Port Hedland Tug Facilities

New tug infrastructure at Port Hedland

BESIX, in partnership with Australian contractor Decmil, successfully delivered the design and construction of tug facilities at Port Hedland for Fortescue Metals Group. The project included mooring pontoons, cyclone moorings, access walkways, and marine services to support harbour tugs servicing Capesize vessels. The innovative cyclone mooring design ensured operational continuity in one of the world’s busiest iron ore ports.

Project overview

Port Hedland, located in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia, is a critical export hub for iron ore. To support the safe and efficient operation of harbour tugs, BESIX and Decmil were awarded the contract to deliver new tug facilities. The project built on BESIX’s prior experience in the region, including the Wheatstone project, and was executed with a strong focus on local conditions, cyclone resilience, and integrated marine services.

Scope of works

Design and installation of mooring pontoons and cyclone moorings
Construction of access walkways and marine services infrastructure
Delivery of topside services for tug operations

Key highlights

Innovative cyclone moorings: BESIX’s in-house engineering team developed a custom cyclone mooring system to safely secure harbour tugs during extreme weather events, ensuring rapid resumption of operations post-cyclone.
Proven regional experience: The expertise gained locally enabled BESIX to gain a deep understanding of local working conditions and to apply its best international engineering practices accordingly.
BIM-driven efficiency: A fully integrated 3D BIM model allowed early detection of design conflicts, reducing fabrication and construction risks.
Local collaboration: BESIX collaborated closely with a local engineering company, creating synergies in design execution and compliance with Australian standards.