Capability Statement
Prepared for For Marine Construction
May 2026
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)
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..
Purpose & Values (typically use 2nd or 3rd)
We are a Purpose and Values driven organisation. These define what's important to us, guide our decision making and unite us behind a common goal.
Our Purpose is Providing a Better Life.
We do that through delivering projects that connect, sustain and enhance communities, and through providing career opportunities that challenge, reward and grow our people.
We also have five company values that guide our behaviours and decisions. Our values are:
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.
Marine
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.
We thrive in complex, operational environments — delivering innovative temporary works and safe, efficient methods that protect people, environment, and productivity. From purpose-built barges to proven marine systems, we engineer safe harbours with precision and care.
At McConnell Dowell, we don’t just build marine infrastructure — we deliver it with certainty, creativity, and a commitment to results.
Queen Sālote International Wharf Upgrade
We upgraded the Queen Sālote International Wharf in Nukau'alofa for the Tongan Ministry of Infrastructure between 2023 and 2025, on time and on budget, with zero LITs during the one million hours worked.
The wharf is Tonga’s only international port, a lifeline for the country, processing 95% of the country's imports and exports. This critical infrastructure upgrade modernised and climate-proofed the facility, increased capacity, and improved power, drainage and water services.
Fast Facts
- Wharf reconstruction and extensions to cater for larger vessels
- Construction of four new berthing and mooring dolphins
- General port improvements, including paving, drainage, lighting, and firefighting facilities
Pacific Maritime Security Programme
Supporting security and safety in nine nations
Improving marine infrastructure for nine Pacific Island countries as part of the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Programme (PMSP) fits perfectly with our vision: Providing a Better Life.
This project also demonstrated our ability to deliver logistically challenging marine projects across the Pacific.
Fast Facts
- wharf upgrades across nine Pacific Island nations
- custom construction activities at each wharf location
- includes piling, dredging, concrete and steel construction,
- facilities will accommodate new Guardian Class Patrol Boats (GPBs)
Tangguh Marine Works
We delivered the marine works for BP’s LNG expansion project in Tangguh, located in the remote area of Bintuni Bay in West Papua. Our customer, PT Saipem Indonesia, was part of an EPC joint venture involving Chiyoda-Saipem -Tritati -SAE.
The overall expansion project comprised a full additional natural gas liquefaction train, including an onshore receiving facility (ORF), an additional Boil of Gas (BOG) recovery, utilities, flares, and all infrastructure to support the facility.
Fast Facts
- A 1056 m long access trestle, including decks for the control room, substation and sea water intake
- 29 m x 42.5 m loading platform
- 4 breasting dolphins
- 6 mooring dolphins
Tri-Marine Dock, Seawall and Wharf
Enhancing and expanding cannery facilities to increase capacity and operational continuity
We designed and constructed a new ocean wharf, seawall, and concrete and asphalt hardstands, to improve access and operations at this 70 year old tuna canning facility in American Samoa.
Our scope consisted of the design of all works, reclamation of just over 5,000 m2 of the foreshore, construction of a 125 m long new rock seawall and natural rock revetments, drainage works, pavement construction, and dredging of the seabed around the wharf to enable the fishing fleet access.
Fast Facts
- 30 m long wharf
- 125 m long seawall 4 m below mean sea level with toe armour
- 12 x 600 mm dia steel pipes, 20 m long
- 5,000 m² of foreshore reclamation
- 0 LTI and MTI
Avatiu Port Redevelopment
Working closely with the Cook Islands Port Authority, we expanded their existing port facilities to accommodate larger cargo and cruise ships. Staging our works around their existing operations, we implemented a number of initiatives to expedite the works.
Our scope included: construction of a new 270 m long wharf; dredging and widening of the main harbour to increase turning movements for ships; armoured revetment shore protection around the entire harbour; demolition of wharf structures and buildings; and provision for new lighting.
Fast Facts
- 270 m long wharf
- 80,000 m3 of dredging
- 92 m extension of breakwater
- 50 local workers
- 9,000 m² of concrete pavement
- 320 x 16m long piles
Specialist marine plant
Elevate your marine construction potential
As a leading marine contractor, we bring deep expertise and a legacy of inventive construction to every project. Our fleet of specialist marine plant - including jack-up barges, support vessels, and our custom-designed ‘traveller’ piling system - reflects our commitment to smarter, safer, and more sustainable delivery.
Our equipment is also available for short, medium, or long-term hire. Explore the profiles below to see how our assets can support your next marine challenge.
Safety
We never compromise on safety.
We foster our 'Home Without Harm' safety culture through robust processes, effective systems, and by recognising and rewarding safe behaviours.
Our Site Safety Managers are always on our project leadership teams, ensuring safety is prioritised in all site activities. Every team member has clear safety responsibilities, aimed at protecting themselves, their colleagues, and the community.
We're also leading our industry in the adoption of new safety technologies, like virtual reality plant simulators and AI-enabled blind spot elimination. Check out the case studies below for more information.
Underpinning it all are our Safety Golden Rules. Built on our long-term collective knowledge and learnings, they are specifically targeted at preventing fatalities and serious injuries.
Sustainability (ESG)
Our purpose is 'Providing a Better Life’ - today and into the future. That’s why sustainability, in all its forms, is considered in every project, process and product across our business.
Our approach is clearly articulated in our Sustainability Policy.
We're about action not just aspiration. Our ambitious but achievable {tip title="Carbon Reduction Roadmap" content="
"} carbon reduction road-map {/tip} will see us be operationally net zero by 2030, with 44 initiatives that are being progressively rolled out across the company. Last year we reduced our carbon emissions by 442 tonnes through the use of solar technologies alone, and diverted almost two million tonnes of waste from landfill.
Digital Engineering
We take a ‘Digital First’ approach to all our projects, equipping our teams with the latest digital tools and systems from the design stage forward.
This helps them identify and address potential issues at the earliest stages of project development, effectively eliminating issues at their genesis leading to lower costs and delays once we start on site.
On site, we use digital tools like drones for surveying, and GPS tracked plant to monitor and improve safety and efficiency.
Social
We consider the 'Social' aspect of ESG to encompass everything related to people.
That's from ensuring everyone goes Home Without Harm, to making a positive and meaningful impact on the well-being and prosperity of our employees, stakeholders, and the communities we engage with. This focus aligns seamlessly with our purpose of 'Providing a Better Life'.
Our commitment begins with our rigorous safety management system and extends to maximising local employment and supply opportunities, as well as delivering needs-based community support and uplift initiatives through our projects.
Environmental
We understand the impact construction can have on our natural ecologies and we're constantly seeking ways to minimise our footprint and restore and improve the natural environment and biodiversity around our works.
We've embraced the circular economy, renewed local ecologies, reconnected habitats, and lowered energy use across our projects in line with our {tip title="Carbon Reduction Roadmap" content=""} carbon reduction road-map {/tip}.
We set energy and waste reduction targets on every project and are committed to making our environmental footprint as small as possible, as showcased in the recent case studies below.
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Summary
Thank you for taking an interest in McConnell Dowell. More information is available on our website, including additional project profiles and case studies.
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