Melbourne Liner Island

[Docker123]

Robert Doyle, Lord Mayor of Melbourne, has put forward the idea of making an artificial island in Port Phillip Bay to attract liners too big for Port Melbourne. Or perhaps all cruise ships.

 

Passengers could then be ferried up the river to Docklands (although Southbank would be more sensible).

 

Thoughts cruise-ophiles?

 

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/robert-doyle-suggests-manmade-island-in-bay-to-lure-more-luxury-cruise-ships-20161230-gtk4p1.html

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Its a nice idea...but I think he's dream'n.....

I have a feeling there are other factors in play that prevent the mega cruise ships from calling at Melbourne.

Namely the dredging of the channel, the silting of the Bay and the sharp

entrance from the sea.

We probably wont be around to see it , but one day both Melbourne , and Auckland will be too expensive to dredge......:eek:

[GUT2407]

So let's make Melbourne a tender Port, not what I see as a good idea.

[claudio]

hes an idiot

the rci ship fits but rci wont risk it through the heads in case of engine failure

[Aussie FF]

I heard on a radio program, a while ago, that the reason more cruise ships don't come to Melbourne, is that it has one of the most expensive docking fees in the world.

I don't know if this is true.

[6666oz]

Passengers could then be ferried up the river to Docklands (although Southbank would be more sensible).

 

Thoughts cruise-ophiles?

 

 

Thoughts, well for his entire public life I have never heard Robert Doyle say one intelligent thing, the guts of the bay was dredged out to allow mega container ships with a draft of up to 14 meters (49 feet) to get up the channel, when you look at mega cruise ships like the Harmony of the seas it has a puny draft of only 9.32 meters so the cruise ships already have plenty of room to get into the bay and dock at the wind swept barren waste land called Docklands.

 

The problem with ferrying people to Southbank, IE next to where Prince's Bridge passes over the Yarra is, the height of the Ferry.

 

The bridges over the Yarra river are not very high and at high tide its a real squeeze for the few pleasure ferry's that operate there now, if you are standing on the outside deck of the ferry you can get your head knocked off hitting the bridges, on some days high tide the top of the roof of the ferry just misses the bridges by inches, so for a mega cruise ship the ships tenders could not be used to get past the bridges, so to ferry 5000 people to the heart of the city would require special made low roof ferry's, but the time it would take to ferry pax from an island up the Yarra river to South bank or the wind swept barren waste land called Docklands, is a long trip and would be very time consuming .

So whats stopping the mega cruise ships coming here already is anybody's guess.

 

If you are ever in Melbourne take a ferry ride to Williams town its a nice trip.

Edited January 1, 2017 by 6666oz

[Ship Drongo]

Thoughts, well for his entire public life I have never heard Robert Doyle say one intelligent thing, the guts of the bay was dredged out to allow mega container ships with a draft of up to 14 meters (49 feet) to get up the channel, when you look at mega cruise ships like the Harmony of the seas it has a puny draft of only 9.32 meters so the cruise ships already have plenty of room to get into the bay and dock at the wind swept barren waste land called Docklands.

 

The problem with ferrying people to Southbank, IE next to where Prince's Bridge passes over the Yarra is, the height of the Ferry.

 

The bridges over the Yarra river are not very high and at high tide its a real squeeze for the few pleasure ferry's that operate there now, if you are standing on the outside deck of the ferry you can get your head knocked off hitting the bridges, on some days high tide the top of the roof of the ferry just misses the bridges by inches, so for a mega cruise ship the ships tenders could not be used to get past the bridges, so to ferry 5000 people to the heart of the city would require special made low roof ferry's, but the time it would take to ferry pax from an island up the Yarra river to South bank or the wind swept barren waste land called Docklands, is a long trip and would be very time consuming .

So whats stopping the mega cruise ships coming here already is anybody's guess.

 

If you are ever in Melbourne take a ferry ride to Williams town its a nice trip.

 

The reasons why more cruise ships don't come to Melbourne are:

 

1. Geographically, Melbourne is too far South and ocean and climatic conditions do not make for an all year around cruising season.

2. Station Pier facilities are ancient and inadequate despite makeovers. Road infrastructure and the terminal could not cope with more than 1 mega-ship at a time.

3.Station Pier is the only pier available and can only accommodate 3 ships apart from the Tasmanian ferry

4. The adjacent Princes Pier was used until the 1970's but is now unusable due to modern apartment development.

 

Mayor Doyle's idea is a pipe dream, but I commend him on his innovative ideas.

 

As per previous post the Port Phillip Bay entrance was adequately dredged some years ago. This is not an issue.

 

Port of Melbourne ship charges are cheaper than Sydney's, so that is not the issue. We as Melbournians must acknowledge that Sydney is the premier port and geographically better placed. Sydney will always host more ships, however, Melbourne can do something to increase ship usage:

 

1. Re-do road infrastructure to/from Station Pier using fly-overs.

2. Initially, extend the pier seaward and build a new terminal accommodating 4 ships.

3. Thereafter, demolish and rebuild existing part of the pier accommodating 3 ships plus the Tasmanian ferry.

4. And/or build a terminal at Victoria Harbour, Docklands for 3 ships. This would accommodate smaller ships up to about 70,000 tonnes, importantly the luxury cruise market. Larger ships cannot pass under the West Gate Bridge.

 

Yes the investment required by government/private corporations is substantial. But the returns in the form of increased tourism would be worth it.

 

All it takes is some effort.:D

[Docker123]

There have been a couple of posts of cruise ships at Docklands. However, the clearance of the Bolte Bridge is only about 25m. Ships cannot get under it.

 

Port Melbourne is rated as taking ships up to 400m and 10.3m draft. Notionally could handle just about any cruise ship. Being landbased, can much more easily reprovision ships.

 

Yes, the road infrastructure in Port Melbourne is appalling. However, the residential development over the last 15-20 years works against quick remedies. Even now, on ship days it can become an absolute carpark. The terminal infrastructure is nowhere near the required standard.

 

Has there been a specific announcement from RCL or others about why they do not visit with the super mega cruisers?

[chengkp75]

hes an idiot

the rci ship fits but rci wont risk it through the heads in case of engine failure

 

Can't speak about the mayor, but I don't believe this is the reason. Every single one of the container ships and tankers that go up the river into Melbourne harbor have one engine connected to one propeller, and they don't seem to have any problem. A cruise ship with 4-6 diesel generators on a common bus, feeding two propellers, or 2-3 azipod units have so much more redundancy in propulsion and steering, not to mention far more thrusters (many cargo ships don't have any) for maneuvering in tight areas.

[VK3DQ]

Hi Folks

 

 

Lets forget about Melbourne and build a complete new cruise pier and terminal at Mornington .. now that would show some sense

 

Bring the Cruise ships into one of the nicest parts

 

it was a Major port at one time years ago , see

http://www.discovermorningtonpeninsula.com.au/fascinatingfacts/paddle-steamers.php

 

 

Best Regards

 

John

[Ship Drongo]

Hi Folks

 

 

Lets forget about Melbourne and build a complete new cruise pier and terminal at Mornington .. now that would show some sense

 

Bring the Cruise ships into one of the nicest parts

 

it was a Major port at one time years ago , see

http://www.discovermorningtonpeninsula.com.au/fascinatingfacts/paddle-steamers.php

 

 

Best Regards

 

John

 

Great idea!

[Aussie FF]

Great idea!

 

Also agreeing, as I live in this area, but I'm in enough trouble already.:D

[Docker123]

Gen Pier in Williamstown, please.

 

Already has ferries to the city and I can walk there from home.