A long-term $70 million dredging contract has been awarded to ensure safe navigation depths at boat harbours and other key boating locations throughout Western Australia.
Following a procurement process led by the Western Australian Department of Transport, the potential ten-year contract was awarded to South Australian marine construction company, Maritime Constructions, which has a base in Fremantle.
The contract, worth up to $70 million, will see the company deliver the works for a period of six years, with the option to extend the contract for a further four years. The project is also expected to create ten regional jobs and 16 metropolitan jobs.
Maritime Constructions will be responsible for the maintenance dredging of Western Australia’s 38 maritime facilities. Annual sand bypassing at the Dawesville and Mandurah ocean entrances, which mechanically moves sand to mimic coastal processes and provide safe navigation, will also be undertaken by the company.
The long-term contract also has continuity of service and scheduling benefits for the Western Australian Department of Transport’s maintenance dredging program, along with cost efficiencies with the contractor expected to complete between eight and ten projects each year.
Western Australian Transport Minister, Rita Saffioti, said, “This is one of the biggest and longest contracts the Department of Transport will award, and the work carried out is absolutely essential to sustaining our maritime and tourism industries.
“The state has 38 maritime facilities and it’s essential we maintain safe navigational depths and access to the open ocean, including for emergency services.
“This is a significant contract that will see Maritime Constructions play an important role helping the Western Australian Department of Transport to keep people safe on the water and provide well maintained maritime facilities to empower a thriving community across the state.”
