A key element of the world-first, three-level access ramp at Spirit of Tasmania Quay has been completed by local Geelong supplier Thornton Engineering Australia.
Built specifically to accommodate Spirit of Tasmania’s current and new, larger ships (arriving in 2024), this complex steel structure will provide streamlined access for cars, caravans and trucks.
Chief Executive Officer Brett Winter said GeelongPort was excited to reach this milestone using local suppliers.
“Successful construction of the steel gantry and link spans brings us another step closer to completion,” he said. “The fact that this complex structure was built right here in Geelong really demonstrates the strength and importance of local manufacturing.”
The gantry legs, triangulated truss, deck platforms and link spans were fabricated in Corio using 510 tonnes of steel – the same amount of steel used to create 32 McHarry’s school buses. Complex in design, connections and welding difficulty, it is the largest pipe frame built by local company Thornton Engineering Australia.
As various elements of this amazing structure were put in place over the course of July, August and September, GeelongPort was supported by Powercor, and other key project partners, to ensure the over-dimensional loads could be transported from Corio to North Geelong over five winter nights in August 2022.
Spirit of Tasmania Quay continues to evolve and remains on track for first sailings on 23 October.
To find out more about this exciting development, head to our project site – Engage – Spirit of Tasmania Quay – Passenger and freight terminal.