Port Hedland Navigation finished aids project on busiest bulk Port 

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has finished a significant $15.5-million two-year project, to fix and revive fundamental guides to route (AtoNs) off the bank of Port Hedland, Western Australia. 

The project, which spanned more than two years, was started by AMSA in response to the harm brought about by Severe Tropical Cyclone Veronica in 2019, which annihilated electrical gear, access stepping stools, platforms, day markers, and bumpers. 

As a part of this project, AMSA supplanted the highest point of 13 AtoNs, put in new stages or more water heap segments, and expanded the level of AtoN stages, to decrease the risk of wave impact from storms. 

A large portion of the on-location works were embraced utilising expert raise jack-up, however, different works required the utilisation of rope access professionals, jumpers and riggers. 

AMSA executive director response Mark Morrow said the task exhibits AMSA’s obligation to guarantee AtoNs around Australia are kept very much kept up with and functional. 

“The efficient and safe movement of shipping is essential to Australia and our economy. This project will add another two decades to the lifespan of this vital safety infrastructure.  

Working in these conditions can be challenging, as was experienced here, and I congratulate the project team and contractor Austral Construction on a job well done,” Morrow said. 

Maritime services company AMS Groups has held the agreement for the AtoN upkeep for over twenty years. 

AMSA as of late stopped the delicate interaction for a 10-year agreement to keep up with aids to route around Australia. In July, a representative for the authority told DCN its “approach to the market has not identified a suitable contractor”.