Capability Statement

Capability Statement

Prepared for SolarDuck - Modular Construction

May 2026

Video Introduction - What is Creative Construction?

Video Introduction - What is Creative Construction?

Introduction

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..

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.

First Gen EPC Batangas, Philippines

Batangas LNG Terminal

FGEN LNG Corporation (FGEN) engaged us to build and deliver the Interim Offshore Terminal Project ("IOT Project") at their LNG terminal in Batangas, in the Philippines.

We undertook the engineering, procurement and construction of both the Multi-Purpose Jetty and Onshore Gas Receiving Facility. The new Multiple Purpose Jetty is a permanent modification of the existing liquid fuel jetty which we constructed in 1998.

Fast Facts

  • New multi-purpose jetty with topside infrastructure
  • Onshore facilities, including control room
  • 24 inch, 1.3 km long high pressure gas pipeline
  • Extensive earthworks, including tsunami bund wall and access road
Batangas LNG Terminal
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
Hamersley Iron (Rio Tinto) Construct only Dampier, Western Australia

Dampier Port Upgrade Phase A & B

We delivered a major wharf upgrade in two phases for Rio Tinto at Dampier Port, using modularisation to accelerate construction and reduce the cost of onsite labour.

Phase A included the construction of a 455 m wharf extension, a new access jetty, tail end structure, electrical deck, and modifications to the existing wharf.

Fast Facts

  • Two phase wharf upgrade
  • 600 m overall wharf extension
  • Extensive use of large scale modularisation
  • Work successfully completed within operating port without distruption
Dampier Port Upgrade Phase A & B
Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) Design and Construct Pilbara, Western Australia

FMG Berths 1-4

At the height of the Australian resources boom (2004-2014), we became the marine partner of choice for Fortescue Metals Group (FMG), as they developed the infrastructure to support their new iron ore export business.

Fast Facts

  • 4 major wharves completed over 5 years
  • Berth 1: 270 m wharf, 100 m approach jetty, load-out conveyor
  • Berth 2: 400 m wharf and extension to load-out conveyor
  • Berth 3: 375 m wharf, duplicate load-out system
  • Berth 4: 415 m wharf, elevated conveyor system
FMG Berths 1-4
South32 Construct Only Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory

Groote Eylandt GEMCO Wharf

One of Australia’s most ambitious marine recovery efforts

Following a destructive tropical cyclone, we were engaged by South32 to urgently restore and rebuild the cyclone-damaged GEMCO Wharf on Groote Eylandt. In less than 12 months, our project team achieved a major milestone—restarting operations after an intense and fast-tracked program of works.

To meet the challenge, we mobilised a sophisticated marine fleet from across Australia, Singapore, and the UAE. This included two large jack-up barges (Santa Fe and Pauline), two smaller jack-ups (Sealift 2 and Sealift 6), a 250-tonne crane barge, three flattop storage barges, and a support fleet of tugs and work punts. The mobilisation alone was a feat of logistics, setting the stage for a highly coordinated recovery effort.

Fast Facts

  • Fast-track salvage and wharf rebuild
  • 1037 tonnes of concrete and 998 tonnes of steel recovered from the seabed
  • 28 new piles and 13 large prefabricated steel units installed
Groote Eylandt GEMCO Wharf
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
BHP Mitsubishi Alliance Early Contractor Involvement Mackay, Queensland

Shiploader and Berth Replacement, Hay Point

Improving throughput and cyclonic wave immunity

We completed the main berth construction scope for BHP Mitsubishi Alliance's (BMA) SABR Project, using the Early Contractor Involvement process to develop a number of innovations.

SABR, short for 'Shiploader and Berth 2 Replacement', was a brownfields project located within the lease boundaries of BMA's existing Hay Point Coal Terminal near Mackay, Queensland. It included the disassembly and replacement of one of the existing shiploaders and berths to improve materials handling throughput and cyclonic wave immunity.

Fast Facts

  • Off-site fabrication of new berth topside modules
  • On-site preparatory works including modification of existing concrete caisson berth foundations
  • Disassembly and removal of existing berth and ship loader
  • Installation of new berth modules, tie-in and commissioning
  • Installation of new ship loader.
Shiploader and Berth Replacement, Hay Point
Samsung C&T Design & Construct Port Hedland, Western Australia

Roy Hill Iron Ore Project (Marine Works)

As part of the $10 billion Roy Hill Iron Ore project, we designed and constructed the Stanley Point Iron Ore Terminal at Port Hedland. We used substantial prefabrication and our innovative temporary works system for low impact, high productivity construction.

Our scope consisted of a two berth iron ore load out wharf, connected with a 3600 m long elevated road and overland conveyor to the ore stockyard. In addition to the wharf and the overland conveyor, we delivered an abutment, drive stations, three transfer stations and all SMPE&I works.

Fast Facts

  • Two berth load out wharf
  • 800 m long wharves
  • 30,000 T design and supply steelwork
  • 4.5 km of conveyor steelwork
  • 3,600 m elevated road and conveyor
  • Prefabrication to increase safety and savings to client
Roy Hill Iron Ore Project (Marine Works)
Creative Construction

Creative Construction

Creative Construction at McConnell Dowell is the inspired engineering behind the complex infrastructure we deliver.

It's the technical problems and challenges solved behind the scenes by people empowered to think creatively and work collaboratively. It’s the alternative idea or innovation that saves time, reduces cost, makes us safer, and delivers more value. 

It might not always be evident when you look at the end product, but it's there, inside every McConnell Dowell project.

Closing text - with contacts and Video

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.

Contact us through the link(s) at the bottom for advice or assistance with your project.

Contacts

Jan Matthé

Jan Matthé

Group Technical Director - Ports & Coastal

M: +65 9030 0989

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