NORTH Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation has completed annual maintenance dredging at Weipa.
NQBP chief executive Nicolas Fertin said the dredge vessel TSHD Brisbane left the port 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.”
Mr Fertin said they worked closely with 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,” he said.
Mr Fertin also thanked the Weipa community for their patience.
“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 Weipa for more than 30 years.
Bed levelling was also completed at Amrun for Rio Tinto, with hydrographic surveys revealing dredging was not required. Meanwhile survey vessel QG Norfolk is to depart Weipa around 7 June.
