Berth upgrades

A consequence of deepening the shipping channels and accommodating larger vessels is that modifications, such as structural upgrades, are required on the infrastructure at shipping berths in the Port of Melbourne.

Bank protection works are also required along the Yarra River and Williamstown Channels to maintain stability of the river banks and the infrastructure along it.

Swing basin expansion

Increased ship size mean that the existing swing basin (where ships turn around when leaving or entering the docks) must be widened to the north and south in order to increase the swing basin diameter and maintain vessel safety in the Port.

Services protection

Five service and utility lines are located under the Yarra River Channel, including, the Melbourne Water Hobsons Bay Main Sewer, oil and gas pipelines and telecommunications and electricity network cables.

In addition to the above, an ethane pipeline crosses under the existing fairway within the extent of the southern extension of the Port Melbourne Channel.

As the CDP requires a reduction of the thickness of material overlying these services, protection measures, such as steel plate covers and grouted rock barriers, will be installed to reduce the potential for damage to services from shipping movements.

Installation / upgrade of Navigational Aids

Navigational aids are somewhat like the white markings on a road, they provide the ships navigators the operational boundaries of the shipping channel, to ensure the safe navigation of vessels through Port Phillip Bay. To ensure the ongoing safe navigation of vessels in the deepened shipping channels, the installation of new navigation aids and upgrades to existing navigation aids will be undertaken.