INFRASTRUCTURE
- Port and Terminal Infrastructure project conceptualization and pre-feasibility advice and participation.
- “World Class” throughput facility development for port/terminal application aligning Quality Port Management with the highest supply chain management standards.
- “Alternative access” concepts and proposals; balancing capacity utilisation with existing assets – minimum interference of supply chain initiatives through a range of existing infrastructure.
- Infrastructure development proposal to support on-water – mid-stream barging – solutions including barge design with (sub-contracted) provision of conceptual engineering deliverables.
Case study one - Merger and acquisition:
Develop full end-to-end supply chain from Western Australia to Asia successfully supporting an A$ 750M acquisition. Provide complete shipping alternatives, commercials and freight options, assess port infrastructure development alternatives, costings and operational parameters as well as plan terminal development with capex, opex analysis and preliminary services structure. Balance rail freight supply chain interface with proposed export terminal.
This assignment covered discharge port 'matching', vessel capacity matching and options, contract of affreightment advice as well as shipping cost analysis across Handymax, Supermax, Panamax and CapeSize vessels. Port assessment included channel and berth development, dredging assessment and preliminary costings as well as Statutory approvals and Government policy advice. Terminal development required concise environmental consideration and critical rail receivals matching.
Beyond the most competitive supply chain options, costs and efficiencies which supported the client's successful bid a number of alternatives were developed which simultaneously delivered a staged approach to achieving the significant economies of scale realizable in the final cape size vessel option.
Case study three - Least cost pathway and shipping task development:
Facilitate a closed-loop supply chain on a least-cost-pathway basis from the Western Australian Yilgarn to Chinese ports in the Bayuguan ~ Fangcheng range.
A full range of transport options was assessed, some in concert with rail/road specialists, to develop a closed-loop system with 'minimum intervention over a range of existing infrastructure' in Western Australia, interfaced with a cost-and-freight based freight task to China. Most competitive supply chain developed for commissioning upon commencement of export which contemplates shared ownership of the sea freight task and concomitant commercial and operational benefits as well as significant risk mitigation.
Case study five - Engineering services and infrastructure provider:
Provided a complete analysis of superstructure and service requirements for a major engineering, infrastructure and services provider. The analysis examined a complete export supply chain for a solid bulk cargo from mine to export vessel loading. The full range of infrastructure, superstructure, plant, equipment and costs were considered. The examination surfaced current issues and inefficiencies in the supply chain, reviewed ownership and control of the various assets and services, identified key change and improvement opportunities and recommended improvements.
The service delivery and superstructure elements analyzed were; rail wagon loading at mine, rail transportation to port terminal, terminal unloading, conveying to stockpile, storage and re-handling, maintenance of the unloading and conveying system, reclaiming and out-loading, ship loading superstructure and operations as well as maintenance of the ship loading and conveying system.
A cost impact model, examining growth stages and concomitant export volumes and resource requirements, was developed which delivered gross profit, EBIT, EBITDA and ROR% outcomes against cost of Labour, power and plant and equipment variations with each modelled stage of export growth anticipated.
Conclusions in relation to contractual arrangements, operations and maintenance of the system, asset rationalization and asset ownership were drawn in order to contemplate improvement. Recommendations relating to maintenance services, operations and services, haulage services and rates, Government interface and support and a definitive strategic and commercial approach to the venture were made for client's consideration with a view to bidding for provision of services and superstructure maintenance/provision
Case study twenty – Third party terminal access – Mobile plant and equipment deployment, inducement and access terms:
Engage with major grain exporting entity to facilitate access to latent berth infrastructure capacity by way of deploying mobile harbor cranes on their berth apron. Establish benefits for both parties and commence process of establishing Heads-of-Agreement Terms, access arrangements to deliverer final Deeds and services provision arrangements for operations Works continued to establish operational parameters in relation to physical accommodation of the equipment with respect to deck loading and working tolerances as well as operations establishment.
Case study twenty-one – Berth design evaluation advice:
This work was a continuance of case studies seventeen, eighteen and nineteen and involved engagement of sub-contracted engineering expertise to deliver three conceptual berth designs to support the mid-stream barging solutions. Three options, to facilitate the landside Lo-Lo operations supporting mid-stream barging, were evaluated; complete with capital cost breakdown. These were a full sheet pile wharf, a deck-on-piles wharf and a dolphin mooring with minimal Lo-Lo apron. This work as deferred until such time as the client could secure a stevedoring license
Case study thirty – Solid Bulk Solutions over environmentally sensitive port setting:
Provide initial advice in relation to the prospects of resumption of solid bilk mineral concentrates exports. Develop initial “fit-for-purpose” options with general observations to be socialized with regulators and port managers as well as observations and conclusions. Followed up with document setting out broad options ahead of formal scoping study referred to in case study thirty-one.
Case study thirty-one – Scoping “world-class solid bulk exporting facility for WA Regional port:
Undertake complete scoping study for “export of mineral concentrates in solid bulk over a sensitive WA regional port. The justification being a modal shift from containerised to solid bulk transportation with concomitant cost savings but with improved environmental conditions.
This work included a strong concept proposal and options background given the critical social, political, environmental and commercial sensitivities relating to the matter. The works surfaced “global best practice” for the handling of mineral concentrate (sulphides) in solid bulk and then turned to augmentation of an alternate berth within the existing precincts of the port to facilitate the initiative. The latter following the concept of port infrastructure, superstructure and services development all ‘matching’ with “minimum intervention through a range of existing infrastructure”.
Major components of the works were selection of the ‘design vessel’, interface with the concentrate product characteristics, berth configuration and modifications, proposed ship loader and ‘cascade’ chutes, enclosed conveyors and galleries and a ‘world-class-facility’ negatively pressured storage and receivals shed.
Tonnage throughput and concomitant commercial parameters were also examined with breakeven tonnages and Net Present Value limits expressed; in addition to inclusion of a “Freight Advantage Contribution” charge leveraging contribution to capital against the background of savings when changing mode from containers to solid bulk. Approvals and stakeholder consultation were articulated as were elements of Governance, including shareholder engagement and wide-scope risk management considerations
Case study thirty-four – Nantong, China – procurement and conversion of Palm Oil Barges for Petroleum Crude products:
Provide vessel inspections and reports relating to the (then) condition and operational requirements for conversion of Palm Oil barges to FP<60 petroleum cargo as well as engagement with Classification Societies regarding “strength bottom” requirements. Address preliminary assessment of suitability for grounding scenarios, as well as concomitant offshore intertidal mooring systems for operation in NorthWest WA.
Case study thirty-eight – Design of fit-for-purpose Light Sweet Crude oil barges of 13KT DWT for deployment in WA Northwest to Papua Ports range:
Develop concept design then on pass to Nanjing (Jiangsu, China) based ship design company and provide Class Society and Port interfaces for development of barge design. Barges designed to facilitate frequent grounding with “strength bottom” capability as well as ballasting, unique mooring systems and deployment on one-month round voyage, Foreign Going deployment terms. Address matters of contractual engagement between PALMS principal clients and the Design Company in addition of the vessel specifications, makers list and design parameters themselves.
Case study thirty-nine – Construction of fit-for-purpose Light Sweet Crude oil barges of 13KT DWT in Rugao City shipyard, Jiangsu, China:
Research, engage and select – from a total of eighty - suitable shipyard/s with credentials, competence and capacity to deliver specialist barges. Attend discussions with shipyard executive and interface of principal client. Insect shipyard and discuss stages of construction from contractual milestone, commercial payment parameters, operational construction, completion, warranties, guarantees and delivery perspectives.
Case study forty – Towage assessment and selection of towage provider and vessels for deep sea foreign going deployment:
Research, engage and select – from a total of six – suitable providers, the most economical and reliable towage provider source. Inspect vessels and report, interface operations into the towage element of the round-voyage planning, commence TOWCON negotiations, development of specialist operational plans (including Bollard Pull versus power and environmental factors assessments), assessment of Class and Flag State requirements for the venture. Address matters of commercial interface such as charter rates, consumption, port costs, towage risks and governance implications for operators.
Project and Logistics Management Strategies