What is the aim of the Port Phillip Bay channel deepening project and where will channel deepening occur?
The project’s aim is to modify the shipping channels to enable access for 14m draught vessels to the Port of Melbourne in all tidal conditions. Current channel depths mean more than 30 per cent of container ships cannot load to full capacity and business misses out on the lower freight costs that arise from the economies of scale associated with larger ships. The project will complete the following: • dredging of existing shipping channels including the Yarra River Channel, Williamstown Channel, Port Melbourne Channel, South Channel and the Great Ship Channel at the Entrance • dredging of berth pockets at Appleton Dock, Swanson Dock, Holden Dock and Gellibrand Pier • placement of dredged material into two dredged material grounds (DMG); one in the north of the bay and one in the south of the bay • modifications to existing infrastructure including berth works, river works, protection of services, upgrades to existing navigation aids and installation of new navigation aids The dredger w
