McConnell Dowell says it has signed an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) contract with the BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) for its Shiploader 2 and Berth 2 Replacement (SABR) project at the Hay Point Coal Terminal, in Queensland, Australia.

The SABR project scope encompasses replacement of one of the three berths and shiploaders at the terminal. The wharf and shiploader being replaced have reached end of life, according to McConnell Dowell, and the SABR project will see replacement of both facilities. At the same time, it will improve operability (with a berth extension) and storm immunity (by raising of the berth).

In collaboration with BMA and its design engineer Aurecon, McConnell Dowell will work in an “integrated project delivery environment” to optimise the facility design and construction methodology, so the project can be completed in 2023, the company said.

The scope of the contract includes the “provisions of constructability input”, advice, and preparatory work for construction, including assisting with facility design; construction execution planning; and estimating and planning assistance, McConnell Dowell said.

Back in 2015, BMA opened the new third berth at its Hay Point coal terminal, which lifted the export capacity from 44 Mt/y to 55 Mt/y.

“McConnell Dowell is thrilled to be partnering with BMA once again and bringing our leading marine construction expertise to drive innovation and project certainty.”