wharf modules for Karara Iron Ore
Project
Sattahip, Thailand – Geraldton, Australia
MV “Svenja” successfully completed the transportation and
positioning of five wharf modules weighing up to 700 tons
for the new Iron Ore Export Facility (berth no. 7) in the
Port of Geraldton. The modules were loaded in Thailand
and transported to site in Geraldton, where they were dis-
charged onto stabbing piles. Two major issues had to be
overcome in order to make this happen:
1.
An innovative mooring solution had to be developed to
ensure a safe and stable position of the vessel alongside
the unfinished berth.
Fast Precision work
2.
The Port of Geraldton is very exposed to the swell, sta-
tistically only one in four days is suitable for heavy lift crane
operations. Therefore any low-swell-windows had to be
used to ensure an on-time completion.
The target to complete the operation was six days, but the
Geraldton Port Authority and others familiar with the difficult
conditions at the port expected it to take at least ten days.
Despite the challenging conditions, the SAL team managed
to perform a safe and very efficient operation. Thanks to
the high stability characteristics of MV “Svenja”, a type 183
vessel, and the skills of the vessel’s Master and crew, all
modules were discharged to their position in just five days
– two days earlier than scheduled.
arf m
Type 183
1 3,4