Project and Logistics Management Strategies
PrOJECTS
- Major infrastructure project interfaces with ports and terminals.
- Port and Terminal Infrastructure project conceptualization and pre-feasibility advice and participation.
- Alliance Project management and general port Project Control Group experience and capability.
- Port and Terminal plant and equipment project establishment with pre-feasibility advice and development participation.
- Project development for on-water – mid-stream barging – solutions including barge design and first-stage naval architecture 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 eighteen – Midstream barging solution for berth congestion mitigation advice for container operator:
Examine optimal geared ‘mid-stream’ barge solution for regional port. Examine nine prospective barge selections as well as a small ‘land-backed’ terminal berth for onward consideration. Identify ‘design’ vessel as geared barge within project specific parameters.
Case study nineteen - Midstream barging solution for berth congestion mitigation advice for container operator – following on from Case study eighteen:
Undertake on-site condition surveys of barges, cranes, ancillary and propulsion equipment in Indonesia and Singapore. Report on suitability and design as well as required refit and modifications to effect mid-stream barging operations in Australian waters. Develop revised capacity and hydrostatic concepts for “lightship” and “full load” conditions for each selected vessel. Establish base acquisition, conversion and terminal capital costs set-out the process for project implementation.
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 twenty-three – Contract of Sale for Iron Ore:
Develop “best-practice” Contract of Sale for iron ore in collaboration with PALMS industry associates/peers eschewing customary “free-on-board” terms historically utilised in that trade sector. Attend negotiations, assist/facilitate final drafting in China and secure execution of the contract; valued circa A$10B.
Case study twenty-six – Assessment of European Vacu-unloaders for deployment in Australian Ports:
Attended site of decommissioning of fossil-fuel power station on the River Thames, UK. Survey, assess and report on the condition, suitability and practicability of the (prospective) bid-purchase of two VEGAN Vacu-unloaders for deployment to Australian Ports. Reporting subsequently related to General Arrangements and condition, fixed galleries, umbilical plant, pneumatic plant, unloading rigging, midstream barging applicability/practicability, prospective Australian Port sites for deployment and strategic acquisition considerations.
Case study twenty-seven – Iron ore project proponent – various projects:
Developed several least-cost-pathway freight options for emerging iron ore entity pursuing challenging start-up prospects. This engagement became one which departed from PALMS mission of providing true value for money, never operating in arenas where value is not added and identifiable and was politely exited.
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-two – engagement with Port to effect amendment to Environmental License to facilitate solid bulk mineral concentrates export:
Engage in ‘works order’ process for risk based amendment to port’s environmental license. Provide single point of engagement for port personnel when dealing with mining proponent and transport logistics provider to ensure timely and correct application made to Department of Environment WA
Case study thirty-six – Port Precinct “sitting tenant” WA – contractual and legal challenges with capital city Port Authority:
Matter of enforcement of Lease Agreement terms which were ultra-vires with both the Agreements and the Port Authority enabling legislation. Provide Port subject matter expert and expert legal advice interfaces for strategic, governance, contractual advice in relation to Lessee rights and responsibilities and the Port Authority obligations and processes relating to enforcement of terms during enforced lease terms period.
Case study thirty-seven – Intertidal port operations in environmentally sensitive Northern WA Port Precinct – engagement with DOT and Shire as managers of the regional port site:
Introduce the prospect of petroleum floating storage barges concept in an intertidal port precinct. Attend to hydrographic, maritime safety, port authority interfaces as well as develop concept for moorings and berth pocket footprints. Address preliminary matters of concern in relation to Approvals and Licensed with Environmental and Dangerous Goods Authorities. Address matters of passage planning, towage, vessel handling and mooring as well as mooring arrangements in strong tidal flows for port operations.
Case study forty-one – Port Authority – Licence to Operate – Southern WA Port:
Resolve, through advice and interface with legislation, governance, commercial and operational advice, client dissonance (legislative, legal and functional) with commercial agreements relating to port access and operational licensing.