning sessions with all stake holders prior to commencing construction and in particular, due to the nature of the project and age of the building, worked closely with Workplace Standards Tasmania.

The company commenced work on the project in July 2012 with completion anticipated in March 2013, a month later than initially expected due to some late additions to extend the scope of the project. While rain has had some influence on the schedule it hasn’t been a major issue. However, extra consideration had to be given in face of strong winds that plagued the dockside construction site requiring the project team to take extra care to secure loose materials.

One of the first challenges facing the project team was the presence of asbestos throughout the old building and it was particularly evident in the roof cladding, which had to be removed under strict protocols before the real work began.

Of course any work conducted on a heritage

building requires extra care to ensure that redevelopment and modernisation is in keeping with the original building and so demolition of any kind can impact on the structural integrity of the original build.

Fairbrother have an enormous amount of experience with re-development projects having successfully completed the Elizabeth Street Pier upgrade in the mid to late 90’s.

The company’s construction diversity is also extraordinary and the eclectic mix of completed projects over the years would suggest that Fairbrother has the full complement of inhouse skills to fulfil any construction task.

In this instance, according to Fairbrother Project Manager, Andrew Burns, demolition of the existing concrete elements was a particular challenge as removal of concrete supports and structures would inevitably have an impact on the structural strength of the wharf shed.

Bearing in mind that the building had to be maintained and remain ‘working’ while the project was completed.

Much of the detail work had to be done to scale and then incorporated within the building and with the large size of the shed to consider, accuracy and quality of the detail work was critical. This was probably the slowest part

of the redevelopment process given the need for the team to ‘co-operate’ with the ongoing operational aspects of the building.

The arrival of any cruise ships always took preference so the project team had to vacate and cease work in the middle third of the wharf shed whenever this happened. The team pushed hard at the outset to minimise any delays prior to the first cruise ship arriving. This also ensured that the build schedule could be maintained over the term of the project, as it minimised the need to access that section of the building in the future.

A further challenge was the installation of stormwater interceptor tanks which were located at both the east and western ends of the building. These needed to be located 5 metres below the pavement level and during high tide, working on the tanks was a tricky business as the higher water level covered the lower portion of the tanks and those responsible for the work had to continue working virtually 2 metres below sea level.

The area within the building was redefined into three sections. At the western end is the Tasports cruise terminal and at the eastern end is the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD).

Special measures were taken with the section of the building to be used by the AAD with

Above: Laying the new roof on Macquarie Wharf No2 Shed Top: Macquarie Wharf No2 Shed work in progress

Page 10 - Australian Ports News

Macquarie Wharf no. 2 Shed feature strong emphasis placed on vermin proofing the building. Obviously strict quarantine regulations had to be met as would be the case with any dockside facility but even more critical with regard to Antarctic exploration.

The AAD section of the building features administration areas, a general workshop and storage facilities.

The remaining middle section allows some flexibility in terms of future use by Tasports and includes parking. This multi-use aspect was an important consideration within the planning and design of the redevelopment so that future needs could be met by what is essentially a versatile and modernised building.

In keeping with the multi-use factor, the complete floor area was polished to create a fresh new look for the valuable ‘recycled’ timber.

Glazing and the installation of new window frames was a key element in the redevelopment process throughout the building. The Fairbrother team also installed a new roof and repainted the wharf shed both internally and externally in keeping with the surrounding heritage structures.

Realignment of existing concrete walk ways and construction of new entryways were also part of the project scope.

Project Manager Andrew Burns has clearly enjoyed the unusual challenges presented during the construction of this particular project and said; “It was important that the redevelopment be completed on time given the logistics of port operations and the impending cruise season but as with most projects there are always unexpected challenges that arise.

However, working with Patrick Stanton from Stanton Management Group and Circa Architects who represented Tasports and the representatives from the Australian Antarctic Division made problem solving so much easier. Discussions took place regularly and all parties involved had a clear focus on what they were trying to achieve in terms of their respective interests and we knew exactly what we had to do.

Fairbrother are a Tasmanian company so the rewards for us go much further than simply those achieved at the construction level. We are proud to have been associated with such an interesting project and one that has provided the port with more flexibility and in keeping with other ‘renaissance’ projects, has made the port more attractive for both the general Hobart community and tourists alike.”

Fairbrother is an interesting and diverse construction company and has come a long way since its establishment as a small, family owned business in 1973. Its dramatic success since those humble beginnings has been achieved mainly through a focus on internal

Resurfacing the Macquarie Wharf No. 2 Shed Floor S

Above: Stormwater trap being lowered into place 2m below sea level.

training and development which has ensured that it has a large, highly skilled workforce with the capacity to meet any building or maintenance challenge.

The company now employs around 450 people across a number of business units including joinery, construction, facility management, corporate services, in-house developments and mechanical services.

The company’s proven record and solid reputation for excellence is marked by a number of iconic and award winning projects not just in Tasmania but also on the mainland.

Now with offices in Devonport, Hobart, Launceston, as well as Bendigo, Warrnambool and East Melbourne, its operational reach has broadened and with it, a client base that has allowed the company to undertake selected projects nationally.

At the heart of the company is a highly qualified expertise in superior detailed joinery which goes back over three decades and perhaps this is where Fairbrother’s strict attention to detail and high standards of workmanship have their origin. There’s no doubt that this talent now stretches across the much broader spectrum of construction needs. With such a strong and adaptable workforce Fairbrother are ideally placed to expand even further and it is definitely a dynamic company to watch and we will undoubtedly hear much more about Fairbrother as the future unfolds.

To find out more about Fairbrother visit; www.fairbrother.com.au

URFACE PROTECTION specialists Poly-Tech Tasmania have played a significant role in the $7 million project to rejuvenate the historic no. 2 shed at Hobart’s Macquarie Wharf.

The shed and adjacent wharf had traditionally been used as Hobart’s cruise liner terminal and the project aimed to turn the shed into a facility that would be able to cope with the ever-increasing numbers of cruise liners stopping off there.

Hobart also hosts Australia’s largest concentration of Antarctic and subAntarctic researchers and the project also provided for the establishment of an Antarctic logistics centre, using part of the shed, to boost Hobart’s international status as a gateway to the Antarctic and the Southern Ocean.

Poly-Tech Tasmania business development manager Sam O’Neill said that the shed’s concrete floor was old with extensive damage and that the lead contractor on the project, Fairbrother Pty Ltd, had engaged Poly-Tech to provide the solution.

The contract called for the repair and resurfacing of the shed’s huge 3000m2 floor area to be completed with a 6mm screed layer of Hychem’s Hycrete selflevelling polyurethane cement. There were some concerns from the client about whether the resulting surface would be durable enough in the long-term and so it was proposed by Poly-Tech, drawing on their 30 years of experience of similar situations, to resurface a smaller area as an initial test.

The test area was resurfaced by a highly skilled Poly-Tech team who initially shotblasted the existing concrete surface to key it for the optimal adhesion of the new surface. They then mixed and applied polyurethane cement to the prepared floor and allowed it to cure for the required 72 hours.

Shot Blasting Preparation Method

A large skid-steer front-end loader was then driven on it to test its durability and Mr O’Neill said the results had been outstanding. He said that it had not only given the project design team and the client the confidence the right product had been selected for the job, but it also ensured Poly-Tech were able to offer the client a significant warranty package on the project.

Poly-Tech was then given the go-ahead to commence work on the extremely time-sensitive job and completed it on schedule in March 2013 after three months of intense effort aimed at ensuring that it caused the minimum amount of disruption to the overall project.

The benefits of the Hycrete polyurethane flooring system specified for the contract include durability and impact resistance, resistance to chemicals and spills, fast installation and curing, no odour or fume problems, that it can be applied to 7-day-old concrete and that it comes in a range of colours and non-slip finishes.

Poly-Tech offers its expertise nationally to a vast array of commercial and industrial clients with particular emphasis on concrete protection and restoration. The company initially specialised in the repair and remediation of older concrete surfaces but now also consults with clients on the best ways of protecting surfaces in new buildings and installations.

Mr O’Neill said that, with the installation of the proper protective measures, the life of new surfaces was that much greater which would lead to a significant reduction in down-time and costs in the long-term.

He also said that Poly-Tech’s highly trained specialists now offer solutions to concrete issues in maritime environments Australia wide.

Application of 6mm Polyurethane Cement to Shed No 2

Proudly associated with Fairbrothers and the Macquarie Wharf Shed 2 project To discuss your next maritime concrete repair project please call:

The Concrete Protection & Restoration Specialists

03 6265 3957 supporttas@poly-tech.com.au

www.poly-tech.com.au Australian Ports News - Page 11

Asia-Pacific Oil Spill Prevention and Preparedness Conference Spillcon 2013 CAIRNS – QUEENSLAND 8-12 APRIL

Speakers

About Spillcon RINGING TOGETHER environmental and shipping representatives from across the world to network, share information and take back learnings to their own organisations is the aim of this year’s Asia-Pacific Oil Spill Prevention and Preparedness Conference Spillcon 2013.

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Spillcon 2013 is on from 8-12 April at the Cairns Convention Centre. Hosted and organised by a key group of Australia’s government and industry agencies responsible for Australia’s marine environmental protection arrangements, Spillcon occurs every three years, alternating with the International Oil Spill Conference (IOSC) in the United States, and Interspill in Europe.

The conference will bring together local, regional and global environmental and shipping representatives from across industry, government and non-government organisations and provides an avenue for attendees to hear about and discuss issues relating to oil spills.

The conference will be split into 12 sessions over the four days, and Australian and international speakers considered experts in their field will cover topics such as oil spill cause and prevention,

Page 12 - Australian Ports News

preparedness, response management and environmental issues.

Exhibitions by more than 30 companies of their oil spill related products and services such as include oil spill kits, bunding, skimmers and personal protective equipment will also feature at Spillcon 2013.

Exhibiting companies include OPEC Systems, Lamor Corporation, Oil Response Company of Australia, Oil Spill Response Limited and UK Spill Association.

The conference will also include a live on-water demonstration at the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal to demonstrate Australia’s capability to respond to marine environmental incidents. It will include a demonstration of a hazardous material response using a helicopter, the simulated application of dispersant from two aircraft and the deployment of boom and containment equipment.

AMSA’s emergency towage vessel Pacific Responder and search and rescue aircraft will also be a part of the display, and attendees will have the opportunity to witness the use of Australia’s new oil spill equipment, including dispersant spray systems, skimmers and oil containment boom.

More than 20 specialist talks around oil spill response will feature during the conference’s four days.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear about latest developments relating to oil spills including cause and prevention, preparedness, response management and environmental issues, and listen to learnings from past oil spill or chemical leak incidents.

Speakers include representatives from the Australian Shipowner’s Association, International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited, the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund and Australian and New Zealand maritime authorities.

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Mr Koji Sekimizu will also address the conference, as will the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, The Hon. Anthony Albanese MP. Topics will include marine pollution response, regulating oil spill response for the offshore petroleum industry, satellite technology, and salvage operations.

Response to the Rena oil spill Maritime New Zealand’s Nigel Clifford will share his story on how the response unfolded to the grounding of the merchant vessel Rena on New Zealand’s Astrolabe Reef in 2011 - the country’s largest oil spill response.

Nigel has been working with Maritime New Zealand since 2009 and is currently the General Manager of Safety and Response Services.

Nigel’s presentation will detail the unique response to the incident, which involved using trained oil spill response personnel to lead volunteers from the local area rather than paid contractors. This involved new thinking around how to manage the volunteers.

The resulting clean-up effort involved more than 8,000 volunteers who collectively put in 24,000 hours to remove a large portion of the total 1,050 tonnes of oil contaminated sand and debris that was collected following the spill.

Learnings from the Eline Enterprise response Ian Niblock from the Darwin Port Corporation will speak about the response to the 2012 Eline Enterprise gas leak incident, and the learnings that came out of the incident.

In the early hours of Australia Day 2012, the master of the Panama flagged Eline Enterprise reported that ethylene gas was leaking from several containers damaged in bad weather.

Darwin Port Corporation’s emergency response arrangements were then activated, marking the start of a 24 day response.

Ian will detail the many considerations during the incident, and the implementation of key learnings identified during the event to Darwin Port’s emergency response arrangements such as the need to improve information sharing and strengthening commercial arrangements with salvage companies.

Preventing Marine Pollution Incidents Spillcon 2013 will present 12 sessions on various topics relating to oil spill response over its four days. The session on preventing marine pollution will feature two speakers, including Martin Squire from the Australian Government Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism.

Martin will speak on the Australian Government’s progress in implementing the Recommendations of the Montara Commission on Inquiry and the policy drivers behind Australia’s objective-based offshore regime.

The Montara wellhead platform drill rig suffered a well head accident in August 2009, resulting in the uncontrolled discharge of oil and gas. The leak continued until 3 November 2009, and it’s estimated around 400 barrels of crude oil were lost per day from the wellhead.

The presentation will detail changes to the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act to complete the implementation of the accepted Montara Commission of Inquiry recommendations, and will also highlight other proposed legislative and regulatory changes in the area of well operations and environmental regulations.

Recovery from Marine Pollution Incidents The session on recovery from marine pollution will feature three speakers, including Dr Brian Cohen, the Environment Manager at Shell Australia.

Dr Cohen will discuss the implementation of a monitoring program for the Prelude Floating Liquefied Natural Gas development in the Browse Basin, 475km north-northeast of Broome in Western Australia.

The Prelude development was the first offshore production facility to receive environmental approval in Australia following the Montara and Macondo oil spills in 2009 and 2010 respectively. Prelude was approved under Australia’s primary environmental legislation (Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) on the condition that an oil spill monitoring program was developed prior to drilling commencing.

To meet this condition, Shell has developed a Browse Basin Operational and Scientific Monitoring Program (OSMP) in collaboration with other operators in the Browse Basin. The OSMP details the operational monitoring activities that will be conducted to help plan clean-up operations in order to minimise environmental harm in the event of a spill, and the scientific monitoring activities that will be undertaken to allow for a thorough investigation of the spill’s impacts in the short and long term.

The presentation will outline the rationale and approaches taken in developing the OSMP, as well as the planning currently underway to enable the rapid implementation of the OSMP if required.

Dr Andrew Ross from the CSIRO will also talk on the topic of marine pollution, focussing on new and emerging approaches and technologies to monitoring marine pollutions effects and their possible application in Australian waters.

Anthony Albanese MP

Nigel Clifford

ORCA to attend Spillcon 2013

Brian Cohen

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USTRALIA’S ability to respond quickly to environmental emergencies at sea is a critical and ongoing issue. Fortunately, for some years Australia’s key government and industry agencies have taken a proactive approach to the problem and this is clearly demonstrated at every Spillcon conference.

This year’s conference in Cairns will be the 13th of its kind and it provides an extra opportunity for all those involved to discuss a range of issues from cause and prevention, preparedness, response management and environmental issues.

One of the important participants at the conference will be the Oil Response Company of Australia Pty Ltd (ORCA).

Marine environment protection has been ORCA’s sole focus since 1996 when it was established following a period of downsizing and privatisation which occurred in various agencies involved in marine environment protection. Obviously, that situation created a potential risk, a concern that at the time of any emergency those agencies would be less equipped to respond appropriately.

ORCA’s response was to harness a number of highly experienced environmental protection professionals and to put in place a training programme that would create a dedicated team of personnel equipped to assist and support those agencies when dealing with marine spills. The company also provides maintenance of response equipment on a contract basis.

ORCA is now the largest private provider of contract spill response maintenance and training of oil pollution equipment services in Australia. Although the head office is based in Victoria, ORCA’s reputation is such that it is now in demand across a range of clients throughout Australia and also provides its services, including training to overseas agencies involved in marine environment protection.

Ian Niblock

Above: Oil Response Company of Australia head office in Victoria.

Below: Training and maintenance services.

In recent years, Federal agencies like AMSA have sought ORCA advice and operational support in training members for its National Response Team and state governments have also utilised the organisation’s services.

ORCA’s global influence has resulted in membership of ASTM International with voting rights on its F20 Committee. ASTM, based in America, is an internationally recognized leader in the development and delivery of over 12,000 voluntary standards designed to improve quality across a broad range of markets. The F20 Committee concentrates its efforts on developing greater product efficiency and shortened response times when dealing with hazardous substances and oil spills. It has jurisdiction over more than 20 standards relating to the manufacture and use of oil spill response products.

Here in Australia, ORCA continues to develop and manufacture a range of response products including an oil spill response kit for use in sheltered waters such as harbours, marinas, rivers and lakes. The kit includes a fence boom, small skimmer, anchor kit and a response vehicle to deploy the equipment. The kit can be further tailored to suit the situation or location.

ORCA has also developed a sturdy 5.6 metre, Oil Response Vessel cable of speeds up to 25 knots with special 4mm plating on the bottom and sides.

The company can also source and maintain specialised response equipment and operates a leasing programme to assist their clients if necessary.

However, it is in the maintenance of equipment and training of personnel specifically to respond when the marine environment is under threat and in providing

highly experienced professionals to fulfil incident command centre roles at a time of emergency where the company really excels.

The 5 day Spillcon oil spill conference for the Asia – Pacific region, organised by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the Australian Institute of Petroleum will be held in Cairns from April 8th – 12th 2013. It’s also an ideal opportunity to learn more about the important role that ORCA plays in defending our coastline from environmental attack.

In the meantime if you would like to know more about ORCA visit; www.oilresponse.com.au

Andrew Ross

Martin Squire

Marine Pollution Response ORCA is now the largest private provider of contract spill response training and oil pollution equipment maintenance services in Australia.

The company is based in Victoria and has expanded its training and maintenance services to the point where it now has an Australia-wide client base and also provides services to overseas clients.

ORCA’s mission is to provide a complete, professional and timely service to our clients covering all aspects of marine pollution response and preparedness in a safe, efficient and cost-effective manner.

We are also registered to work in Papua New Guinea.

Unit 5 10-16 Southey St Williamstown, Victoria

Also located in: • Carrum Downs, Victoria • Lonsdale, South Australia • Darwin, Northern Territory

Come and meet some of the ORCA team at stand no. 6 and see if we can help you!

Australian Ports News - Page 13

BP invest $50 million in Queensland’s North BP Australia’s National Bitumen Manager, Mike Bailey is clearly a man of action and determined to provide the highest level of service for customers of the BP bitumen product throughout Australia.

In recent times, three simultaneous major projects have been conducted and completed representing a huge investment made by the company in its import, storage, manufacturing and distribution facilities.

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HE END result is a dramatic logistical improvement in ensuring that the practicality of sourcing BP bitumen and marine oil is now much closer to the end user particularly in Queensland’s north.

Two of these major projects were in Hobart and Brisbane while the third, BP’s new Bitumen Import, Manufacturing and Storage facility at the Port of Townsville was in itself, as dramatic and as challenging as any construction project could be. The two Queensland projects combined represent an investment of over $100 million by BP Australia in that state.

However, during construction of the Townsville project, which commenced early in 2009, you might be forgiven for thinking that it was not meant be. As we know, all projects have their own set of challenges but when you throw in the unexpected and destructive forces of a cyclone into the mix, it is definitely to say the least, a little unfair.

Such was the cyclone’s power that it left the construction site buried under a metre of water with most of the storage tank roof cladding blown across the road and ultimately found some distance away from the site.

According to Paul Paddison, Construction Manager for Lanskey Constructions, the company responsible for building the facility, not only was Yasi devastating in its impact on the site but when combined with the extreme heavy rain that had already been experienced in the early stages of the project, all in all, 12

BP Bitumen Townsville Import Facility

Page 14 - Australian Ports News

Left to right: Mike McGuinness (Head of Sales and Marketing - BP Australia), Mike Bailey (National Bitumen Manager - BP Australia) David Crisafulli (Queensland Minister for Local Govt), John Hathaway (State Member for Townsville).

months had been lost from the construction schedule.

But much was learnt from the damaging cyclonic effects. New measures, particularly in relation to the insulation of the tanks and the reinforcement of revetment walls, turned what had been an extremely negative and forceful attack by nature into a positive. The new facility is now further strengthened and far more able to withstand future extreme weather events such as a cyclone.

In completing the construction process, Mike Bailey was adamant that the triumph of man over nature was well worth the struggle.

He believes that Northern Queensland deserves the best in terms of infrastructure and bitumen plays a part in that process. Mike, along with those who worked on the Townsville project, has some understanding of the plight faced by the many residents who suffered far more of a personal impact and subsequent loss due to cyclone Yasi’s fury.

“We’ve had a depot in Townsville since the mid-seventies and have always believed in the huge potential in that region and have always admired the tenacity of those who live and work in the northern area of Queensland.

We also value our relationship with our clients in that state such as the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and over recent years we have also witnessed a huge growth in the demand for our bitumen product. At one stage we were moving around ten thousand tonnes of bitumen per year but demand for our product has continued to grow and increased dramatically to around fifty to sixty thousand tonnes a year.

Of course this was transported from our Brisbane plant by rail to our Townsville depot and then by truck to the end user. Although the system worked well it could always be improved. Therefore, establishing a new facility in Townsville was vital in removing any of those logistical disadvantages and ensuring that we could meet the growing demand and provide better service for our clients in that region.

When combined with our recently expanded bitumen and marine oil import facility in Brisbane we now have excellent market coverage throughout Queensland. To put it in context, BP Australia now has the capacity to seal or pave approximately 10,000 kilometres of Queensland roads per annum.” said Mr Bailey.

Despite all the setbacks endured over a four year construction journey, BP’s $50 million bitumen import and manufacturing facility was officially opened on February 7th 2013

by David Crisafulli, Queensland Minister for Local Government.

The Minister highlighted the importance and significance of BP Australia’s investment in the region when he said, “Regional Queensland needs to continue to promote the economic opportunities that are available in our part of the world. With a population nearing 200,000 and an ideal location to service the northern part of the state, there are golden opportunities for businesses to invest in Townsville.”

Port of Townsville CEO, Mr Barry Holden went further praising BP’s initiative in establishing the plant, “Townsville’s strength lies in its diversity of industry and it is always pleasing to see another trade that will further support local and regional growth, jobs, and business come online.

BP Australia has been proactive in investing in the new infrastructure required to make this bitumen trade a reality and we congratulate the company on the initiative.” Mr Holden said.

The $50 million project took in excess of 250,000 hours to complete and what is extraordinary and to the great credit of the BP and Lanskey Constructions team, particularly given the somewhat hazardous working environment, there were no lost time injuries incurred. If you include the expansion of BP’s bitumen and marine oil facility in Brisbane it becomes even more remarkable. In all, the two projects totalled 650,000 hours and there was not one lost time injury.

At the outset and prior to the extreme wet weather that was soon to be experienced the first challenge to overcome was the site itself.

The new BP facility in the Port of Townsville is located in an area of the port known as Hudson Ponds so the constant presence of

ground water had to be dealt with and as such it required special friction piles to secure the foundation on its watery base. When laying the piles the project team spent many hours working in effect, underwater and at the time, little did they know that soon cyclonic rainfall would create a much bigger problem leading to the site being inundated with water up to a metre high.

Bill Paterson, former Project Director for BP Australia has faced many challenges over his 36 years with the company and looks back with a certain amount of pride on the Townsville Port project.

“At the time it was the largest construction project undertaken for BP Australia and it was by far the most challenging and rewarding project that I had the pleasure of working on during my career. Of course Cyclone Yasi brought a new dimension as far as challenges are concerned but the sense of achievement in overcoming the cyclone’s destruction which impacted heavily on construction was ultimately extremely rewarding.

But the project was made even more interesting by the requirement to deliver an end result that simultaneously brought together three main elements. We had the construction itself, which as you know had its own set of unique challenges. We also needed to secure a reliable source of bitumen from Asia and couple that with organizing a term charter of two bitumen carriers to deliver that supply to the facility.

The timing and resolution of those three elements was critical. Without all three, the facility could not be truly tested prior to fulltime operation.”

The new facility includes two 5,000 tonne storage tanks, two 3,000 tonne storage tanks, two 1,000 tonne ‘day’ tanks, a two-bay loading gantry and a PMB production plant.

The plant can now store and process 18,000 tonnes of hot bitumen at any one time which is directly imported by ship from refineries in Singapore. Significant upgrades had to be made to the wharf itself with special pipelines installed to deliver the bitumen from ship to shore. The hot bitumen is offloaded along

600 metre hotlines and these are electrically heated to maintain the temperature of the bitumen on its journey to the storage tanks.

The BP facility also has a capacity to manufacture specialty products and also ends the previous practice of sending shipments of bitumen north by rail from Brisbane. A fully automated, dual loading gantry was also erected to allow two tankers to simultaneously load bitumen prior to delivery to the end user.

This process is all controlled by the driver of the tanker and the system can operate 24 hours a day.

The demand for BP Bitumen’s products across the country is largely due to the company’s long standing R&D programmes coordinated through its National Technical Centre.

Technologists at the Technical Centre have focused on Australia’s unique climate and diverse terrain conditions that prevail throughout the country. The result is the production of a range of bitumen products that have been developed specifically for the Australian road maintenance and construction industry.

BP products are thoroughly tested at every stage of development and the range includes a wide variety of bitumen products to meet the diverse demands of Australia’s road building conditions.

The new facility at the Port of Townville represents a huge investment on the part of BP Australia and it’s a clear indication that the company is proactive, committed to expanding its operational reach and providing a high standard of service for its customers. This is all good news, not only for those who build our roads, but for those who live, work and travel throughout Queensland’s northern region.

As Mike Bailey, BP Australia’s National Bitumen Manager said at the official opening; “We can see strong growth in Northern Queensland for both paving grade bitumen and our speciality products designed for roads subject to high stress and wear. We are delighted with the performance of our new plant and are pleased to be contributing to Queensland’s prosperity.”

From left: David Crisafulli, Queensland Minister for Local Government; Mike Bailey, General Manager, BP Bitumen; John Hathaway MP - Member for Townsville; Mike McGuinness, Head of Sales & Marketing, BP Australia.

Thermal insulation for bitumen plant pipes T

HE OFFICIAL opening of BP’s bitumen manufacturing and export plant at the Port of Townsville took place on 7 February 2013.

Tasmanian-based firm Thermal Insulation Contracting played a significant role in the $50 million project after it was commissioned by the main contractor, Lanskey Constructions, to install thermal insulation on the plant’s piping.

Thermal Insulation Contracting coowner Jared Daw said that the firm had had a long relationship with Lanskey Constructions after first being contracted by them to provide the insulation for a project in Hobart.

He said that the firm had then been asked to participate in the much larger project to assist in construction of a new bitumen plant for BP in Townville and that the job had been accomplished in two phases.

In the first phase, Mr Daw and his business partner Paul Oakley installed insulation on the bitumen transfer line running from the wharf to the plant and, once the plant’s piping had been completed, a larger team returned to Townsville for phase two of the task.

Mr Daw said that they had arrived back on-site in November 2011 with six personnel and, after expanding the team to 10, had insulated over 3km of piping, ranging in diameter from 1 to 8 inch, by mid-September 2012.

The work consisted of wrapping the pipes with either pre-formed pipe

sections or mats of Rockwool insulating material which is capable of withstanding temperatures of up 450°C. About 350 rolls of Rockwool matting and 800m of Rockwool pipe sections were used on the job along with seven tonnes of aluminium coil which was used as a layer of cladding over the Rockwool-wrapped piping.

According to Mr Daw, the job was trouble-free, apart from a few weather delays, and he said that he was pleased that the high quality of work delivered had resulted in an invitation from Lanskey Constructions to participate in further projects for BP at the Port of Brisbane.

He said these included work on BP’s bitumen blower unit (BBU), which ran from October 2012 to February 2013.

Thermal Insulation Contracting is currently at work on BP’s bitumen holding facility in Brisbane where it is installing insulation for bitumen storage tanks.

Australian Ports News - Page 15

Nothing will stop Lanskey – not even a Cyclone I

T WAS all good news. BP Australia were investing $50 million in a new bitumen facility in the Port of Townsville providing a huge boost for the regional economy and the company’s preferred construction company, Lanskey Constructions was on the job.

This highly versatile Queensland construction company, established in 1986 by Managing Director Paul Lanskey and Co-Director Ross Williams has enjoyed a long association with BP. From a construction perspective the pairing has become a highly successful and proven project partnership that has stood the test of time.

However, in Townsville it was about to be thoroughly tested, taken beyond the limits of the normal and often demanding challenges that construction companies throughout Australia have to face. Lanskey Constructions had three projects to complete on behalf of BP Australia and all were related to the huge investment made by BP in expanding operations and improving access to its range of bitumen and marine oil products. Importantly, all have been successfully completed and fully operational.

Two of these major projects were in Hobart and Brisbane while the third, BP’s new Bitumen Import, Manufacturing and Storage facility at the Port of Townsville was in itself, as dramatic and as challenging as any construction project could be.

The two Queensland projects combined represent an investment of over $100 million

by BP Australia in that state alone and the fact that the completion of the new facility in the Port of Townsville was such a success, clearly demonstrates the strength and resilience of Lanskey Constructions.

The company’s ability to overcome the unexpected challenges faced during construction revealed a capacity to, not only deal with the inherent obstacles of the site itself, but to withstand the unpredictable and damaging forces of nature.

Paul Paddison, Construction Manager for Lanskey Constructions was far more modest about his company’s efforts and emphasised the importance of the role that BP played in overcoming the many challenges.

“Although heavy rainfall was a constant source of frustration throughout the construction phase and ultimately the cyclone’s devastating impact also interrupted our schedule, our longstanding relationship with BP meant that communication was always open as it should be between project partners.

Therefore any problems or unexpected challenges that impacted on construction were quickly resolved.”

Work begins - the calm before the storm Work began on the BP facility in December 2008 and the location on Hudson Pond was a challenge in itself. A pond it certainly was and special friction piles had to be laid on the watery base. Head of the Lanskey construction team, Site Manager Glen McDonald had his work cut out with those responsible for securing the solid foundation required to work in effect, under water as they drove the piles down into the sludge until they took hold and the real work could begin.

If there wasn’t enough water around already, to add to their woes it soon began to rain and it was heavy tropical rain that wouldn’t stop. It would take its toll and eat into the construction schedule costing around 6 months in lost time.

Of course, no one knew at the time that water would soon become their greatest enemy.

Watery Hudson Pond was just the beginning of what should have been a relatively straightforward project that would be severely challenged in the months ahead.

Page 16 - Australian Ports News

The site was relatively small at only 1.3 hectares with all the usual restrictions and logistical problems caused by any confined site and the scope of the project was extensive and highly complex.

Lanskey’s project team commenced work by clearing the land and completing the associated civil works, before installing 522 concrete driven piles to a depths of 16 – 20 metres. A concrete bund area was constructed with a 2.4 metre high concrete containment wall using over 2000m3 of reinforced concrete.

Six main steel storage tanks were constructed featuring 2 x 5 million litre tanks, 2 x 3 million litre tanks and 2 x 1 million litre tanks. The largest tanks were 20 metres in height.

To accommodate the Polymer Modified Bitumen process (PMB), six 10 metre x 4 metre process tanks were transported from Melbourne and installed on the site. These tanks were positioned upright.

All of the tanks along with the associated pipe work were all fully clad with layered insulation and then covered with aluminium sheeting to allow them to be heated. For bitumen to remain viscous the temperature must be over 140 degrees.

Office facilities were constructed as well as two large, electrical Motor Control rooms and two on-site electrical transformers were installed. Due to bitumen heating requirements and automation of the facility, electricity was an important component and the electrical contract alone was valued in excess of $3 million.

To enable the bitumen to be transferred from ship to shore, to be stored either in its natural state or to be modified and then, when required loaded on to trucks for delivery to the end user, hotline pipework was critical. The Lanskey team installed and connected kilometres of pipe work and incorporated heat tracing to ensure that the bitumen could be transported from the Townsville Wharf and stored at its required high temperature.

Around 450 metres of hotline pipe work was used simply to connect the wharf to the facility.

All the pipework was then insulated and clad to retain that heat.

Environmental concerns were also considered and a unique component within the pipe works was the installation of a $2.5 million Fume Extraction System (FES). The purpose of the FES is to capture and incinerate

any of the pungent smells associated with bitumen manufacture and processing. To ensure complete removal of fumes, the diesel fuelled incinerator runs at a temperature of 850 degrees.

One of the major works conducted by the Lanskey team was the construction of structural steel access stair towers and pipe supports. Steel was also used in relation to the PMB Plant Building to construct a special elevator system and screw conveyors to feed two preparation tanks (Shredder and bender tanks) for processed bitumen.

Over 500 tonnes of galvanised steel work was installed on the site and included the construction of a covered gantry for the 2 truck unloading facility. An automated system allows the driver to self-load and despatch the finished product to local asphalt processing facilities at any time of the day or night.

The facility itself is pure state of the art and the movement of the bitumen product through the pipe work, PMB Building, Gantry Unloading and Wharf line is monitored and controlled by a computerised system. The system, located in the central control room, also has full control over pumps, valves and operating temperatures and minimal staff are required to operate the entire facility.

The final project components included items related to fire services, landscaping and the facility enclosure.

Lanskey Faces The Ultimate Construction Challenge Despite all the heavy rain that had interrupted the building schedule during the early days of the project, construction had been underway for almost two years and nearing completion, when in the early hours of Thursday February 3rd 2011 an extreme climatic event, cyclone Yasi, emanating from a low pressure cell near Fiji slammed into Queensland’s north east coast. Amongst the homes and many pieces of infrastructure standing in its way was the semicompleted Port of Townsville bitumen facility.

When faced with nature’s unforgiving wrath there is little that can be done, particularly at short notice, but the Lanskey project team did everything they could to prepare the site for what was heading their way. Anything on the site that could be tied down loose was secured using chains attached to concrete blocks.

However, the recently installed huge 20 metre high storage tanks complete with cladding were a clear target in the cyclone’s path so ballast was provided by half filling them with water.

Although Townsville was not to feel the full fury of Yasi’s 280kph winds it held enough venom to wreak havoc on the exposed coastal areas with waves reaching heights of around 10 metres When the collateral effect of Yasi hit the site it brought with it a massive amount of water and in its wake the construction site was left almost hidden under a half to a metre of water.

The storage tanks to a large extent held their ground, the ballast had certainly helped but little could be done to provide extra security for the roofing on the tanks and they met with a different fate and couldn’t withstand the mighty winds. The force of the cyclonic wind ripped the tank roofing away and with it the insulation material and cladding which was completely destroyed, left waterlogged and in tatters some distance away from the site.

Such was the force of the cyclone that even the thick heavy chains, used to secure material containers on the site, were actually snapped from the concrete blocks and blown asunder.

Construction Manager, Paul Paddison and Site Manager Glen McDonald reflected on the devastation faced in the aftermath of the cyclone’s fury but at the time their immediate thought was to get back on the job and to move forward as quickly as possible in order to complete the project.

In many ways they considered their situation to be a fortunate one in comparison to the impact of the cyclone on those who lived and worked in the region. These were people who had endured the full devastation of Yasi and who had seen their homes and lifestyles destroyed in just a few minutes by the excessive forces of nature.

“We were relatively lucky and when you have the kind of relationship that we have with our clients, even when you are dealing with the extraordinary after effects of a cyclone, it is much easier to regroup.

We simply got on with the job and what may have been a negative became a positive. In fact, following the collateral damage caused by the cyclone we incorporated a few extra features that value added to the project.

For instance with the storage tank insulation and cladding destroyed we looked for a better solution. Instead of renewing the traditional insulation, we used a special membrane paint specifically developed for insulation purposes and proven in Europe, so in the future the facility will not be faced with the same loss under cyclonic conditions.

Having experienced such heavy rainfall and witnessed the cyclone’s effect on the coastal waters we also reinforced the revetment walls with extra concrete to provide greater strength and resistance to improve the security of the site.”

When combined, the earlier heavy rainfall and the collateral damage caused by the cyclone meant serious delays in the construction process. According to Paul Paddison around 12 months was lost over the duration of the project.

As any construction company knows, it’s hard to make up that much lost time but Lanskey Constructions was not to be deterred and following a four year tumultuous construction journey, the company overcame the odds and on February 7th 2013 BP’s $50 million bitumen import and manufacturing facility was officially opened by David Crisafulli, Queensland Minister for Local Government.

What is remarkable, given the extreme events that inflicted the work site and the fact that it took over 250,000 man hours to complete the project, there was not one,

single lost time injury.

Lanskey Constructions provide both on and off-site management and the company has an excellent reputation for cultivating safe workplace practices. There were also no lost time injuries on the completed Brisbane project which involved 400,000 man hours.

In fact, having visited the BP site in Pinkenba, Workplace Inspectors used the project as a model, representative of best practice in workplace safety. The results certainly speak for themselves. No lost time injuries over two projects involving 650,000 hours.

With Lanskey, the future has never looked brighter Forgive the cliché but Lanskey Constructions epitomizes the ‘quiet achiever’ tag. Over the last 27 years the company has quietly but clearly demonstrated an extraordinary diversity within the construction sector. No project whether big or small or how challenging, has come anywhere near to stretching the limits of this interesting and dynamic company.

The company has enjoyed a constant and steady growth since it first opened its doors and there is a simple reason why this has been achieved and why it is sure to continue well into the future.

When the company was established in 1986 a particular growth strategy was implemented by management to ensure that Lanskey Constructions did not over extend itself.

Preferring instead to control its growth by limiting its operations and choosing quality over quantity. Its aim was to establish first and foremost a reputation for excellence both in the delivery of projects and in the manner by which client relationships were cultivated.

Managing Director, Paul Lanskey, who exemplifies the concept of ‘local boy made

good’, hails from the Townsville area, and puts it this way.

“We’ve always believed in an open book approach to our clients. We consider that we are both sharing the journey and everything is up for discussion to ensure for our part, that everyone involved is cognisant of all the elements involved in any particular project.

A successful delivery is a win-win for both parties and at the end of the day that’s our only focus Therefore, good communication between stakeholders is paramount to ensure that outcome and establishing trust plays an important part. We believe being open and honest in all our dealings with clients is the only way to go.

We have many long term clients and it is a great way to start each day because we’re often involved in projects where genuine partnerships have already been established and so the planning and delivery of a project although comprehensive, is an enjoyable process.

The second most important component is our management and on-ground project teams and from the outset our recruiting processes have been geared towards ensuring a high level of skill within our workforce. It provides us with the ability to adapt and perform the full scope of any project requirement.”

Lanskey’s long standing connection with BP Australia is an example of a how diligently the company has worked to cultivate solid working relationships with its broad array of clients and demonstrates the advantages of the company’s ‘open book’ policy.

Since it began around 18 years ago, the relationship under a partnering agreement with BP has been governed by Lanskey’s ‘open book’ policy. The system is not simply about establishing trust and from the start of any major project, barriers that may impede progress are removed to ensure that the client,

Lanskey Constructions Management & Blackport Project Delivery Team would like to congratulate BP Australia on the successful commissioning of what has been globally recognised as state-of-the-art facilities at Port of Townsville and Bulwer Island – Brisbane.

It has been a privilege for Lanskey Constructions to have worked alongside the BP team for the four years it has taken to bring these major capital investments to fruition.

Brisbane (Head Office) 21 Engineering Street Salisbury Qld 4107 Postal: PO Box 151 Salisbury Qld 4107 Phone: (07) 3258 9000 Fax: (07) 3274 3391

in this case BP can commence work on the site much earlier than traditional construction processes would normally allow.

Speed of execution without compromise to quality and promotion of efficient controlled work practice can flourish without unnecessary restrictions. It’s a formula that Lanskey Constructions applies to all key clients and in itself sets in place the benefits that can be achieved in a practical way to contribute to a loyal, trusting partnership between the company and its clients. The focus by all involved is clearly on the delivery of the project without distraction.

Lanskey’s versatility cannot be underestimated and when you look at the vast range of clients on its roster, it provides just a glimpse of the company’s extraordinary construction capability and the eclectic mix of large and small projects completed successfully.

Here are just a few: BP Australia; Caltex; Endeavour Energy; Energy Australia; Woolworths; Shell Australia; Origin Energy; Siemens; Woolworths Petrol; Incitec Pivot; Suncorp; Energex; Integral Energy; McDonald’s; Target; Coles and the Queensland Government.

The list of clients highlights the company’s diverse, construction expertise in the delivery of service stations and truck stops; factory and storage facilities; fast food outlets; supermarkets and shops; offices and fit-outs; airport radar towers; power and substation infrastructure as well as schools, campuses and government buildings.

The honour roll of BP projects includes 5 motorway service stations in and around South East Queensland & Northern New South Wales and numerous service stations throughout the country. Then there’s the bitumen and marine oil processing and storage facilities in Townsville, Brisbane and Hobart as well

as other BP Australia projects dating back 15 years or more.

A National presence and a focus on Quality Along with strict adherence to the principles and work practices required to deliver consistent high standards of construction quality, Lanskey Constructions has, since 1986, gradually extended its operational reach.

Having achieved, through its tailored recruitment process, a workforce complete with the full range of skills required to complete any construction task, the company wanted to ensure that there would be no geographical limitations to its growth potential and over the years it has slowly spread its wings.

Lanskey Construction headquarters is in Salisbury near Brisbane but the company also has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and a new office opening in Townsville.

This has enabled Lanskey to seek and deliver projects successfully not only in metropolitan areas but also regionally in all states.

The project experience gained in the Port of Townsville was no doubt invaluable in terms of meeting unforseen building challenges head-on and overcoming even the forces of nature. Lanskey Constructions didn’t need to prove anything but prove it they did. The BP facility is now fully operational and considered to be a highly successful delivery without compromise.

It shows that Lanskey Constructions can rise to any challenge and there’s an obvious message; this is a company founded on simple but sure strategies and when you have everything and everyone in the right place there are no limits to what you can achieve.

For more information about Lanskey Constructions visit: www.lanskey.com.au

Some of the construction features; •

Six steel bitumen storage tanks 2 x 5 million litres; 2 x 3 million litres; 2 x 1 million litres.

•

Six steel storage tanks to process Polymer Modified Bitumen

•

Concrete bund area – 2.4 m containment wall with 2000m3 reinforced concrete

•

450 metres of heated insulated pipes for transfer of bitumen from ship to shore

•

Office facilities; Central Control Room and 2 large electrical Motor Control Rooms

•

Fume Extraction System to capture and incinerate pungent smells

•

Covered steel gantry for 2 truck, fully automated unloading facility

•

Over 500 tonnes of galvanised steel work for access stairs and pipe supports.

•

Elevator system and screw conveyors to feed bitumen shredder and bender tanks.

•

There were no lost time injuries over the two projects involving 650,000 man-hours.

Sydney 132 Adderley Street Auburn NSW 2144 Postal: PO Box 6121 Silverwater NSW 2128 Phone: (02) 8737 9100 Fax: (02) 8737 9111

Melbourne Unit 1/38-42 White Street South Melbourne VIC 3205 Postal: PO Box 5057 South Melbourne BC VIC 3205 Phone: (03) 9684 1300 Fax: (03) 9684 1301

Bulwer

Townsville (right & below)

Perth 24 Millrose Drive Malaga WA 6090 Postal: PO Box 1990 Malaga WA 6944 Phone: (08) 9203 2400 Fax: (08) 9248 8475

www.lanskey.com.au Email: lanskey@lanskey.com.au

Page 17 - Australian Ports News

Newcastle Agri Terminal Feature

An efficient grain terminal experience driven by passion Jock Carter

Logistics are Jock Carter’s bread and butter and in his quest to find better ways to move something from A to B, it’s a pursuit that has now placed him firmly on the cusp of providing a far better solution for the grain sector particularly in how its product is delivered, stored and exported.

S

EEKING BETTER answers for the movement and storage of grain was a natural progression for a man brought up on a farm in New South Wales and schooled in his preferred subject of transport logistics. It was a qualification that took him around the world on a Churchill Fellowship as he extended his studies into learning how the world moves things. His extensive tour provided a further insight into international, best practice transport systems.

Of more relevance to where he is today, Jock paid particular attention to those

international port facilities that epitomised grain supply chain efficiency.

Learn much as he did, it was never going to be enough for Jock Carter because he had already seen inefficiencies in the transport of grain in Australia and so he returned determined to find answers and create a better solution.

Of course, not much comes easy when you are trying to establish a worthwhile business enterprise. Particularly when, to a large extent, you are going where no man has been before. There are always hurdles to jump and mountains to climb and

following a long journey of frustration, setbacks and small triumphs, Jock Carter can now see the horizon. In fact he can almost touch it as his company Newcastle Agri Terminal (NAT) established in 2009, is about to complete the construction of a new state of the art agricultural export terminal in Newcastle.

It is the first of its kind in Australia and also the first major grain port development in NSW in over 25 years.

Fortunately, Jock hasn’t been alone in his quest and as luck would have it his business partner and fellow Executive

Director, Martin Mackay is equally as passionate and they are very much a tight team, united with a strength of purpose.

Together they are the ideal partnership as Martin was raised on a grain farm, knows the business back to front and has an acute understanding of the unique demands faced by the grain farmer on any given day.

Their upbringing is highly relevant given their chosen profession and both have worked in senior corporate agribusiness roles.

Investment is a key requirement in bringing the grain terminal to fruition and Martin has been highly active in sourcing sufficient funds to ensure that this worthwhile project can be completed.

“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

Silo foundations www.skyviewarial.com.au

Page 18 - Australian Ports News

Newcastle Agri Terminal Feature

term employment in Newcastle and will be a catalyst for the growth of other new business in the Hunter region.

It also has the potential to reinstate Newcastle as the principal grain port of east coast Australia,” he said.

Investment for the project has been provided by the executive team and three leading grain exporters Glencore Grain, Olam and CBH Grain.

From Jock’s perspective these are clearly exciting times as the terminal approaches completion which is anticipated by August this year. He sees the project as an opportunity to restore competitiveness into the grain sector and to provide a more cost effective choice for grain farmers in the delivery of their grain to the end user.

The final design of the terminal has been achieved during an extensive consultation process conducted over the last three years. Jock and Martin met regularly with grower groups, grain exporters, planning authorities and the local community to ensure that the new terminal would meet the expectations of all stakeholders and interested parties.

Although the long term success of every business relies on making a profit, both Jock and Martin have a strong sense of community and regard the Newcastle region as their home. They believe that apart from the obvious economic benefits due to the location of the terminal, that potentially its presence will create more

business investment interest in the region.

This should even extend to an uplift in the provision of transport related services in the metro and port area of Newcastle and attract other related business to the port.

Jock and Martin are very much handson and are responsible for overseeing construction as well as the ongoing management of the terminal.

The new terminal will also incorporate some very important features which will serve to maintain and even enhance the quality of grain whilst in storage.

According to Jock; “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.

Storage capacity at the terminal itself will accommodate around 60,000 metric tonnes of grain and in terms of efficiency it will have the capacity to unload trains and on load to Panamax vessels at 2000 tonnes per hour.

Finding a site wasn’t easy and there were a few disappointments along the way however, Jock is extremely pleased with the eventual site and typically, now that construction is underway, it’s turned out to be the most ideal site amongst the ones they looked at earlier. 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.

Whilst sport tends to dominate with regard to heroic expression in the media, the real heroes in Australia are those who risk their own and their family’s financial security to launch a new business and in turn create employment.

We are fortunate in Australia that there are many people who continue to take that chance.

For that reason alone, Jock Carter and Martin Mackay deserve to succeed. They undoubtedly have the passion and theirs is a great initiative in a region that like so many, always needs an inspirational story and the next new job.

Grain designs DESIGNING THE NEWCASTLE AGRI TERMINAL

E

NGINEERING CONSULTANCY Lindsay Dynan has played a significant role in the design of the new grain export facility currently under construction in the Port of Newcastle, NSW. Lindsay Dynan has provided civil and structural design for the rail unloading facility, grain storage silo complex, ship loading wharf extension and conveyor foundations. In addition, Lindsay Dynan has played a key role in coordinating the activities of the other design consultants and equipment suppliers who have provided specialist international grain handling expertise to the project.

Lindsay Dynan associate engineer Simon Gerrish, design manager for the project, said that the design of the terminal had presented some challenges.

These include the limited space available on site and the fact that the terminal’s construction had to be planned to minimise disruptions to the rail corridor serving the site and to the berth in the harbour which it will share.

Mr Gerrish said the terminal is designed to receive 2000 tonnes of grain per hour by rail utilising a 35m-long unloading pit under the rail tracks to receive grain from bottom-dump rail wagons – two at a time.

In order to minimise construction time and overcome high groundwater constraints,

the unloading pit is to be constructed from two 120 tonne reinforced concrete pre-cast units constructed adjacent to the site and craned into position within a shored excavation during a period of rail track possession.

The project also involved extending the steel wharf structure supporting the ship loader rails by 60m to a total length of 190m in order for the new grain ship loader to be able to accommodate larger vessels. Mr Gerrish said that Lindsay Dynan had been responsible for designing the rail support structure and steel piling for the extension.

He said the piling system is especially noteworthy because it had been designed in collaboration with local piling contractor Civilbuild to be installed from the land which minimised construction costs by removing the need for a barge.

The first row of piles is to be installed by a land-based pile-driver and then those piles used to support the machinery installing further rows of piles.

Lindsay Dynan Consulting Engineers has offices in Newcastle, Sydney, Perth and the NSW Central Coast. They are a specialist civil structural engineering consultancy with extensive experience in the design and multi-discipline design management of bulk materials handling solutions for various industries throughout Australia.

Australian Ports News - Page 19

Green Light for Port of Melbourne Capacity Project

The Port of Melbourne’s Port Capacity Project includes establishing a third international container facility at Webb Dock which previously operated as a container terminal until the early 1990’s. The works will see a new, upgraded 660 metre wharf, strengthened aprons and related backbone infrastructure, ready for the successful bidder to occupy and commence operations in late 2016 “Through this Project we are focused on ensuring a positive future for the existing port users, shipping lines and businesses recognising the need to conduct the works with as little disruption as possible to port users,” Mr Bradford said.

“This is large scale infrastructure and it is being delivered in the middle of a working port - there will be some berth closures and some delays are likely, however the ‘business of the port doing business’ will be a core focus and that message will be clearly conveyed to the construction contractors as part of their compliance plans approvals and site induction programs.

“The creation of a new international container terminal and the consolidation of Victoria’s automotive trade are absolute priorities alongside the continued operations of existing Port businesses such as those that service the important Tasmanian and coastal trade.”

The Port of Melbourne Corporation has carefully considered the best use for the 175 hectares of land that makes up the Webb Dock precinct, which is the last significant vacant land parcel available at the Port.

This has further highlighted the need to seek and deliver greater efficiency and productivity gains alongside the inclusion of new technologies and innovation – an approach being driven by the competitive bidding process.

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ork has commenced on the $1.6 billion expansion of capacity at the Port of Melbourne, following the Victorian State Government’s granting of planning approval for the Project.

In making the announcement, the Government reiterated its commitment to ensuring the Port of Melbourne remains Australia’s premier container, automotive and general cargo port.

According to the Government, expanding the Port’s capacity will create around 3000 jobs and enhance the economic future of Victoria by providing short to medium term cargo handling capacity.

The centrepiece of the Project will be the construction of a new international container terminal capable of handling at least one million TEU per annum at Webb Dock, previously a container facility up until the mid-1990s.

The Project also includes the consolidation of Victoria’s car and automotive trade at a new facility to be built at Webb Dock West, opposite the new container terminal, as well as an integrated ‘onport’ automotive pre-delivery inspection facility, and scope to enhance capacity at Swanson Dock, currently the location of the Port’s two international container terminals.

Port of Melbourne Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Bradford, said the start of works and planning approval were the latest in a long list of significant milestones for the Project, and added that the objective was to keep the momentum going.

“The Government has entrusted us to deliver the largest landside port development project in a generation to expand container and automotive capacity.” Mr Bradford said.

“We don’t shy away from the fact that this is a significant project for Victoria and for the future of the Port of Melbourne as Australia’s premier trading gateway. We are committed to ensuring a positive future for port users, shipping lines and businesses and understand there is a vast amount of work to be done,” he said.

Planning approval for the Project coincided with the departmental endorsement of the Project’s rigorous Environmental Management Plan, a non-negotiable ‘rule book’ that sets out the environmental rules and monitoring governance.

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Above: Victorian Premier Dr Denis Napthine, and the Minister for Ports Mr David Hodgett announced the start of works on 14th March “We have established one of Victoria’s most stringent environmental controls for infrastructure delivery,” Mr Bradford said.

“We are committed to delivering this Project to new benchmarks in environment and sustainability, and are seeking the same high standards from bidders competing for the rights to operate the new facility.”

Mr Bradford said all three market offerings for operators had attracted an impressive field of high calibre, private sector bidders.

“The bid process is being conducted under a strict probity regime,” Mr Bradford said. “Doing business at the Port of Melbourne is a significant, unique opportunity and not unexpectedly the offerings are all well subscribed.”

The successful bidder for the new international container terminal will be appointed enabling

operations to start in late 2016. Operators for the pre-delivery inspection hub and the open access automotive terminal are expected to be appointed in time for expedited commissioning of new facilities.

The new automotive terminal to be established will have the capacity to handle more than 600,000 motor vehicles annually rising to around one million vehicles in 2040. In addition, the predelivery inspection hub will reduce the shuttling of imported vehicles between the Port and off-site facilities, utilising new dedicated road connections between Webb Dock and Melbourne’s M1 West Gate Freeway.

Mr Bradford affirmed the Port’s commitment to ensuring that works would be carried out in a manner that minimises impacts on existing trade and shipping movements.

Project Snapshot: • New container terminal to handle at least one million TEU per annum at Webb Dock • New three berth, 920 metre automotive wharf to consolidate Victoria’s auto trade at Webb Dock • Expanded pre-delivery inspection hub for on-port processing of cars and other vehicles • Additional capacity at Swanson Dock, currently the Port’s main container facility • Dredging within Webb Dock to accommodate modern vessels • New road connections to Melbourne’s freeway network • Extensive landscaped buffering, noise walls and open space development

Lifting to new heights with the Vulcan C90 empty container handler T

variable displacement load sensing system also allows for much faster cycle times through increased lifting speeds.

HE demand for high-quality customer-specific solutions is increasing. As a result of this growing trend, MLA Holdings has on offer the Vulcan C90 empty container handler with 9-tonne lifting capacity using a 4.0metre wheelbase, which can stack 8´6´´ containers to 7 high.

- The Hydrostatic drive gives fast and smooth acceleration and deceleration also improving cycle times, it also heavily reduces the wear on brakes and the machine is decelerated through hydraulic braking. As braking is mostly done in the hydraulic pumps and drive motors and not with the use of friction brakes

The most important development with the new Vulcan C90 is the changeover to the hydrostatic drive and lift transmission. As seen in the previous H100 to H180 heavy diesel trucks with a 10–18 tonne lifting capacity, this new model, empty container handler now accelerates smoothly and responsively using dual pedal control.

For driving speeds of up to 16 km/h, the engine revs at just 1500 RPM, which makes it extremely efficient. The coupling, gearbox, differential and service brake are no longer necessary, which means that gear changing procedures are no longer a worry to drivers as well as high cost and mechanical wearing parts now being a thing of the past. This subsequently means lower maintenance costs.

- Double box spreader. This new DBS 10 Double box spreader enables a lifting capacity of 10t with twin 40’ Containers.

This new spreader also has large vision windows to allow the operator to see the twist lock pockets with ease.

Like with all Vulcan machines the C90 is capable of remote diagnostics and error message SMS to either our service team or to the owners supervisor, also you can dial in to the machine and diagnose as well as make changes to the machines system to ensure excellent uptime availability.

MLA Holdings is lifting to new heights with the Vulcan range, and the C90 is no exception.

Features & Benefits: - Variable displacement piston pumps, and hydrostatic drive, with load sensing technology. This means reduced fuel consumption (up to 20%) due to the more efficient use of the engine revs through the load sensing system. The

For more information on the Vulcan C90 please contact MLA Holdings:

Vulcan C90

www.mlaholdings.com.au or 131 652

Leaders in Container Handling

131 MLA For more information www.mlaholdings.com.au Australian Ports News - Page 21

Work begins on $1.6 billion port project C Flinders Ports Restructures for a Shipshape 2013

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OUTH AUSTRALIA’s leading ports operator, Flinders Ports has formally announced the restructure of its business recently. The move follows exceptional growth and sees the creation of Flinders Port Holdings Pty Ltd as the parent company for six distinct business divisions with Chief Executive Officer, Mr Vincent Tremaine heading the group.

“This new structure has resulted from a review of our activities and opportunities for future expansion. It will allow greater focus on each individual business unit and enhance the distinct and separate nature of each business,” said Mr Tremaine.

The new structure has meant personnel changes within the group. Stewart Lammin formerly General Manager of Business Development has become General Manager for the entire ports business - Flinders Ports.

Andrew Pellizzari, is General Manager of Flinders Logistics and Peter Cheers, former General Manager of Human Resources & Marine Services is now General Manager of Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal Pty Ltd. Flinders Port Management Services, Flinders Ports Land Development and Flinders Spencer Gulf Ports are the other business units in the group, which complement the Ports division, the fast growing Logistics business and the Container division acquired from DP World South Australia in July 2012.

“The emphasis for the group in 2013 will be on improvement and efficiency. We will be modernising the business, investing in new equipment and driving growth,” said Mr Tremaine.

Above: Mr Vincent Tremaine, Chief Executive Officer, Flinders Port Holdings

HE Port Hedland Port Authority (PHPA) has recorded a 29% increase in throughput for the first month of 2013, compared to the same time last year.

A total throughput of 22.8 million tonnes (Mt) was achieved for the month of January compared to 17.7 Mt in January 2012.

Throughput figures for the financial year-todate (July 2012-Jan 2013) have increased by

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Dr Napthine said the work would include purpose built road connections and a world class automotive facility with additional shipping berths and much needed ‘on-dock’ pre-delivery inspection facilities catering for Victoria’s growing car trade.

“This is a project of massive significance that will create 1,100 new direct jobs and 1,900 indirect jobs in the export, import and freight sectors,” Dr Napthine said.

“It will also protect thousands of existing jobs and cement the Port of Melbourne’s position as Australia’s busiest container port, and ensure Victoria remains the nation’s freight and logistics capital.

“The works at Webb Dock have been expedited enabling Melbourne’s third container terminal and new world class automotive facilities to be operational in late 2016.

“The Coalition Government is getting on with the job of ensuring we have the necessary capacity to meet growing trade demands, generating additional employment, protecting existing jobs and boosting the economy,” Dr Napthine said.

Mr Hodgett said the competitive bidding process for the right to operate the container and automotive facilities were progressing well.

“The market offerings to be a part of the Port of Melbourne at Webb Dock are well subscribed by private sector operators who are fiercely competing for the rights to develop their businesses here,” Mr Hodgett said.

Above: Minister for Ports, David Hodgett “This project is subject to strict environmental and amenity management regimes which will apply to all works on the Webb Dock site.

“These rules set new benchmarks for construction works and include community and environmental standards while also providing the highest level of transparency and accountability.

“The declaration of the start of works today marks the beginning of an important milestone in creating jobs and protecting Victoria’s economic future,” Mr Hodgett said.

The first container is scheduled to cross the new dock in late 2016.

Bulk mineral exports from Burnie set to triple

Increased Throughput for the First Month of 2013

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ONSTRUCTION has commenced at the Victorian Coalition Government’s $1.6 billion Port Capacity Project with Premier Denis Napthine and Minister for Ports David Hodgett celebrating the landmark occasion.

13% with a total of 158.8Mt compared to the last financial year.

Iron ore exports for the financial year-todate have also increased by 13%, with 153.7Mt recorded, compared to 136Mt for the last financial year.

Imports to the PHPA have grown 25% this financial year with a total of 1.15Mt, compared to 925,743 tonnes last financial year.

Above: Resources Minister, Bryan Green

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ESOURCES Minister Bryan Green said a new mining project on the North West Coast would triple bulk mineral exports through the Burnie port and pour tens of millions of dollars into the Tasmanian economy.

Mr Green said Venture Minerals planned to ship more than a million tonnes a year out of Burnie from its new Riley iron ore mine west of Tullah.

“The Riley mine will inject around $40 million a year into the Tasmanian economy through jobs, transport, contractors and other services.

“Subject to final approval, the mine is expected to start mid year with 20 jobs during construction and 60 direct new jobs when it’s operational,” Mr Green said.

“Work is also set to begin soon on a multi million dollar upgrade of Burnie’s port infrastructure following Government funding to help improve access and the logistics of the precinct.”

Mr Green said bulk exports from the Burnie port would increase to well over 1.5 million tonnes a year when the new mine at Riley Creek

is operational.

“This highlights what a key industry mining is for Tasmania and the potential it offers for wealth generating opportunities and jobs.

“The North-West and West Coasts have some of the most highly mineralised and prospective areas in the world and I am confident we will see more new mines in the region.

“The Government is absolutely committed to supporting further investment in exploration, mining and processing.

“I have recently approved a new mine to be developed by Shree Minerals near Balfour, and the Riley mine is one of three major projects Venture Minerals is developing in the NorthWest.

“Venture Minerals has already supported over 90 local businesses and invested more than $30 million in Tasmania in the past five years.”

Mr Green said that in addition to Riley, a mining lease had also been granted to Venture for its Livingston project, near Tullah, and it was finalising plans for its Mt Lindsay tin and tungsten mine nearby.

“The Mt Lindsay mine alone will be worth $200 million and create up to 1000 jobs during construction.

“As we can see with the Burnie port, the flow on benefits from this increasing mining activity are enormous for the North-West and the broader Tasmanian economy.

“That is why the Government fought so hard against the proposed heritage listing of the vast majority of the Tarkine region.

“We will continue to work with the mining industry to help bring the current projects and future mines to fruition, so that all Tasmanians can benefit from the jobs and economic benefits that these exciting new projects will deliver,” Mr Green said.

Ship’s master and owners fined for pollution in Great Barrier Reef

Maritime reform introduction draws nearer

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HE Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has recently completed a large-scale community consultation period in preparation for the introduction of some of the largest maritime reforms in Australia’s history.

This March, the National System for Commercial Vessel Safety will come into effect, as will the revised Navigation Act 2012, with the changes affecting all commercial vessels transiting Australia’s waters.

The community information days in October and November 2012 were held around the country, with over 1400 people attending to learn about the changes and the impacts on their businesses. It was also an opportunity for the maritime sector to learn more about

AMSA’s activities in search and rescue, marine environment protection and navigation safety.

The National System for Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety will see AMSA become the national regulator for domestic commercial vessel safety standards, with set of standards across the country. It will mean a more efficient and consistent system for commercial vessel operators and making transiting the Australia easier.

The Navigation Act 2012 will modernise the way international shipping is regulated, providing for high levels of safety and protection of the marine environment through transparent and flexible regulation.

More information on each reform can be found at AMSA’s website www.amsa.gov.au.

Above: The MV Hope Star was prosecuted recently for illegal dumping of food waste in the Great Barrier Reef

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HE master and owners of bulk carrier Hope Star have been fined and had criminal convictions recorded following the illegal dumping of garbage in the Great Barrier Reef.

The vessel’s owners Hope Star Shipping Company Ltd were fined $5000 and the Chinese master was fined $300 after food waste was discharged 210km north-east of Gladstone on 29 June 2012.

During a routine port State control inspection

on 6 July 2012 at Gladstone Port, Australia Maritime Safety Authority surveyors identified the position recorded for the vessel’s garbage disposal to be within the Great Barrier Reef and prohibited by the ‘nearest land’ provision of Marine Pollution Convention.

AMSA welcomes the court’s decision and hopes it serves as a deterrent to vessel owners and operators to ensure they meet all environmental regulations while transiting Australia’s waters.

Spillcon 2013 registrations now open

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EGISTRATIONS for Spillcon 2013, the Asia-Pacific oil spill and preparedness conference, are now open at www.spillcon.com.

Spillcon will be held in Cairns, Queensland from 8-12 April 2013.

The conference will host a range of national and international delegates and speakers, bringing together local, regional and global environmental and shipping representatives across industry, government and non-

Above: Community-consultation-Brisbane AMSA meets with maritime industry representatives in Brisbane to discuss the major reforms coming into effect later this year

government organisations.

Some of the issues that will be discussed include cause and prevention, preparedness, response management and environmental issues. The event also includes an expansive exhibition and an On-Water Display. A separate one-day specialist workshop will be held on the fifth day of the conference, which will provide an excellent opportunity for interactive debate between presenters and delegates.

For more information about Spillcon 2013 visit www.spillcon.com.

The Asia-Pacific oil spill and preparedness conference, Spillcon 2013, will take place in Cairns from 8-12 April

AMSA and CSIRO join forces to improve maritime incident response

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HE Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and CSIRO have joined forces to tackle major maritime pollution incidents.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding, AMSA will draw on the scientific knowledge

and technical support of CSIRO before, during and after a maritime environmental incident, such as an oil spill, to help understand the impact of pollution on the surrounding marine environment.

CSIRO’s significant expertise and experience

in maritime and marine science will serve AMSA’s need for immediate advice during an incident response to ensure timely decisions can be made that help minimise impact, and monitor Australia’s marine environment against oil spills, pollution or damage from a vessel collision or grounding.

The types of projects CSIRO may undertake

for AMSA include preparedness planning, such as drawing on CSIRO biodiversity and natural resources knowledge; incident support, including providing direct advice to the incident response team during an incident; long-term impact assessments following incidents and research projects which can increase incident response efficiency.

Above: AMSA will work with CSIRO during marine pollution incidents, such as the Montara oil spill in 2009, to minimise the environmental impact of these incidents Australian Ports News - Page 23

Rous Head Industrial Park infrastructure contract awarded to Brierty Ltd

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REMANTLE PORTS has awarded a $13m contract to civil and mining contractor Brierty Ltd to construct roads and install services on reclaimed land at Rous Head.

The works include construction of a number of roads, including a public access road and cycle path along the new seawall, and construction of a truck marshalling area, adjacent to a new Caltex truck stop.

Construction of the roads and other

infrastructure will start in January 2013 and is expected to be completed at the end of June 2013.

The project is registered to pursue an infrastructure sustainability (IS) rating through the Australian Green Infrastructure Council.

The IS rating framework developed with industry input is currently being used on a number of projects Australia-wide to deliver sustainable outcomes.

The 27 hectares of Rous Head Industrial Park land, which was reclaimed during the most

recent Fremantle Port Inner Harbour deepening, will be used for port-related purposes. As well as the truck marshalling area there will be container storage, quarantine service facilities and logistics operations.

The development will improve freighthandling efficiency, reduce truck congestion and improve road safety for trucks and public vehicles.

An expression of interest process was undertaken for leasing and developing the land.

As well as Caltex Petroleum Services Pty Ltd, new tenants will include Rous Head Cargo Services Pty Ltd, and Tyne ACFS and ACFS Port Logistics (Tzaneros Investments Pty Ltd).

Rous Head Cargo Services will develop a six-hectare site for container logistics, Customs activities, quarantine warehousing and services.

Tyne ACFS and ACFS Port Logistics will develop an empty container park and logistics facility. Tenants for two other development sites will be announced in future.

Trelleborg Wins Three Contracts to Supply Bespoke Docking and Mooring Equipment to Australian LNG Developments

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RELLEBORG Marine Systems has been awarded three contracts to supply docking and mooring equipment and monitoring software to all three liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects on Queensland’s Curtis Island.

Queensland Curtis LNG is the world’s first project to turn coal seam gas into LNG. It is currently one of Australia’s largest capital infrastructure projects and will see an investment of over $20billion from 2010 – 2014, when it will provide cleaner hydrocarbon energy for export.

The development will expand QGC’s current coal seam gas production in the Surat Basin of southern Queensland and build a 540km network of buried natural gas pipeline, linking the gas fields to Gladstone. Finally, a natural gas liquefaction plant will be developed on Curtis Island, to convert the exploited gas to LNG for export.

Trelleborg have won contracts to supply

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all three ongoing projects on the Island: Queensland Curtis LNG, Gladstone LNG and Australia Pacific LNG. After working closely with contractor John Holland Group, Trelleborg was chosen to supply the projects thanks to their ability to provide the comprehensive range of products, integration of systems and the level of support required in local regulatory guidelines and hazardous area standards.

Simon Wilson, Managing Director of Trelleborg Marine Systems’ Docking and Mooring division, said: “We are very pleased to have been awarded all three contracts on Curtis Island and I feel it’s a testament to the experience and expertise that we’ve built up in the LNG industry.

“We’re looking forward to continuing to work closely with John Holland Group to execute these demanding projects and assist Bechtel in delivering three distinct solutions to the specific requirements of the principal end-users involved: BG Group, Santos, PETRONAS, Total, KOGAS

and Australia Pacific LNG.” Trelleborg will supply the three projects with Quick Release Hooks with load monitoring and remote release, Laser Docking Aid Systems, GPS Piloting Systems (PPU), MetOcean and environmental monitoring systems, integrated marine monitoring systems and workstations with the integrated data being made available to the client’s Distributed Control System (DCS) systems.

For Queensland Curtis LNG, a bespoke solution was required to meet the specific project need for on-board operators to have a comprehensive view of environmental conditions through a single interface. To meet this challenge, Trelleborg integrated the ‘carry on board’ laptop data unit with the Portable Piloting Unit (PPU), so that operators have access to all data from the shore side system through one display. The inclusion of an AIS (Automatic Identification System) allows the vessel’s pilot or master as well as marine operations personnel at shore to view local vessel traffic within the

same display systems.

Gladstone LNG will also be supplied with Trelleborg’s Marine Monitoring system, including an Environmental and MetOcean monitoring system. The data from all sensors and subsystems are consolidated through one central system, to provide operators with a complete view of the local environmental conditions, approach, mooring and de-berthing operations at the Curtis Island terminal.

Australia Pacific LNG required a similar integrated marine monitoring system. As with Queensland Curtis and Gladstone LNG projects, Trelleborg’s supply contract included an industry standard ship-to-shore safety link (SSL) which provides emergency shutdown, communications and data link. As Trelleborg’s Marine Monitoring data repeater software is installed on the majority of the world’s LNG vessels, the inclusion of the integrated SSL systems at the three Curtis Island sites provides compatibility for trade with the world’s LNG vessel fleet.