Subscribe to Pilbara Ports Authority's quarterly e-newsletter, the Pilbara Portal, for the latest corporate, operational & community news from the ports of Ashburton, Dampier and Port Hedland.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE PILBARA PORTAL
CEO message
Welcome to the autumn edition of the Pilbara Portal.
Pilbara Ports Authority’s (PPA) ports are as busy as ever, and this edition provides an insight into some of the recent projects at Ashburton, Dampier and Port Hedland.
There is information about the Port of Dampier being awarded Unrestricted First Point of Entry status – the final step in being able to receive direct maritime freight from international ports. We also recently released the Port of Dampier Land Use Master Plan, which outlines the outlook for the port over the next decade.
PPA recently welcomed two new female cadets into the Marine Cadetship Program, and we look forward to sharing some of their stories in due course. This edition includes some insight from our Dampier-based marine cadet who recently returned from a voyage at sea which took him all over the world.
In Port Hedland, the Spoilbank Marina project has received its Federal environmental approvals, which opens doors to the next stages of work.
PPA is committed to supporting local communities. When Tropical Cyclone Seroja crossed the Western Australian coast in April as a Category 3 cyclone, it spared the Pilbara but caused devastation to the towns of Kalbarri and Northampton in the Mid-West region. PPA has donated $3,000 to the Lord Mayor’s Relief Fund and matched staff donations, in support of our regional neighbours.
Locally, we continue to support community groups through our Community Support Initiative. This edition highlights our long-term support for the North Pilbara Football League.
Please enjoy this edition of the Pilbara Portal – the last one of this financial year.
PoD FPOE
The Port of Dampier can now receive direct maritime freight from international ports, following Commonwealth biosecurity approvals.
This new service will enhance business opportunities, with companies now having the option to ship cargo directly into the Port of Dampier or the Port of Port Hedland. This service will reduce the reliance on cargo being transported by road from Perth, which incurs a significant cost, not to mention time.
Biosecurity facilities, including washdown bays and secure biosecurity holding areas, are being constructed at the Port of Dampier, which will enable the Port to receive a larger variety of cargo from overseas
This is also a great boost to the Pilbara economy, with Government-supported studies finding that direct shipment would see $120 million dollars injected into the Pilbara each year.
Marine Cadet
As an 18-year-old, Karratha local Ben Hobart wasn’t sure of his career choices beyond high school, that was until he found PPA’s Marine Cadetship Program.
The opportunity to see the world, working aboard different vessels and playing a part in the world of shipping, was both exciting and intriguing to Ben.
In 2019, Ben was awarded the first Dampier-based Marine Cadetship. He has now returned home from his second sea voyage and says he could not have imagined what a life changing experience it would be for him.
Ben recently presented to PPA staff about his seafaring journey to date, noting that he has visited more than 18 countries and docked at 22 different ports. One particular area that left a lasting impression was the polar region where temperatures plunge to minus 20 degrees Celsius.
PPA’s Marine Cadetship Program includes shore-based training and the valuable sea-time needed to earn a Deck Watch Keeper’s qualification.
More information about the program can be found here.
Spoilbank Marina
The Spoilbank Marina project has received the necessary Federal environmental approvals to proceed to the next stage of construction.
The Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) approval sets out the environmental conditions associated with the construction of the marina, including the need to comply with several environmental management plans linked to the approval.
PPA will work with site contractors to ensure these conditions are met as part of the works program.
Stage 2 involves three packages, including bulk earthworks and the construction of the marina basin footprint, dredging of the new navigation channel and construction of breakwaters and revetments. MGN Civil Pty Ltd was awarded the contract for the bulk earthworks and will be mobilising equipment to site in the coming weeks.
Berth 3
One of the Port of Port Hedland’s first shipping berths, Berth 3, is getting a major upgrade, with works commencing last month to remediate the rock wall and to refurbish the wharf piles.
The project will address the degradation of the rock wall that has been caused by decades of natural weather events, including Cyclone Veronica in 2019, and by port activities such as tug wash and vessel-induced waves.
Western Australian company Total AMS (TAMS) was awarded the $11.4 million contract to undertake these works. The company has committed to sourcing 15 per cent of materials, 75 per cent of its suppliers and 100 per cent of its contractors from within the Pilbara.
A priority of this project is to ensure Berth 3 remains fully operational while works are undertaken, with no impact to the import and export of goods.
The Berth 3 works are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
DLUMP
PPA has released the Port of Dampier Land Use Master Plan which charts the growth and future development needs for the Port of Dampier for the next decade.
The plan outlines existing and potential future uses of land and infrastructure at the port, along with the movement of freight and cargoes in and out of the port area.
The plan envisages:
Importantly, the plan identifies the need to protect and preserve the environment and heritage values in the port and surrounding areas.
For more information about the Dampier Land Use Master Plan, visit our website.
PPA NPFL
PPA is proudly supporting the North Pilbara Football League this season by contributing more than $11,000 to provide the game day balls.
This support is provided through PPA’s Community Support Initiative, which provides financial and in-kind support to community initiatives and organisations in Dampier, Karratha, Onslow and Port Hedland.
The North Pilbara Football League is a football community that is diverse and inclusive, with over 700 male and female players of all ages and abilities.
There is a huge cost involved in running a football league in the Pilbara, and this kind of support goes a long way in making the competition work.
PPA has contributed more than $70,000 to the League since the inception of the Community Support Initiative.
To find out more about PPA’s Community Support Initiative, visit our website.
PoA sign
Twelve square metres of electronic screen now greets visitors to the Port of Ashburton on their arrival to site.
PPA recently installed the digital sign to provide information about site access, contact details and safety alerts.
The Port of Ashburton is an unattended site, and is operated remotely from the Port of Dampier, making the sign an easy and effective method of real-time communication with visitors.
The messaging on the sign can be updated and changed immediately at any time of the day or night. Vital updates will include cyclone events, safety updates or when the Maritime Security Level changes.
Phil Christy
Captain Philip Christy joined PPA in late 2020 as the General Manager Marine.
Phil entered the marine industry more than 30 years ago. He served in the British Merchant Navy for a decade before moving to Associated British Ports. Phil worked for the Harbour Authority on the river Humber for 19 years, serving five years as a marine pilot and 14 years as Harbour Master.
Throughout this time, Phil has been involved in challenging incidents and recalls a time when he led his team’s response to a tidal surge and flooding event at the Port of Grimsby on the east coast of England. The response was a success, as it resulted in saving the residential and business areas of the town itself from flooding without injury or loss of life.
As PPA’s General Manager Marine, Phil will oversee the marine operations teams at PPA’s three operating ports. He will ensure the front-line operational teams across all ports are equipped with the correct resources and equipment to meet the everyday demands of running a port and, to offer support, advice and strategic guidance in the planning for the future.
Phil is also looking forward to helping guide PPA’s future growth as it develops new greenfield ports and takes on management of a further five ports in the Pilbara.