Sugar Terminals Limited owns six terminals in Queensland, which are operated by QSL. They play a vital role in Australia's sugar market, handling over 90% of the raw sugar produced in Australia each year.
The Lucinda Jetty and Wharf provides the offshore loading facility for the Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal, located in Lucinda, North Queensland.
Project partners
- Asset owner: Sugar Terminals Limited (STL)
- Asset operator: Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL)
- Applicators: Advanced Aqua Blasting (AAB)
Coatings
- First coat: Dulux® Duremax® GFX at 500-microns (µm)
- Second coat: Dulux® Duremax® GFX at 500-microns (µm)
What was the challenge?
Stretching 5.76 kilometres into the Coral Sea, the Lucinda Jetty is the longest jetty in the Southern Hemisphere and conveys hundreds of thousands of tonnes of sugar out to shipping vessels each year.
Wharf dolphins and berthing structures, including headstocks, are constantly exposed to a highly corrosive marine environment. They are also extremely difficult to access, making their protection and maintenance both complex and costly.
Ensuring a high level of protection and an extended period between coatings are priorities for the asset owners and operators.
What were the inspection findings?
Duremax GFX has been protecting the Southern Mooring Dolphin since 2016. Regular coatings audits are conducted to confirm the condition and integrity of coatings.
The most recent coatings audit was conducted in 2022, six years after the first headstocks were first coated in Duremax GFX. This inspection revealed that the coatings were in excellent condition apart from staining from bird droppings and some chalking of the epoxy coating due to prolonged exposure to UV.
Coating rating after 6 years
Level 2
Up close
"Major challenges at Lucinda Jetty and Wharf include gaining access to the headstocks, and the cost of this access. The asset needed a coatings solution that provides maximum longevity between maintenance periods. That’s why we went with ultra-durable Duremax GFX. Given the incredibly harsh marine environment and high UV exposure, a coatings inspection rating of 2 after six years represents an excellent result." David Vivian, Dulux Protective Coatings Sales Coordinator for North Queensland.
System benefits
Two thick coats of Duremax GFX deliver lasting durability at Lucinda Wharf:
- Duremax GFX is a premium, high solids, high build, and surface tolerant epoxy with greatly enhanced resistance against corrosion.
- The high glass flake content in Duremax GFX creates a ‘torturous path’ for corrosive elements, making it extremely difficult for them to access the substrate.
- Ideal coating for coastal/offshore steelwork.
* Coating Inspection 5-Level Rating System
Coatings are inspected to determine the degree of deterioration. Ratings indicate the following condition status:
- No film damage other than dirt and minor staining
- Soiled, stained, ingrained dirt, chalking or loss of gloss
- Minor film damage (cracking, flaking or erosion of topcoats) in small areas
- Minor corrosion where up to 0.5% of the base metal is showing signs of rusting
- Widespread and excessive corrosion and damage
