AUSTRALIAN Amalgamated Terminals say the decommissioning project for their Deer Park ship-to-shore crane is currently underway, while noting some weather challenges have occurred.
The 40-year-old STS is being removed to make way for a new mounted crane: a Liebherr LPS550 rail mounted portal crane, which is scheduled to arrive in October this year. The project began on 9 June.
In a project update seen by DCN, AAT Brisbane terminal manager Steve Jorgensen has said the Deer Park’s crane boom has been successfully removed.
As a result, berth 1 will now have some availability for PCC vessels on weekends and during the week outside of demolition hours.
Vessels can use the berth during the week after 1700 but must depart by 0500 the following morning. Mr Jorgensen added that cargo operations are to be conducted via the stern ramp only, with possible restricted access to ships’ service cranes.
The update also made mention of setbacks experienced as a result of weather.
“We have been experiencing unusually high winds for this particular time of year and this has unfortunately delayed the project slightly”, Mr Jorgensen said in the email.
“With the delays experienced so far, we now expect to complete the decommissioning project on 1 August 2024.”
The original completion date was listed as 27 July.
AAT originally chose this time of year to conduct the demolition for more predictable weather, with “less chance of strong winds and extended rain”.
Mr Jorgensen says AAT has been able to keep vessel delays to a minimum by utilising the Port of Brisbane’s grain berth, as well as AAT berths 2 and 3.
As the grain berth is a common user berth however, it is subject to availability from a varied vessel schedule. Mr Jorgensen commented on this, “At this stage, the Grain Berth will be unavailable for PCC vessels until 27 July 2024. We are currently assessing which PCC vessels scheduled to arrive before and after this date will be suitable for the Grain Berth”.
“AAT will continue working closely with our demolition contractors, PBPL and the Grain Corp and we will be monitoring our Berthing Schedule to try and minimise any disruption to vessel operations.”
Mr Jorgensen has previously said the works are necessary and will help AAT provide a more efficient facility in the future.
