Kimberley Marine Support Base (KMSB) - Broome Floating Wharf
Client: TAMS Group
Location: Port of Broome, WA
Project scope
Broome's ageing wharf was unable to keep pace with the region's extreme tidal range — up to 10 metres within six hours — which restricted port operations to short tidal windows and limited the town's potential as a 24/7 logistics hub for resources, defence, cruise and regional freight. TAMS was engaged by the Kimberley Marine Support Base consortium to design and construct a new floating wharf and approach causeway at the Port of Broome, eliminating the need for dredging and enabling all-tide operations. The completed facility — a floating wharf with an approach trestle causeway and link-span ramp — was completed at the end of 2025 and is a 2026 Australian Construction Achievement Award finalist.
Roam Marine's scope
Headstock installation engineering
Roam Marine designed the temporary access platforms for the headstocks, the installation rigging used to lift and position them, and the trunnions that enabled the headstocks to be safely installed.
Temporary piling & construction support
Scope included design of the temporary piling frame used across the works, crane mats to support crane operations, and "crowsnest" platforms designed specifically for pile cut-off work at height above the water.
Longitudinal beam installation
Roam Marine designed the installation methodology for the longitudinal beams forming the causeway and wharf structure.
Linkspan bridge & restraint jacket lift engineering
Roam Marine carried out the installation rigging design and lift analysis for the linkspan bridge and the restraint jackets, ensuring these major lifts could be executed safely given their scale and the marine environment.
Northern & southern dolphin installation
Roam Marine designed the installation methodology for both the northern and southern dolphins supporting the wharf and berthing structure.
Temporary access systems
Scope also included the temporary gangway design connecting the headstocks, access platforms for the floating barge restraint structure, and a dedicated rigging platform for the restraint jackets — the connective, safety-critical infrastructure that made the rest of the construction sequence possible.
Now operational, the floating wharf enables uninterrupted, all-tide access for resources, defence, bulk cargo, livestock and cruise vessels
