Port of Melbourne Corporation

The growth in maritime trade in recent years has resulted in increased demand on wharf owners to extend the service life of their existing assets, while planning and constructing new infrastructures. Exacerbating the problem is that some of the existing assets are approaching the end of their original design life and are often required to cater for higher loads than originally designed. In some instances, the various elements of the wharf structures are experiencing advanced stages of deterioration, with spalling of the concrete cover and corrosion of the reinforcing steel posing further potential threat to the serviceability of the facility. This paper presents an overview of major repairs and strengthening works undertaken by Port of Melbourne Corporation of its eight container berths at Swanson Dock. It discusses the project scoping, planning and delivery challenges encountered to ensure that the project met its aims and objectives, while complying with the technical specification, as well as operational, safety and environmental requirements.