Australian Maritime Safety Authority completes $15.5 million project to repair Port Hedland navigation aids

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has completed a two-year $15.5 million project to repair and rejuvenate essential navigation aids off the coast of Port Hedland. The project was commissioned in 2019 after Tropical Cyclone Veronica caused significant damage to electrical equipment, access ladders, platforms, day markers and fenders along Hedland’s coastline. The AMSA replaced the 13 aids to navigation, increased the height of aid platforms, and installed new platforms and above-water pile sections to reduce the impact of storms. AMSA executive director Mark Morrow said the project would increase the lifespan of important maritime infrastructure around Port Hedland “The efficient and safe movement of shipping is essential to Australia and our economy,” he said. “This project will add another two decades to the lifespan of this vital safety infrastructure. “Working in these conditions can be challenging as was experienced here, and I congratulate the project team and contractor Austral Construction on a job well done.” During the project, workers had to contend with strong tides, winds and waves, as well as the risks posed by passing large ships. Work on the project was halted in April due to Cyclone Ilsa. During the cyclone, the specialist ‘jack up’ barge and supporting vessels used for the project were taken to a cyclone refuge close to Port Hedland. Port Hedland exports iron, lithium and salt and is the largest bulk export port in the world