Dredging Program
Port of Melbourne has ongoing dredging obligations to ensure the safe passage of ships visiting the port.
Dredging has been routinely conducted in Port Phillip and the port area for over 100 years to maintain the declared channel depths and allow the safe navigation of vessels and the efficient transport of cargo.
Each year approx. 2,600 ships visit the Port and larger vessels require greater draught. This means the distance between the bottom of the vessels’ hull and seabed need to accommodate the biggest ships.
95,000 hectares of Port waters are managed by the Port of Melbourne with 52km of shipping channels requiring dredging every two years.
Port of Melbourne will soon be undertaking dredging and sweeping works in and around the Southern and Northern areas of Port Phillip Bay.
Routine dredging works ensure that the declared depth at, and in the vicinity of, berths and channels in the Port of Melbourne are maintained for the safe operation of shipping.
From mid-April to mid-May 2025 activity will be taking place in the following areas of the port:
- South Channel
- Appleton Dock
- Swanson Dock
- South Wharf
- Maribyrnong
- Yarra River Channel
- Webb Dock
- Gellibrand Pier swing basin
- Williamstown Channel
- Western By-Pass Channel
- Eastern By-Pass Channel
Port users may see our contractors Boskalis Australia Pty Ltd and Polaris Marine Pty Ltd. carrying out these works.
The Notice to Mariners for the works can be found here.
To download the project’s Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Click here.
For more information call 1300 857 662 or email port.dredge@portofmelbourne.com