A NEW CATA D9T dozer will provide enhanced service reliability at the Burnie Chip Export Terminal.
The delivery highlights TasPorts commitment to improving front-line capability, as well as overall fleet reliability at the north-west facility. The $1.5m dozer will undertake stockpile grooming and ship loading operations.
TasPorts chief operating officer Stephen Casey said 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 specialised wood chip blade to be installed around the supplied 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.
Mr Casey said the long-term sustainability of Tasmania’s ports is reliant upon ongoing investment in physical and digital infrastructure, to ensure TasPorts is responsive to user demand.
“TasPorts strategic intentions include a focus on facilitating freight and logistics solutions, to not only benefit the community, but to also create value for customers,” Mr Casey said.
