AUSTRALIAN Amalgamated Terminals at the Port of Brisbane have begun the decommission and removal of their Deer Park ship-to-shore crane to make way for a new mounted crane.
The now 40-year old Deer Park will be replaced by a new Liebherr LPS550 rail mounted portal crane, which is scheduled to arrive in October this year.
Demolition for the 80’s-era Deer Park began yesterday (9 June), and according to AAT management will take approximately one month to complete.
This has resulted in berthing restrictions for the terminal, which encompasses berths 1 to 3 at the Port of Brisbane’s Fisherman Island, with restrictions affecting berth 1 in particular, where the Deer Park is situated.
Site works will impact the availability of berth 1 until 27 July per the decommission project schedule, with the berth now unavailable in the initial stage from 9 July until AM on the 13 July, with further periods of unavailability to follow.
The restrictions will primarily affect PCTC and breakbulk ships, with the former now having to seek berthing at AAT’s berth 3 or the Fisherman Island Grain berth.
Breakbulk vessels may be impacted by a reduced space for cargo laydown on the shore side and schedule congestion.
AAT Brisbane Terminal Manager Steve Jorgensen said of the developments, “The addition of this new crane will provide AAT with greater capabilities to deploy shore-based cranes to help improve vessel productivity and reduce vessel dwell times alongside at our facility”.
“Once the new crane has been commissioned, AAT will have 2 x LPS550 rail mounted slewing cranes with 144T capacity each (230T dual lift) and 1 x Pacific 2000 STS crane on the quay line to service vessels at our Fisherman Islands facility.”
Mr Jorgensen said that July was chosen to demolish the Deer Park due to the weather being more predictable during that time of year and with less chance of strong winds and extended rain.
With the terminal now effectively reduced to two berths for large portions of the coming 18 days, AAT has said that the Grain Berth will be utilised for PCTCs where available and suitable, and to alleviate berth congestion and reduce vessel delays.
Mr Jorgensen said AAT will open the quayline at the demolition site during evenings and weekends to “facilitate vessel berthings and minimise any delays”.
“These works are necessary and will assist AAT to provide a more efficient facility in the future,” he said.
“AAT will work closely with our demolition contractors and will be continually monitoring our Berthing Schedule to minimise any disruption to vessel operations.”
This article has been updated to include comment from Mr Jorgensen regarding impacts to the terminal.
