Australia: Infrastructure Heavyweights Compete for Melbourne Port Project

The $1.6 billion redevelopment of the Port of Melbourne has attracted a high calibre list of civil and maritime construction specialists all competing for two significant work packages.

Port of Melbourne Corporation Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Bradford, confirmed the short listed bidders for the maritime and civil works packages. Together, the works will deliver the ‘backbone’ infrastructure necessary to develop a third international container terminal and a world class import/export automotive facility within the port’s Webb Dock precinct.

“This is a major undertaking; however the successful civil and maritime contractors will have to undertake these works in the middle of a busy, working port while meeting the stringent conditions of the Project’s Environmental Management Plan,” Mr Bradford said.

“In evaluating the proposals from the short-listed bidders we will be looking for design innovation, value for money and timely delivery in a manner that minimises the impact on port trade” Mr Bradford said.

Delivered under a ‘value managed’ design and construct contract, the civil works within the Webb Dock precinct includes the construction of new roads connecting the terminal directly to Melbourne’s freeway network as well as installing services and utility access for the 175 hectare landside area.

Maritime works, also delivered under a design and construct regime, include the dredging of around 2.3 million cubic metres within the dock which is around 10% of the volume dredged during the Channel Deepening Project. The works will replace Webb Dock’s original island pontoon with the construction of a new 920 metre wharf, increasing quayline and berthing capacity for the automotive terminal expansion.

Short-listed bidders for both packages are encouraged to utilise local suppliers wherever possible further underscoring the significance of the Project to the Victorian economy.

Announcement of the successful bidder for the Civil (Roads and Services) package is expected later this year with the appointment of the maritime contractor in early to mid-2014.

Civil (Roads and Services) short-listed bidders:

– BMD Constructions Pty Limited;

– Fulton Hogan Construction Pty Limited;

– John Holland Pty Limited.

Maritime short-listed bidders:

– Baulderstone Pty Limited;

– Leighton Contractors Pty Limited’

– McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Limited.

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Press Release, June 20, 2013