SIMEC Mining is an arm of the GFG Alliance that bought the Whyalla Steelworks in South Australia along with its associated mines and is now pushing ahead with plans for the new enterprise to deconstruct, scrap and recycle (DSR) ships.
SIMEC Mining executive managing director Matt Reed said the Whyalla Port was the only facility in Australia with the capacity for larger vessels and this was an ideal opportunity to increase third party usage.
“This is the only facility in Australia with the capacity to handle vessels over 200 metres in length, so we hope it presents a genuine opportunity for ongoing DSR operations,” Reed said.
“We’ve put a lot of work into attracting third parties to use our facility, and have already conducted a number of successful trials with a variety of cargoes, making use of our new mobile harbor crane.”
Reed said that this process could also align with GFG Alliance’s broader strategy – creating scrap that can be recycled through the Whyalla Steelworks or GFG’s other scrap businesses.
“This work will utilize local maritime services and other contractor services, as well as presenting an opportunity for greater scope should we secure more DSR work through the Whyalla Port in the future,” Reed said.
The company has teamed up with Adelaide-headquartered McMahon Services and project manager Andrew Levett is now preparing the port slipway for the arrival of the first ship, the ex-HMAS Success.
HMAS Success was the Royal Australian Navy’s longest serving ship, decommissioned in 2019 after 33 years of service.
Published in the April 2020 Edition