Port of Burnie infrastructure program commences

The remediation works at Berth 4 are being delivered across a 16-month program, designed to strengthen the berth while maintaining port operations. 

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Kerry Vincent said the investment reinforced the importance of Burnie as a critical enabler of Tasmania’s economy. 

“The Port of Burnie plays a central role in how goods move in and out of Tasmania, handling around 45 per cent of the state’s containerised freight,” Minister Vincent said. 

“Berth 4 is home to Strait Link’s dedicated Bass Strait shipping service, which Tasmanian exporters and importers depend on. 

“Our Government is committed to delivering modern infrastructure solutions to keep Tasmania’s economy strong and resilient.” 

TasPorts Interim Chief Executive Officer Allan Gray said the works will focus on maintaining safe and reliable operations, while upgrading the port’s ageing infrastructure. 

"TasPorts has undertaken extensive bathymetric surveys and engineering analysis to build a detailed understanding of the berth, including further scour identified this year following earlier detection in 2023. 

“These works are about making sure the Port of Burnie continues to operate safely and efficiently, both now and into the future,” Mr Gray said. 

“Remediating port infrastructure that is approaching 150 years old is complex, and requires careful planning and delivery to strengthen the berth while ensuring it can continue to be used by a daily shipping service.” 

Mr Gray said the staged remediation program uses a combination of specialised ground improvement techniques, informed by months of detailed design and feasibility studies. 

BridgePro Engineering and specialist engineering firm Wagstaff Piling have been contracted to deliver the works, following successful remediation pilot trials carried out last year. 

“We’re working closely with our construction partners and Strait Link to address the identified scour and prioritise works where we can, while minimising disruption to freight operations,” Mr Gray said. 

The announcement follows TasPorts reaching a long-term lease agreement with Bass Strait shipping provider Strait Link to continue operating from the Port of Burnie. 

Strait Link Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Gruebner, said the infrastructure upgrade reinforces TasPorts’ leadership in the local logistics sector. 

“When we signed a new agreement with TasPorts to operate from the Port of Burnie for up to another 30 years, we knew we were partnering with an organisation that is serious about its responsibility to provide world-class logistics infrastructure,” Mr Gruebner said. 

“With this remediation work now underway, Strait Link is able to operate with confidence as we play our part in ensuring supply chain stability that benefits our customers but also consumers.” 

The project is on track for practical completion by mid-2027.