Jan De Nul Starts Channel Dredging Project at Port Headland

The Pilbara Ports Authority (PPA) contracted with Jan De Nul Group to dredge the channel and at the Port of Port Hedland in Australia.

The project forms part of stage two of the Channel Risk and Optimisation Project (CROP), an important PPA initiative to sustain the long-term operation, development and future growth of the port of Port Hedland. For the last several years, Jan De Nul Group has performed capital and maintenance dredging works at the Port Hedland.

For the current project, Jan De Nul Group will mobilize the large self-propelled cutter suction dredge Niccoló Machavelli with a total installed capacity of approximately 24,000 kW. The project is expected to be completed by mid 2019 and will provide, once completed, an emergency passing lane alongside the shipping channel, enhanced water refuge zones and increased water depth in targeted areas of the access channel.

Port Hedland is situated on the North-West coast of Australia and is Australia’s largest export port by annual throughput. It is also the largest bulk mineral export port in the world with iron ore being the main export commodity.