Dredging Program

Port of Melbourne has ongoing dredging obligations to ensure the safe passage of ships visiting the port.

Dredging has been routinely conducted in Port Phillip and the port area for over 100 years to maintain the declared channel depths and allow the safe navigation of vessels and the efficient transport of cargo.

Each year approx. 2,600 ships visit the Port and larger vessels require greater draught. This means the distance between the bottom of the vessels’ hull and seabed need to accommodate the biggest ships.

95,000 hectares of Port waters are managed by the Port of Melbourne with 52km of shipping channels requiring dredging every two years.

2026

In the October industry update, we committed to keeping stakeholders up to date on our dredging campaigns.

From late-November 2026, a routine campaign will begin in select northern port channels and berths, using Water Injection Dredging (WID) and Sweeping over a period of four weeks. WID applies low-pressure water to gently loosen fine sediment on the riverbed, allowing natural movements to shift the material.

These works form part of PoM’s ongoing responsibilities to help keep shipping channels safe and accessible for vessels visiting the port.

The image above highlights a new innovative Controlled Flow Excavation (CFE) trial. This short, one week trial will test a new method for managing isolated sandwave shoaling and help inform future dredging strategies. We’ll share the outcomes of the trial once it’s complete.

PoM is committed to carrying out works around port operations and in accordance with relevant environmental approvals included in the Environment Management Plan available via the link at the bottom of this page.

As part of these environmental commitments, neither campaign will use Trailing Suction Hopper Dredges (TSHD) during the seasonal restriction that protects the Australian grayling’s migration through the Yarra River and Williamstown Channels.

This webpage will be updated as further information becomes available.

March 2026

From Monday 2 to Friday 6 March 2026, Port of Melbourne undertook a short sweeping program within key areas of the South Channel and Port Melbourne Channel. Sweeping activities were planned around shipping operations, avoiding impacts on port services. The works targeted selected sections of the channels to ensure safe operation.

2025

From mid-April to mid-May 2025, Port of Melbourne undertook dredging and sweeping works in and around the Southern and Northern areas of Port Phillip Bay.

Routine dredging works ensure that the declared depth at, and in the vicinity of, berths and channels in the Port of Melbourne
are maintained for the safe operation of shipping.

Activity was carried out by our contractors Boskalis Australia Pty Ltd and Polaris Marine Pty Ltd in the following areas of the port:

  • South Channel
  • Appleton Dock
  • Swanson Dock
  • South Wharf
  • Maribyrnong
  • Yarra River Channel
  • Webb Dock
  • Gellibrand Pier swing basin
  • Williamstown Channel
  • Western By-Pass Channel
  • Eastern By-Pass Channel

The Notice to Mariners for the works can be found here.

To download the project’s Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Click here.

To download the CFE Tool Trial Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Click here.

For more information call 1300 857 662 or email community@portofmelbourne.com