Dredging operations at Australia's global deep-water gateway have received a major boost with the launch of Port of Newcastle's new multipurpose “sweeper vessel”, Lydia.
More specifically, the bed levelling vessel will work with the port's hydrographic survey team and dredger David Allan to provide safe, deep-water access to the port.
According to Port of Newcastle’s CEO Craig Carmody, Lydia will enhance the overall efficiency of current dredging operations while improving post-flood recovery efforts.
“As the busiest port on Australia’s east coast with more than 4,600 ship movements annually and a gateway for trade worth around US$36 billion to the national economy, maintaining safe access is crucial to the Port’s operation and so the addition of a multipurpose “sweeper” to compliment the work that is already being done by our survey and dredging team is an important investment for the Port,” Carmody said.
“The Lydia will not only improve day-to-day efficiency of our maintenance dredging, but it will play an important role in flood events like the one experienced recently by limiting the amount of sediment that can accumulate on the channel floor,” he added.
“This capability, along with a rapid and pre-emptive response, will reduce the recovery time and impact on shipping movements within the port,” he concluded.
Lydia is equipped with a 9-meter, 20 tonne sweep bar, which is connected by hydraulic operated cables.
It is designed to level out the channel by pushing material from shallow to deeper areas in sections where it has been dredged.
In fact, it can be raised or lowered to the required depth and during flood events it can be used to “churn-up” sediment in areas that are more prone to silting.
Executive manager marine operations Glen Hayward said the vessel arrived in Newcastle late last year and has been retrofitted to improve safety, reliability, and operational capabilities.
It should be noted that Lydia will be based at Dyke Point and will operate five days a week during an initial six-month trial phase.
