Jan de Nul dredging works at Port Hedland
Australia’s Pilbara Ports Authority (PPA) has contracted Belgium’s Jan De Nul Group to dredge the channel and further enhance the safe and sustainable access to Port Hedland.
The project forms part of stage two of the Channel Risk and Optimisation Project (CROP), an important PPA initiative to sustain the long term operation, development and future growth of the port.
Over recent years, Jan De Nul Group has been the lead contractor on the majority of the capital dredging works as well as the maintenance dredging works within the port precinct of Port Hedland.
During the first quarter of this year, Jan De Nul Group has been mobilising the large self propelled cutter suction dredger Niccolo Machiavelli, which boasts a total installed power of 24,000 kW. The project is expected to be completed this summer, at which time it will provide an emergency passing lane alongside the shipping channel, enhanced water refuge zones and increased water depth in targeted areas of the access channel.
Port Hedland is situated on the northwest coast of Australia and is the country’s largest export port by annual throughput. It is also the largest bulk mineral export port in the world, with iron ore being the main export commodity.
Pilbara Ports Authority facilitates some $140 million of trade through Port Hedalnd every day, which currently requires the safe and efficient management of approximately 6,000 vessel movements in the port each year.
By Larz Bourne
