Capability Statement

Prepared for Marine Construction

May 2026

Introduction General

Introduction General

Thank you for the opportunity to present this brief capability statement which details a cross-section of our skills and experience, and showcases a selection of our recent projects.

About Us (typically use first)

About Us (typically use first)

For over 65 years customers have been coming to McConnell Dowell with complex projects that require innovative solutions. That's why we're known as the Creative Construction company.

From remote resources and energy projects to city-shaping infrastructure, we've built thousands of quality assets and facilities.

Engineering-led, our expertise has grown steadily to span building, civil, electrical, fabrication, marine, mechanical, pipelines, rail, tunnel and underground construction..

Our Approach (typically use 2nd or 3rd)

Our Approach (typically use 2nd or 3rd)

We approach every project with a focus on creativity and certainty - seeking the right blend of innovation and safe, proven approaches so we can exceed our customers' expectations.

We also understand that construction today is as much about community and sustainability as it is about concrete and steel. Our unwavering objective and commitment is to deliver what we promise to our customers, while protecting and enhancing our people, the community and the environment.

Our Solutions (typically use 4th to 8th)

Our Solutions (typically use 4th to 8th)

We offer our customers engineering and construction solutions in transport, water & wastewater, ports & coastal, energy, resources, and building.

Our services encompass the complete project lifecycle—from early concept design to commissioning and ongoing maintenance. We tailor each solution to suit our customer's specific project objectives and preferred delivery approach.

Ports & Coastal Solutions

Ports & Coastal Solutions

With over 330 marine projects completed across six decades, McConnell Dowell is synonymous with marine infrastructure.

From wharves and jetties to ocean outfalls, breakwaters, and submarine pipelines — we bring coastal confidence to every project.

Our modular approach to construction has helped create productive ports for clients like Rio Tinto, FMG, Vale, and BHP, where over 1.2 billion tonnes of iron ore are shipped annually from wharves we built.

Rio Tinto Design and Construct Weipa, Far North Queensland

Chith Export Facility

We revolutionised the design and construction of large-scale marine infrastructure when we delivered the Chith Export Facility - a large, complex and remotely located project for Rio Tinto at their Amrun bauxite mine, south of Weipa in Far North Queensland.

The facility comprises a 650 m access jetty, a 350 m loading wharf and an onshore conveyor system. Innovatively designed by Jacobs and constructed by us in just 10 months, modularisation was at the heart of the solution and our project team took it to new levels in scale and breadth.

Fast Facts

  • 650 m access jetty
  • 350 m long loading wharf
  • Fully modularised construction approach
  • 300,000 job-hours saved
  • Build time reduced by 12 months to just 10 months
  • Capital expenditure reduced by $40M
Chith Export Facility
DefenceSA | Government of South Australia Early Contractor Involvement Adelaide, South Australia

Common User Facility (Techport)

In one of the first Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) contracts in Australia, we designed and delivered the Techport Australia Common User Facility - a new state-of-the-art shipbuilding and maintenance complex on the Port River at Osborne, South Australia. We delivered it in joint venture with our building company, Built Environs (the MDBE JV).

The project was rolled out in two stages. In the first stage, our team worked in collaboration with design and technology partners and DefenceSA to develop the final design and risk adjusted price.

Fast Facts

  • 213 m long, 25 m wide wharf
  • 450,000 m3 material dredged
  • 34 m x 160 m new shiplift pocket
  • Installation of Australia's largest shiplift
  • Works conducted in a sensitive marine environment and dolphin sanctuary
Common User Facility (Techport)
BCI Minerals Early Contractor Involvement Pilbara, Western Australia

Mardie Salt & Potash Marine Structures

Delivering new marine facilities to grow Australian exports

We designed and constructed the marine structures for BCI Minerals’ Mardie Salt & Potash Project in Western Australia, using our innovative canti-traveller system for speed and low impact delivery.

The 'Mardie' Project is a large-scale, solar evaporation operation on the Pilbara coast. Capacity of the completed facility is estimated to be 5.35 million tonnes per annum of high purity salt and 140,000 tonnes per annum of sulphate of potash, over an operating life of at least 60 years.

Fast Facts

  • 2.4 km long jetty with berthing and mooring dolphins
  • 200 steel piles, up to 30 metres long
  • 100 m of jetty completed every 10 days using innovative canti-traveller system
Mardie Salt & Potash Marine Structures
  Flinders Port Holdings Early Contractor Involvement Adelaide, South Australia

Outer Harbour Berth 6 Extension

Increasing container port capacity in South Australia

After a 6-month Early Contractor Involvement process, we're now delivering a berth extension and remediation works at the Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal (FACT) — South Australia’s only container terminal.

Our works form part of Flinders Port Holdings’ (FPH) A$350 million GatewaySA Program, a multi-year initiative designed to increase capacity, efficiency and sustainability across the terminal.

Fast Facts

  • 135 m berth extension
  • Quay-line extention and strutural remediation
  • Site-wide services, hardstands and access road upgrades.
Outer Harbour Berth 6 Extension
Port of Melbourne Early Contractor Involvement, leading to lump sum contract Melbourne, Victoria

Swanson Dock West remediation

We recently completed Stage 1 of the Swanson Dock West Remediation, and are now delivering Stage 2. This is our sixth project for Port of Melbourne since 2017.

Swanson Dock West (SDW) is a critical International Container Terminal comprising of a 944 m wharf with three container-handling berths, which were constructed in several stages between the 1960s and 1980s. The existing wharf is of varying forms of construction and some sections are close to or beyond the typical design life of 30 years. As a result, major remediation was needed.

Fast Facts

  • A three-staged wharf remediation project
  • McConnell Dowell's sixth project for this customer since 2017
  • Works programmed around operational wharf
Swanson Dock West remediation
Port of Melbourne Early Contractor Involvement Melbourne, Victoria

Swanson Dock East Berths 1 & 2 Rehabilitation

Collaborative Approach, Safety Focus, and Minimising Disruptions in Port Rehabilitation Project

Working in collaboration with the Port of Melbourne, we successfully completed four contracts at Swanson Dock between 2017 and 2020.

After completing the award winning Port Capacity Project, we continued our partnership with Port of Melbourne with a series of smaller contracts to rehabilitate the iconic Swanson Dock - the heart of Australia's busiest container terminal.

Fast Facts

  • Multiple projects successfully completed without disrupting port operations
  • 412 piles driven
  • 570 tonnes of reinforcement used
  • 3,600 m2 of new wharf deck laid
Swanson Dock East Berths 1 & 2 Rehabilitation
Squadron Energy EPC Port Kembla, New South Wales

Port Kembla Energy Terminal

Converting disused coal terminal to provide flexible energy supply

Engaged by Squadron Energy, one of Australia’s leading renewable energy companies, we helped establish a new gas import facility at Port Kembla to bring flexible additional energy supply to the eastern seaboard of Australia.

The facility, built on an abandoned coal export terminal, has the capacity to supply more than 70% of NSW’s gas needs.

Fast Facts

  • New gas import facility
  • Two contracts completed - marine works and onshore receiving facilities
  • Marine works involving 160 piles, each 1500 mm diameter
  • Over 500 sheet piles
  • Nine mooring dolphins
  • Expected capacity: 130PJ annually
Port Kembla Energy Terminal
Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV) Design and Construct Melbourne, Victoria

Mordialloc Freeway

The McConnell Dowell Decmil Joint Venture delivered the Mordialloc Freeway in Melbourne’s south east four weeks ahead of schedule while setting new industry benchmarks in sustainability and workplace mental health management.

The nine kilometre freeway links the Mornington Peninsula Freeway at Springvale Road in Aspendale Gardens to the Dingley Bypass in Dingley Village, creating a continuous freeway from Frankston To Clayton.

Fast Facts

  • 9 km long multi-lane freeway
  • 6 road bridges constructed
  • 8 km of shared walking/cycling paths
  • 3 million tonnes of earthworks imported
  • 74 km of utilities relocated
  • 97% of construction waste diverted from landfill
Mordialloc Freeway

Closing Text - General, with video, no contacts

Summary

Thank you for taking an interest in McConnell Dowell's skills, capabilities and approach. Additional information is available on our website, including additional project case studies.

Contacts

Rebecca Neeson

Rebecca Neeson

Pre-contracts Manager - Vic & Tas

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