Home

Benefits to flow as port CROP work nears end

Daneka HillThe West Australian
The West logo

The $120 million upgrade to the channel ships use to access Port Hedland will reach its final stages in two months.

The creation of a refuge zone and an emergency passing lane is among work being completed on the 42km unidirectional shipping channel.

International dredging company Jan De Nul is being used for the channel risk and optimisation project, dredging since last year and removing remaining “high spots” and optimising the depth of the channel.

State Ports Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the upgrading of the channel would bring “significant tangible benefits” to the port and enhance shipping at the Port of Port Hedland.

“The CROP will ensure more efficient vessel access to the tidally restricted port, improving the service for all port users and supporting trade, industry and jobs in the Pilbara,” she said.

CROP is funded by the port improvement rate levy, a temporary charge on vessels entering and exiting the Port.

Port Hedland is home to the largest port in the world by bulk export.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails