The channels in Port Phillip Bay have different dimensions and constraints, as summarised in table 2. Some of these constraints can be relatively easily unlocked (for example by dredging to widen a channel) but others are much harder (for example raising the West Gate Bridge). The capacity and constraints of Webb Dock, the Yarra Channel and Swanson Dock are discussed in the Capacity of the Port of Melbourne section. Table 2. Port Phillip Bay channels and constraints for various ship sizes Container ship class Area Old Post Old Post Old Post New Post Ultra Comment on existing Panamax Panamax Panamax Panamax Large limitations 7,000 Plus Plus 14,000 Container TEU 8,500 9,500 TEU Ship TEU TEU 18,500 TEU Great Ship Y Y Y Y N Width of channel Channel (Heads) South Y Y Y Y Y Channel Port Y Y - - N Width of channel Melbourne Channel Williamstown Y Y - - N Width of channel Channel Webb Dock Y - - N N Size of swing basin Swing Basin Webb Dock Y Y Y - - Width of northern section, southern section adequate Yarra River Y N N N N Width of channel Channel West Gate Y Y - N N Air draught Bridge Swanson Y N N N N Size of swing basin Dock Swing Basin Swanson Y N N N N Width of basin Dock Source: GHD, Infrastructure Victoria Second Container Port Advice Estimated Capacity of the Port of – Melbourne, 2017 Key Y: Vessel size can operate in channel or through constriction -: Borderline. Vessel size should be able to operate with minor adjustments or some restrictions N: Vessel size cannot operate
The channels in Port Phillip Bay have different dimensions and constraints, as summarised in table 2. Some of these constraints can be relatively easily unlocked (for example by dredging to widen a channel) but others are much harder (for example raising the West Gate Bridge). The capacity and constraints of Webb Dock, the Yarra Channel and Swanson Dock are discussed in the Capacity of the Port of Melbourne section. Table 2. Port Phillip Bay channels and constraints for various ship sizes Container ship class Area Old Post Panamax 7,000 TEU Old Post Panamax Plus 8,500 TEU Old Post Panamax Plus 9,500 TEU New Post Panamax 14,000 TEU Ultra Large Container Ship 18,500 TEU Comment on existing limitations Great Ship Channel (Heads) Y Y Y Y N Width of channel South Channel Y Y Y Y Y Port Melbourne Channel Y Y - - N Width of channel Williamstown Channel Y Y - - N Width of channel Webb Dock Swing Basin Y - - N N Size of swing basin Webb Dock Y Y Y - - Width of northern section, southern section adequate Yarra River Channel Y N N N N Width of channel West Gate Bridge Y Y - N N Air draught Swanson Dock Swing Basin Y N N N N Size of swing basin Swanson Dock Y N N N N Width of basin Source: GHD, Infrastructure Victoria Second Container Port Advice – Estimated Capacity of the Port of Melbourne, 2017 Key Y: Vessel size can operate in channel or through constriction -: Borderline. Vessel size should be able to operate with minor adjustments or some restrictions N: Vessel size cannot operate
Advice_on_securing_Victorias_ports_-_accessible_version_-_FINAL.docx