TasPorts geared towards growth to facilitate freight and logistics solutions

TasPorts is geared towards growth and its strategic intentions demonstrate this, with a focus on enabling industry partners and communities through reliable infrastructure, responsive to user demand.

To support this, earlier this month, TasPorts announced its vision to undertake a major multi-million-dollar redevelopment of the Macquarie Wharfs at the Port of Hobart. The initiative will enable growth in well-established key trade areas such as log exports, while actively supporting world-class Antarctic exploration and scientific research.

The recent inclusion of the redevelopment on Infrastructure Australia’s Priority List 2021 signals its national significance, supporting TasPorts commitment to actively futureproof the state’s ports for the benefit of all Tasmanians.

TasPorts Chief Operating Officer Stephen Casey said the critical component of this initiative is the development of a 720m continuous quay line at Macquarie Wharf 4, 5 and 6.

“The Macquarie Wharfs were originally built between 1969 and 1975, and whilst routine maintenance and remediation has been undertaken, a significant capital upgrade is now required to enable future growth,” Mr Casey said.

“The delivery of this initiative will see three multi-user berths constructed at one of the deepest sheltered ports in the southern hemisphere. It is also expected to generate up to 1,000 job-years during the construction phase, directly benefiting Tasmanian and Australian contractors.

“Our next step is to further engage with industry and to develop a compelling business case, creating value for both our customers and the State of Tasmania.”

The cost estimate for realising the initiative is approximately $150 million based on initial planning and scoping.

Moving towards the north of the state, TasPorts has welcomed a new CAT D9T dozer to the Port of Burnie, representing an investment of almost $1.5 million.

The delivery highlights TasPorts’ commitment to enhance service reliability at the Burnie Chip Export Terminal (BCET), with the dozer to be used for stockpile grooming and ship loading operations, improving front-line capability, as well as overall fleet reliability.

Mr Casey said that after being manufactured to full woodchip specifications for TasPorts, the dozer still required a bespoke solution to be used at BCET.

“TasPorts worked with local experts in mechanical design and fabrication at William Adams in Burnie to design a wood chip blade fitted with twin tilt cylinders, to be installed around the supplied 9SU blade,” Mr Casey said.

“The team from the fabrication shop at William Adams spent 300 man-hours manufacturing the wood chip blade, while further small modifications were made to suit operational requirements when managing woodchips.

“The BCET team and dozer operators are already providing excellent feedback about the performance of the DT9, with indications of improved efficiencies after only one week of operation.”

In addition, the new bulldozer has leading technical specifications and will result in reduced emissions, as it complies with U.S. EPA Tier 3 Final and EU Stage IV emissions regulations.

More than three million tonnes of forestry products transited through TasPorts facilities in 2019-20, which includes the Burnie Chip Export Terminal, the Port of Bell Bay and Southern Export Terminals at the Port of Hobart.

Images supplied: BCET