Pilbara Ports Authority are proposing for capital dredging of a bypass navigation channel to the east of Zone 5 of the existing shipping channel within the Port of Port Hedland. The proposal is a strategic marine risk-mitigation project intended to maintain vessel transit at an acceptable reduced capacity, should a grounding incident occur in Zone 5 of the channel.

Key construction elements of the Proposal include dredging of up to 800,000 m3 of seabed material within a total disturbance of 162 ha (63 ha being within WA State waters) and disposal of dredge material to an approved spoil ground located within Commonwealth (port) waters.