Cape Lambert Port B - Capital Dredging Works

Requirements 

Rio Tinto Iron Ore is currently undertaking an expansion of the Cape Lambert port facility, which will increase the port's capacity from 80 million tonnes to 183 million tonnes by 2015. This project is part of Rio Tinto’s current plans to increase their annual capacity in the Pilbara region to 353 Mtpa, making this the largest mining project ever undertaken in Australia.

The expansion of the Cape Lambert port will be achieved through the construction of a new 1.8 km jetty and four-berth wharf to run parallel to the existing wharf.

The building of the new facility requires a capital dredging programme of more 3.5 Mm³ of material from the new berth pockets, turning basin and shipping channel, as well as significant marine and on-shore construction works.

We were engaged to provide onsite dredge supervision and project management for this ~$100 M dredging project using the cutter suction dredge, Castor, and trailer suction hopper dredge, Rotterdam.

With the works being carried out concurrently with other significant marine works (including construction of a new load-out wharf and associated marine piling) and in close proximity to the operating Cape Lambert Port A facility.

Our project engineers were key in the development of practical and innovative solutions to manage contract interfaces.

Solutions 

• Onsite dredge supervision and project management
• Daily co-ordination of dredging activities
• Monitoring of progress
• Daily liaison with and reporting progress to the customer
• Assistance/advice on contractual matters
• Managing interfaces between the dredging and other construction activities.

Benefits 

• Onsite supervision of dredging works
• Commercial contract consultancy
• Capital dredging works
• Construction program management.