The Dampier Port upgrade Project thus far: of the 5 million man hours worked, the last 4 million were lost time injury (LTI) free; 3.2 million m3 of dirt/rock has been removed; 35,000m3 of concrete poured; and more than 15000t of steel erected.
A significant milestone in the Dampier Port upgrade was achieved this July when four ships were simultaneously berthed at Parker Point.
It has taken more than $2 billion, 5 million man hours and three years to transform Parker Point from a single-berth port with a single ship loader to a four-berth port with two ship loaders, and new reclaimers, stackers, dumpers, screen houses and supporting conveyors.
Rio Tinto’s Coastal Operations general manager Mike Spreadborough said the achievement, which brought some closure to the Dampier Port upgrade project, would bring significant benefits in terms of reduction in lost tides and ship turnaround times, and increased shiploading capability.
“The new shiploaders are able to slew from north to south, enabling them to service vessels on either side of the wharf and they can also dual load one ship,” he said.
“These functions allow the efficient and safe loading of vessels when exposed to a variety of variables.
“The pilots have been sent to Launceston for simulation training to help them safely berth ships in a variety of conditions despite the more complex berthing procedures resulting from the extension.”
Mike congratulated the Coastal Operations and Expansion Projects teams for their continued efforts and teamwork which enabled this massive wharf transformation to occur with minimum disruption to the process.
This article was first published in Coastal News [September 2007, Issue No. 2] – Rio Tinto’s Coastal Division Newsletter.