Australia: Construction is about to begin on the newest container wharf at the Port of Brisbane.
Brisbane-based construction company, Smithbridge Australia, will build the new wharf, which will be operated by Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) on completion.
HPH will operate Wharf 11 and the future Wharf 12, becoming the Port of Brisbane's third container stevedore.
Port of Brisbane (PBPL) Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Coleman, said the awarding of the construction contract illustrated the company's ongoing commitment to the long-term growth and development of the port.
"On the completion of wharf construction we will have invested around AU$90 million (US$86.33 million) in the development of this facility, and HPH will also invest significant capital in the development of Terminal 11," Mr Coleman said.
"The completion of Wharves 11 and 12 will increase the port's container handling facility by 25 percent, and take the number of dedicated container wharves at the port to nine."
HPH will begin Terminal 11 construction in 2011, and operations are due to commence in late 2012.
Construction company Smithbridge Australia has extensive experience in marine construction.
At the Port of Brisbane they have previously worked on the Wharf 8 and General Purpose Wharf projects, and are also currently working on the Captain Bishop Bridge Project.
"Smithbridge have always completed port projects to a high-quality standard, and they operate a safe workplace with strong environmental controls," Mr Coleman said.
Wharf 11 will have a total wharf length of 350 metres with 381 wharf piles to be installed.
