Current projects

The Port of Melbourne has several projects underway, with more to come as part of our 2050 Port Development Strategy including:

Yarra River Services Protection Project

As part of the Channel Deepening Project in 2008-2009, the Yarra River Services Protection Structures were installed as a safeguard over three trunk services in the Yarra River downstream of the West Gate Bridge.

Port of Melbourne will soon be undertaking works including:

  • Visual survey of the grouted rock protection structure to inform defects​; and
  • Remediation of deteriorated grouted rock.

Works are scheduled to commence from week commencing 16 September 2024 and may take between 6-8 months to complete, subject to weather conditions and actual extent of defects. Port of Melbourne has worked closely with Ports Victoria to establish a set of protocols that provide maximum flexibility while facilitating these essential works.

Conformation of works will be issued via Notice to Mariners.

For further information a fact sheet can be downloaded here: Yarra River Services Protection Project Fact Sheet

A presentation on the project can be downloaded here: Yarra River Services Protection Project Presentation

Economic Impact Study

Port of Melbourne has engaged ACIL Allen to undertake an economic impact study to understand the economic role and importance of the Port today.

The purpose of the economic impact study is to quantify the direct and indirect economic and employment contribution of the Port of Melbourne to the Victorian and wider south-eastern Australian economies. This study will assist in communicating the importance of the Port to a broad range of stakeholders including government, industry and the wider community, and is similar to a study undertaken in 2018.

Port of Melbourne is seeking the cooperation of its extensive stakeholder network to ensure the necessary data is provided to enable a cohesive and representative picture of the economic contribution. Port users and other stakeholders may receive a request from ACIL Allen directly.

To learn more, or if you wish to participate, contact chi.yong@portofmelbourne.com

Swanson Dock West Remediation Project

Swanson Dock West (SDW) is a critical International Container Terminal (ICT) comprising of a 944m wharf with three container-handling berths, which were constructed in several stages between the 1960s and 1980s.

The existing SDW wharf is of varying ages and forms of construction. Sections of the wharf are close to or beyond the typical design life of 30 years (standard design life utilized at the time) and as a result, major remediation and asset intervention is required.

SDW International Container Terminal currently has a three- berth operation. Our three-stage program has been developed to enable it to maintain a two-berth operation for the duration of the works. Commencing from Berth 1, the project will focus on completing works for each berth, moving progressively toward Berth 3. The timeframes and staging for Berths 2 and 3 are still pending further project development and approval.

Please view the project factsheet for more information.

Information Sessions

Port of Melbourne conducted two online information sessions about the project on Tuesday 16 August 2022 and Thursday 18 August 2022.

The final presentation is available here for your reference.

Feedback on the project closed on 16 September 2022.

Final Stakeholder Engagement Report

Thank you to members of the public and the wider industry for participating in the Swanson Dock West Remediation Project information sessions. We are pleased to present the final stakeholder engagement report for your reference. The report has been prepared by RPS Consultant, who assisted PoM in the Swanson Dock West stakeholder engagement program.

If you have any questions about the Swanson Dock West Remediation Project, please contact the Port of Melbourne here  

Webb Dock East Extension Project

Port of Melbourne has confirmed works at Webb Dock East to reduce port congestion, improve efficiency and accommodate larger ships at Australia’s largest container and general cargo port.

The project involves demolishing a redundant section of concrete and extending the quay line by 71 metres. The contract for the works has been awarded to Fitzgerald Constructions Australia, with completion scheduled for late 2023.  Watch our project update video here.

Once project works are completed, the Victoria International Container Terminal, who are our tenants at Webb Dock East, will then be installing an additional two Ship to Shore Cranes, six Auto Container Carriers and six Auto Stacking Cranes.

Our video explains the project.

Port of Melbourne CEO Saul Cannon says the project is an important part of a 30-year investment strategy, designed to create a more efficient and productive port that helps to strengthen Victoria’s economy.

“Now more than ever, we need to make sure we get essential goods delivered to hospitals, businesses, schools and homes.

“We are seeing a rising number of larger vessels calling at the port and our current infrastructure at Webb Dock East at times does not allow for two ships to berth at the same time. For example, this project will enable two larger vessels to berth at the same time at this part of the port, reducing wait times for the ships to dock,” he said.

Webb Dock East was designed as a two berth terminal. This project will restore Webb Dock East’s intended design capacity.

Further information on the project can be found in our media release.

The announcement was also covered by Seven News Melbourne

Rise in online shopping puts record strain on Melbourne ports | 7NEWS – YouTube

Port Rail Transformation Project

The Port Rail Transformation Project (PRTP) will see more containers moved by rail more efficiently, by-passing roads in inner Melbourne. The project will increase rail terminal capacity and improve rail terminal operations.

The project commenced in late 2021, with an official sod turn in December 2021 with Port of Melbourne CEO Saul Cannon and the Minister for Ports and Freight, the

Project construction has commenced with works planned to be complete by mid-2023.

For more information click here.

Completed Projects

Webb Trail Revetment Remediation

Sections of the Webb Trail at Port Melbourne were closed following extensive storm damage.  The remediation works have been completed and the trail is fully open to the public.  We thank the community for their patience as we completed these works. The public notice for the works can be found here.

Swanson Dock East

The works at SDE Berth 1 & 2 are part of a major multi-year rehabilitation project to maintain the Swanson Dock International Container terminals to their design capacity and extend their design life. The scope of works included renewed crane rails, wharf deck, fenders and bollards.

These works commenced in 2017 and have been undertaken in close consultation with Patrick to enable the least amount of disruption to terminal operations through the multi-year project.

Mooring Dolphin Webb Dock

Works to construct a mooring dolphin were undertaken between January and March 2021. Mooring dolphins are structures that help secure vessels when berthed, providing the ability for certain vessels to overhang the berth.