Daru Port

Daru is the provincial capital of the Western Province of PNG and is located in the Gulf of Papua, to the south of the mouth of the Oriomo River, and southwest of the Fly River Delta. Papua New Guinea Sustainable Development Program (PNGSDP) is developing a deep water sea port off the Island of Daru. The port will initially be used for the export of resources from the Ok Tedi Mine and transhipment opportunities for other bulk commodities from PNG and Northern Australia. Douglas Partners (DP) was subcontracted through Canstruct Pty Ltd on behalf of PNGSDP to undertake the geotechnical and groundwater investigation works for the port project.

The port works include overwater investigation for the port and approach channels, land based drilling for the nearby Daru facilities, and a preliminary investigation for a potential groundwater source on Daru. In addition to the port works, an investigation in the Oriomo region included: subsurface material assessment for founding the industrial structures, river wharf facilities, assessment of potential rock source areas and a potential groundwater source to support the industrial area and for piping to Daru. Douglas Partners‘ personnel undertook the port investigation works on a 3 week rotation basis including provision of an onsite non-NATA registered laboratory to enable rapid soil assessments.

Douglas Partners draws on its extensive geotechnical and groundwater experience in PNG, including previous cross-island gas pipeline studies, mine feasibility studies, port works, pipeline and drilling pad investigations for oil and gas projects, road construction, and regional groundwater supplies in East New Britain Province, West New Britain Province, Central Province, and Southern Highlands Province, to ensure the success of this challenging project.