TASPORTS, along with contractors BridgePro Engineering and Wagstaff Piling, has begun work on a 16-month program of essential remediation work on Burnie’s Berth 4, the Strait Link terminal.
Berth 4 was previously known as McGaw Pier South, earlier Emu Pier, and was built over the port’s original breakwater. In August 2024 TasPorts was forced to impose some load restrictions on parts of the terminal after areas of scouring were discovered beneath the quay wall.
TasPorts interim CEO Allan Gray said the works will focus on maintaining safe and reliable operations, while upgrading the port’s ageing infrastructure.
“TasPorts has undertaken extensive bathymetric surveys and engineering analysis to build a detailed understanding of the berth, including further scour identified this year following the earlier detection in 2023.
“These works are about making sure the Port of Burnie continues to operate safely and efficiently, both now and into the future,” Capt Gray said.
“Remediating port infrastructure that is approaching 150 years old is complex, and requires careful planning and delivery to strengthen the berth while ensuring it can continue to be used by a daily shipping service.”
Capt Gray said the staged remediation program uses a combination of specialised ground improvement techniques, informed by months of detailed design and feasibility studies.
The contracting of BridgePro and Wagstaff was awarded following successful remediation pilot trials carried out last year.
“We’re working closely with our construction partners and Strait Link to address the identified scour and prioritise works where we can, while minimising disruption to freight operations,” Capt Gray said.
While TasPorts does not anticipate disruption to Strait Link’s vessels at Berth 4, it will be possible to use the adjacent Berth 5, at which alternate ramp/apron facilities were constructed modifications to accommodate the current vessels Tasmanian Achiever II and Victorian Reliance II were introduced in early 2019.
Tasmania’s Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Kerry Vincent said the remediation investment reinforced the importance of Burnie as a critical enabler of Tasmania’s economy.
“The Port of Burnie plays a central role in how goods move in and out of Tasmania, handling around 45% of the state’s containerised freight,” Mr Vincent said.
Earlier this year TasPorts reached a long-term lease agreement with Strait Link to continue operating from Burnie.
“With this remediation work now underway, Strait Link is able to operate with confidence as we play our part in ensuring supply chain stability that benefits our customers but also consumers,” Strait Link CEO Geoff Gruebner said.
The complexity of the project can be measured by TasPorts’ March 2025 expectation that it could be completed by October that year. The project is now on track for practical completion by mid-2027.