Annual dredging program at the Port of Weipa completed

4 Jun 2020
Capital works

NORTH Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) has successfully completed annual maintenance dredging at the Port of Weipa, overcoming the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

NQBP CEO Nicolas Fertin said the dredge vessel TSHD Brisbane left the Port of Weipa last week after finishing the 24-day program.

“I would like to commend all our staff and contractors for their hard work ensuring this project came to fruition,” Mr Fertin said.

“Across all our ports, NQBP is balancing our number one priority, the health and safety of our people and local communities, with the criticality of our ports.

“We certainly overcame some unique challenges in relation to COVID-19 to make sure we could deliver this project safely for all those involved.

“We worked closely with our contractors as well as Queensland Health, Maritime Safety Queensland, Weipa Town Authority and Rio Tinto to implement a Project Health Management Plan to control risks associated with COVID-19.

“The plan outlined safety measures in place for over 40 crew and other essential contractors required to travel to Weipa for the project.”

Mr Fertin also thanked the Weipa community for their patience and understanding during the project.

“One of the measures we had to implement due to COVID-19 was the frequent closures of the commercial Evans Landing Wharf.

“This allowed us to make sure that project personnel, equipment and resources could be transferred onboard the project vessels while maintaining physical distancing with the Weipa community.”

NQBP has managed the annual maintenance dredging program at the Port of Weipa for more than 30 years.

Bed levelling was also completed at Amrun on behalf of Rio Tinto, with hydrographic surveys revealing that dredging was not required.

Survey vessel ‘QG Norfolk’ will depart Weipa around 7 June.

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation contact:
Emilie Power | Community Relations Advisor
07 4969 0773 | epower@nqbp.com.au

Weipa Dredging in Photos

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