North QLD Bulk Ports Corporation

North QLD Bulk Ports Corporation

Executive Summary

The project involved addressing the issue of heavily corroded and rusted light poles at North Queensland Bulk Ports. The use of Wagners CFT products ensured corrosion resistance and excellent performance in the harsh marine environment of the port. With their products' inherent resistance to corrosion, ongoing maintenance and replacement costs were significantly reduced, providing a sustainable and cost-effective solution for North Queensland Bulk Ports.

It is estimated that there is an over 43% reduction in carbon emissions by engineering and using WCFT FRP materials compared to steel in structures. Lighter weight reduces energy requirements for transportation and assembly. Comparatively it is also estimated that 40% of the worlds steel production is to replace other steel assets destroyed by corrosion. Galvanising adds costs, painting requires labour-intensive, ongoing maintenance.

"We chose Wagners’ CFT products for this project as their products are corrosion resistant and we knew they would perform in the port environment. Wagners were very helpful throughout the whole process, they answered all our questions and provided technical support for the installation. We will be looking into using these products more often."

- Simon Nash, Senior Manager Asset Services, North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation

The Project

The primary goal was to replace the deteriorated poles with a sustainable and durable long-term solution, reducing the ongoing maintenance required once the new light poles were installed.

Read more about the project below:

  • Key Challenges

    One of the key challenges during the project was the retrofitting of the new poles onto existing bolts, which were closely spaced.

  • Selection of Wagners CFT

    • North Queensland Bulk Ports chose Wagners CFT for the project due to their products' capabilities and low maintenance characteristics.
    • Wagners CFT had a strong understanding of the specific challenges faced in the port environment and offered corrosion-resistant solutions.
    • The products were known for their performance and durability, making them an ideal choice for this project.
    • Wagners CFT offers 5x the performance of Steel in corrosive Marine environment.

  • Wagners CFT’s Solution

    • Wagners CFT designed, manufactured, and installed custom light poles to meet the exact height and outreach needs of the client. Wagners CFT is 30% lighter than traditional steel, and as such, this further reduced the project's transport, implementation and maintenance cost. 
    • The poles supplied included 17 poles measuring 5m in height with a 2m outreach and 12 poles measuring 8m in height with a 2m outreach.
    • The design of the light poles were checked against cyclone winds to ensure their ability to withstand the challenging port environment.
    • The use of Wagners CFT products provided a sustainable and long-lasting solution, reducing the need for frequent maintenance and replacements. 

    Overall, this approach enables over a 50% reduction in total cost of ownership.

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