From building ships to deconstructing them

SIMEC Mining’s Whyalla Port operation has come full-circle, from beginnings as a ship-building facility to now working on the deconstruction, scrapping and recycling (DSR) of its first decommissioned vessel – the ex-HMAS Success.

SIMEC Mining is partnering with McMahon Services to cut up the decontaminated hull of the ex‐HMAS Success for recycling.

General Manager Operational Transformation Greg McMillan said the work complies with the strictest environmental conditions, with a development application for the activity approved by the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure and associated referral and review by the Environment Protection Authority.

“This work is utilising local maritime services and other contractor services, as well as presenting an opportunity for greater scope should we secure more DSR work through the Whyalla Port in the future,” Mr McMillan said.

“We’ve put a lot of work into attracting third parties to use our facility, so it’s great to see yet another opportunity coming to life.”

The DSR work represents the Whyalla Port coming full circle, with the operation established as a ship‐building facility in the early 1940s through to the late 1970s.

It will continue for a three‐month period and will help determine if it’s a feasible undertaking on an ongoing basis.

“This is the only facility in Australia with the capacity to handle vessels over 200 metres in length, so we hope this unique capability presents a genuine opportunity for ongoing DSR operations,” Mr McMillan said.

“In the future, this process could also align with GFG Alliance’s broader GREENSTEEL strategy – creating scrap which can be recycled through the Whyalla Steelworks or GFG’s other Australian scrap businesses.”