The Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy has granted conditional approval for Gladstone Ports Corporation’s Clinton Vessel Interaction Project.
According to the government, the approval was given to GPC to dredge approximately 800 000m³ from the existing Clinton channel and dispose the dredged material in the Western Basin Reclamation Area in Gladstone, Queensland.
In July 2017, the company lodged applications to the Federal Government to progress its Clinton Vessel Interaction Project. Following the completion of the mater plan for Gladstone in 2018, GPC lodged applications with the State Government for the assessment of the project.
Now with the approval received, GPC expects that the dredging will begin in the later half of 2019.
Project Background
As a result of increased Cape size vessels (draft over 14 meters) utilizing the Port of Gladstone in recent years, vessel interaction forces present an issue at GPC’s RG Tanna Coal Terminal (RGTCT).
Due to the current configuration of the Clinton Channel, Cape size vessels are required to pass within approximately 80 meters of vessels berthed at RGTCT.
Displaced water from the passing vessel may result in significant forces on the berthed vessels which poses a risk of vessels breaking mooring lines and moving off the RGTCT wharf.
Gladstone Ports Corporation’s Clinton Vessel Interaction Project aims to mitigate these issues and several options to improve the safe and efficient passage of vessels have been investigated.