e-Bulletin Issue 5, 1 September 2016
Welcome to the regular e-Bulletin on Next Generation Port Otago, updating you on progress across the Next Generation capital works programme.
Multipurpose wharf extension
Preliminary design and geotechnical work is well advanced on the new $15 million wharf extension which will add 135m to the existing 300m multipurpose (Container No 2) wharf at Port Chalmers. The extension will cater to bigger container vessels of more than 280m in length, bringing the overall capital cost of the Next Generation upgrade to $45 million. It will involve the positioning of 156 piles into bedrock supporting a concrete deck capable of withstanding crane loads and straddle services. Tenders for the extension will go out in September with a construction timeline of between 12-15 months from May next year.
A-Shed – the extension to A-Shed to increase warehousing capacity and cater for increasing numbers of cruise ship passengers at the Port, is on track for completion by early October. Pre-cast panels are now up and the roof is scheduled to go on during September.
Flagstaff Hill – The Port has initiated remedial work at Flagstaff Hill at Port Chalmers, which will include returning the road to Back Beach back to its original alignment.
A-Shed extension under construction
Arihi arrival
Port Otago are the proud parents of a 200-tonne bouncing baby tug, the Arihi, which was offloaded last Thursday afternoon after a 16,000 km journey from Tuzla, in Turkey. At just under 19m in length, the Arihi has a 30-tonne bollard pull, which will be put to good use towing the barge Hapuka to complete phase two of the harbour dredging programme to 14m by mid 2017. The new tug will also work alongside the 24m Otago and Taiaroa tugs as a backup for ship moves. The $6 million Arihi, named after the grandaughter of local chief Karetai, was built in Turkey and completed its sea trials there before being loaded aboard specialist cargo ship the MV Deltagracht for the 16,000 km journey to Port Chalmers.
Check out the ODT website for the story and video, and a timelapse video of the unloading on Youtube.
The Arihi being unloaded from the MV Deltagracht
Environmental monitoring
The current status of key monitoring elements can be viewed at: http://nextgenerationportotago.nz/channel-deepening/monitoring-summary-dashboard/Turbidity – Port Otago continues to monitor turbidity levels at sites within the harbour and offshore during dredging works.
To date, no dredging related exceedances have occurred. More information can be found on the Turbidity Monitoring page of the Next Generation Port Otago website.
Seagrass Monitoring – The latest quarterly seagrass monitoring showed the typical seasonal variation in abundance and density, with no impact associated with dredging identified
Kelp Monitoring – The 3rd quarterly dive survey transect lines was completed in early July at sites between Warrington and Shag Point. The measurement of light and regular download of data at these monitoring locations is ongoing.
