Work starts next week on a three year project to restore jetty gantries at Refining NZ’s Marsden Point refinery to pristine condition.
Last refurbished in 2000 the two gantries which are used for unloading crude ships and uploading fuel product ships bound for New Zealand ports, have been subject to ‘fair wear and tear’ and weather over the last sixteen years. Their refurbishment will involve repairing or replacing steel in the gantry structures, painting, and fitting a new gantry hose counterweight lifting and guarding systems.
Refining NZ Engineering Manager, Robin Baxter says the $7.2 million project will ensure the ongoing safety of ship movements at the refinery, adding that the project has required months of planning and preparation by the project team.
“We’ve taken all the precautions necessary to ensure the refurbishment doesn’t impact harbour users or the harbour environment.
“The scaffolding we’ve put in place will be shrink-wrapped to allow material from water blasting and structural repairs to be collected and taken off the jetty, safely. The shrink wrap will provide a safe working environment for our contractors and limit light exposure and work noise, both of which will be carefully monitored.”
Baxter says that shipping won’t be disrupted by the refurbishment, with the team of contractors from TBS Coating and Maintenir halting work to allow ships to berth at the refinery. The jetty refurbishment is expected to be finished in 2018.
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