Western Australia's new floating dock a world-first, Grylls

Author: Brendon Grylls
Published on: 09-February-2010

Lands Minister Brendon Grylls and Commerce Minister Troy Buswell today officially launched the most technically advanced floating dock and transfer system in the world at the Australian Marine Complex (AMC) in Henderson.

The new floating dock is part of a four-year $170million upgrade to the AMC which also includes self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs), the eastern wharf and a transfer wharf.

The State Government expects the floating dock would add more than $2billion to the State’s economy over 25 years through naval contracts as well as up to $100million a year for resources-related projects.

The 99 metre by 53 metre dock can lift vessels weighing up to 12,000 tonnes out of the water for service and maintenance and facilitate the water-to-land transfer of vessels up to 3,500 tonnes.

Mr Grylls said the dock’s capabilities were vital for supporting the Royal Australian Navy Collins Class submarine fleet which would be serviced at the Common User Facility until at least 2032.

The first submarine was scheduled to dock at the AMC in early 2010.

“This new $60million floating dock is a world-first and we are very proud to be launching it today,” Mr Grylls said.

“No other dock in the world can move in more than one direction at a time and very few docks have the capability to transfer and offload vessels.”

Mr Buswell said the new infrastructure would significantly enhance the common use capabilities of the AMC and link Western Australian industries with the development and operation of major resources, petroleum and defence projects.

“The addition of the floating dock to this important facility will ensure it remains at the forefront of major project delivery in this State,” Mr Buswell said.

“In particular, the dock will play a major role in assisting local industry to capitalise on opportunities from the 2009 Defence White Paper.

“A significant benefit for the fabricators that already use the Common User Facility for building oil and gas projects is also that it can be used to test subsea components before they go to site.”

The Government is currently looking at a range of options regarding the second stage of the dock.

The floating dock is supported by a 512-wheeled self propelled modular transporter that can move vessels up to 3,500 tonnes anywhere within the AMC by one operator with a remote control.

The SPMTs will be available to all Western Australian industries to use at the complex and together with the floating dock will make a major contribution to the economy of WA.

The six-year upgrade project was delivered by LandCorp, the Department of Commerce and AMC Management Pty Ltd.