![Ship lifting one of the modules into place during construction of the new wharf](https://www.jacobs.com/sites/default/files/styles/media_component/public/2022-04/Amrun%20Chith%20Photo%2006.jpg?itok=WhOoqBGZ)
Rio Tinto’s Amrun Project located south of the Embley River, between Weipa and Aurukun in Far North Queensland. The Chith Export Facility was designed by Jacobs and constructed by McConnell Dowell with constructability input & oversight by Bechtel
The Amrun project’s Chith Export Facility team (Rio Tinto, Bechtel, Jacobs and McConnell Dowell) has won the Category 6: Projects Over $75 Million award at the recent Queensland Civil Contractors Federation Earth Awards on the Gold Coast. The award acknowledges excellence in civil construction, including marine structures.
Located in far north Queensland, the facility includes a 650-meter-long access jetty and 350-meter-long wharf.
Rather than follow common industry design and construction methods, Jacobs delivered a wharf structure design that utilized a large-scale modularization approach. Seven innovative jacketed wharf dolphin steel structures and six topside modules were fabricated and constructed off-site before being delivered to site and lifted into position by a heavy lift ship.
“These types of bulk export facilities are traditionally comprised of many structural elements that are pieced together on site; the site works are significant,” said Jacobs Global Technology Leader for Maritime Dry Bulk Chris Best. “We’re not aware of another wharf project that has used a comparable jacketed wharf dolphin solution. The project team delivered a design and construction philosophy for wharf building that will pave the way for future projects, not just in Australia, but globally.”
The design created significant value for the project including $40 million in capital expenditure savings and has been delivered safely, efficiently and with minimal environmental impact.