A huge vessel being guided into the Port of Yamba by two tugs and a pilot boat last weekend is now berthed at its temporary home, Harwood Marine.

Harwood Marine owner Ross Roberts said the TSA Skardon is a floating crane barge owned by Transhipment Services Australia.

Transhipment Services Australia TSA works with the mining and resources industry to engineer and execute effective and safe port-to-port and port-to-vessel transport and transfer.

Projects TSA has been involved in include the Wuudagu Bauxite Project in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, Rydges Iron Ore at Wyndham in Western Australia, and the Roper Bar Iron Ore project in the Northern Territory.

“The TSA Skardon is a purpose-built transhipment crane barge specifically designed for working from ship-to-ship, ship-to-barge and for ship-to-quay,” says TSA.

“The TSA Skardon is a highly fuel efficient and flexible crane barge with the ability to be equipped with a grab for dry bulk transhipment, a container-spreader for handling containers or a hook for throughput of all other types of cargo.

“This can provide for effective transhipment at sea, coastal or inland, loading and unloading vessels, along with flexible crane capacity in harbours.”

Mr Roberts said TSA had engaged Harwood Marine to refit the 63 metre long, 23.5 metre wide, 202 tonne barge crane to be able to work around the clock on projects.

“Harwood Marine previously has done work for TSA and have now been engaged to build a floating accommodation block for the vessel,” Mr Roberts said.

“The Skardon works 24hrs a day, it is more efficient, safer and cost effective to have a new on-board facility for the crew to rest.”

To construct the floating accommodation block, Mr Roberts said, will take about six to eight weeks, during which time the crew of the TSA Skardon provide a welcome economic boost for local businesses.

“The work to construct the floating accommodation block will cost about $1.3 million, with perhaps a further $50,000 spent by the crew,” he said.

When work on the TSA Skardon is finished at Harwood Marine, Mr Roberts said the vessel was destined for Metro Mining’s Bauxite Hills project near Weipa in Far North Queensland.

The project by Harwood Marine is just another example of how businesses and government organisations continue to engage the superior skills of Clarence Valley workers in marine manufacturing.

Mr Roberts said Harwood Marine was looking forward to an exciting and productive 2023, with four ships currently under construction in the shipyard.

“We are currently looking for workers with a range of skills, including Boilermakers/Welders, Fitters and Turners, Abrasive Blasters and Spray Painters and we have apprenticeship opportunities that currently exist,” he said.

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 25 January 2023.