NORTH Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation is to soon begin maintenance dredging at Weipa.
Dredging is to be completed at Amrun for mining company Rio Tinto.
Dredge vessels TSHD Brisbane and Oranje are to work within the Port of Weipa and Amrun from about 3 June and to 17 July.
NQBP chief executive Nicolas Fertin said this year’s maintenance dredging program was more extensive than previous years due to wild weather.
“Cyclones Owen, Penny and Trevor, combined with a large monsoonal event this year have contributed to an increase in siltation at the Port of Weipa,” Mr Fertin said.
“As a result, this year’s maintenance dredging program will be longer in duration and will use two dredge vessels.”
Mr Fertin said maintenance dredging works are an integral part of the port’s operations.
“In the same way we maintain roads and rail lines for freight transport, we need to look after our port infrastructure to keep trade flowing,” he said.
“NQBP manages the annual maintenance dredging program at the Port of Weipa – a program that has run for more than 30 years.”
“Regular maintenance dredging ensures efficient, navigable shipping depths for our port users.”
Monitoring and management measures are to be implemented throughout the campaign to minimise the environmental risk.
