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Dredging A total of 22.9 million m³ of material will be dredged from the existing shipping channels as part of the Channel Deepening Project. Dredging will take place in four areas:
The Channel Deepening Project will set a new benchmark for dredging in Port Phillip Bay by incorporating some of the most stringent environmental controls in the world. A number of technologies will be used to complete the dredging program, including the use of Trailer Suction Hopper Dredgers which will undertake most of the works. Information on the dredging vessels can be found by following About the Dredging Vessels link on this page. Disposal of Dredge Material Dredged material will be disposed in two areas in Port Phillip Bay. The existing Port of Melbourne Dredge Material Ground (DMG) in the North of the Bay, and a new dredge material ground in the South of the Bay. Contaminated materials dredged in the north will be confined within an underwater clay containment area known as a ‘bund’, at the Port of Melbourne DMG, and capped with clean dredged sand. This will seal them off to prevent any adverse influence on water quality. A specialised pipeline fitted with a diffuser will lower the material directly to the seabed to reduce the potential for dispersion. Who will do the dredging? The Alliance Port of Melbourne Corporation has entered into an alliance agreement with Royal Boskalis, one of the world’s leading dredging contractors. Royal Boskalis has extensive expertise in minimising the environmental impacts of dredging. The company was awarded a certificate of excellence in environmental management by the Swedish Maritime Organisation. PoMC selected Boskalis from a number of leading international firms identified, as they bring best of practice specialist technology to the project and have demonstrated the capacity to undertake the work. More information about the dredging contractor can be found at the link on this page.
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