A towering addition to a log customer’s operations is getting glowing reviews.
Port Taranaki recently installed a new 10-lamp, 30m light tower in the scaling and storage yard of log marshalling and stevedoring company C3.
The installation was part of the port’s ongoing programme to improve safety during night operations across the site, and to reduce energy consumption by improving lighting technology.
“Loading of ships can happen at any time day or night, so it’s really important that yards and operations areas are well lit for good visibility when work is taking place,” says Port Taranaki project manager Dougal Morris.
“We’re also mindful of our energy usage and light spill, so we’ve been upgrading our towers to LED lamps, and all the lighting in the operations area is connected to the distributed control system, which uses sensors to turn on and off the lights.
“They automatically turn on at dusk to the minimal, security-level illumination. If operations are taking place, then a request is made to place the lights in operational mode, switching them to maximum output."
The tower project was carried out by a wide-ranging team – Whitaker Civil Engineering dug and poured the large concrete foundation, Pace Engineering assembled the tower on-site, and Titan Cranes lifted it into place. Port Taranaki led the project management, engineering, and IT, the port’s wharf services assisted with logistics, and the maintenance team carried out the electrical work and control connections.
With the tower arriving in 12 sections, two rows of logs were moved to a Port Taranaki surge yard to allow it to be assembled on-site.
“C3 were very understanding and accommodating throughout, working with us to ensure we could get the project completed safely around log operations,” Dougal says.
The tower was successfully erected in early January and has been lighting up log operations since.
“It has significantly improved our log operations – enhancing visibility and safety during our 24-hour vessel loading operations,” says C3 New Plymouth branch manager Shannon Wells.
“It’s made it easier to conduct pre-start checks on all our plant, improved accuracy in log handling and sorting, and significantly reduced operational risks by providing clearer sightlines across the work area.
“There was strong coordination among all the stakeholders, which ensured that the work was well planned and carried out safely with minimal impact to C3 operations,” Shannon says.
