Major maintenance dredging completed at Port of Devonport

 TasPorts has completed its major maintenance dredging campaign at the Port of Devonport ahead of schedule; providing ongoing safe navigation at one of Tasmania’s key freight gateways, while achieving strong environmental outcomes.  

TasPorts CEO Captain Allan Gray said the campaign had successfully increased depths across the port, strengthening safe and reliable access for all vessels using the port.

“Increasing navigable depths in the entrance channel, basin and berths is a key achievement of the project and actively supports our customers who rely on Devonport as one of Tasmania’s key freight gateways,” Captain Gray said.

The 12-week campaign, which began on 17 March 2026, involved relocating more than 250,000 cubic metres of dredged material from the operational port area to an approved offshore disposal ground.  

During the campaign, TasPorts was able to optimise the dredging area and methodology, which resulted in earlier than forecast project completion by two weeks. 

This optimisation enabled TasPorts to minimise the volume of material dredged from the operational port area, delivering improved environmental outcomes.  

Captain Gray said environmental management was a key focus of the project.

“Dredging at ports can raise concerns, in particular around potential impacts to the marine environment from increased water turbidity,” Captain Gray said.  

“TasPorts measured water turbidity, along with other environmental indicators, using six water quality monitoring buoys located near the dredging area, environmentally sensitive flora and fauna, and offshore disposal ground.

“These water quality monitoring buoys have been in place since 2025, collecting 24/7 baseline data since the campaign commenced in March 2026.  

“Throughout the campaign, TasPorts did not record any sustained dredging-related increases in turbidity – a key measure of water quality - with water conditions remaining consistent with those observed outside dredging periods,” Captain Gray said.

To support data quality, monitoring equipment was regularly serviced and calibrated throughout the campaign, including visual inspections every four to six weeks and supplementary water sampling.

Any short-term changes were investigated and attributed to weather conditions and routine sensor maintenance.

Captain Gray said the project supports TasPorts’ long-term approach to dredging at the Port of Devonport.

“This was the first project completed under TasPorts’ 10-year Sea Dumping Permit, issued by the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water,” he said.

“Together with our Long-Term Dredge Management Strategy, this will guide future campaigns to maintain safe and efficient access to the port and support Tasmania’s trade.”