US fuel tanks in Top End not built for severe | Australian Markets

Giant fuel tanks being built at a value of $270 million for the US navy in the Top End are not designed to resist a class three cyclone, have sprung leaks and lack a building allow.

But the Northern Territory authorities is working with the contractors, US company Crowley, to finish Project Caymus in Darwin Harbour to Australia’s required security, construction and environmental requirements.

The 11 tanks are designed to carry 300 million litres of fuel to help Darwin-based US navy operations in the Indo-Pacific.

They are built on NT authorities land and have been on account of be operational in September 2023 however have but to carry fuel on account of leaks and water intrusion round their bases.

An engineering report obtained by the ABC stated the tanks ought to be classed at “importance level four”, the very best classification for buildings containing supplies succesful of inflicting hazardous circumstances that stretch past property boundaries.

Instead the tanks have been initially designed at significance degree two, the classification for a car storage, shed or suburban yard workshop.

The report, accomplished in December 2023, stated Crowley had specified the tanks be designed at a wind velocity of 249.5km/h however they have been designed for 193.5km/h.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Tracy decimated Darwin in 1974, with gusts of up to 217km/h earlier than wind recording devices failed.

Gusts during a class three cyclone can attain up to 224km/h, in response to the Bureau of Meteorology.

“Failure of the tanks in a cyclonic wind event could result in over 200 million litres of flammable and/or combustible liquid becoming uncontained,” stated the report cited by the ABC.

Such a failure would trigger hazardous circumstances past the property boundaries and to important population areas and strategic amenities with “catastrophic consequences on people, property and the environment”, the report stated.

Crowley stated all required approvals could be obtained from the NT authorities and different related authorities to adjust to security, construction and environmental requirements.

The NT Department of Lands, Planning and the Environment confirmed to AAP the tanks lacked a building allow however it was determined not to pursue legal or punitive motion.

The division stated it was working with Crowley for it to offer unbiased verification of the “required safety, construction, and environmental standards and considerations”.

“This independent evidence is necessary to determine that the tanks meet Australian standards that will ensure the project can be completed and operated,” it stated.