POSCO, Behind the Scenes of Winning the Project to Build 9 New Bridges in Australia

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] POSCO has decided to supply all the steel plates for a large-scale infrastructure construction project aimed at alleviating traffic congestion in downtown Australia.

According to POSCO on the 16th, the steel supply for Australia's "West Gate Tunnel Project" began in July last year and is expected to be completed by May this year.

The West Gate Tunnel Project is a large-scale infrastructure development project in Australia that involves building nine new bridges and one twin tunnel on the section leading from the Port of Melbourne to the city center. The construction connects approximately 5 km from Melbourne to Docklands, started in 2018, and aims for completion in 2022.

To win this project, POSCO obtained new certification from the Australian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels (ACRS). Although the Gwangyang Steelworks had already acquired ACRS certification, a new certification was required to produce the thin steel (sheet steel) desired by the client. POSCO explained that obtaining the new certification typically takes nine months, making it seem impossible to secure the project.

POSCO stated, "Winning the project was due to POSCO's technological capabilities and marketing strength," adding, "We proposed a reverse design applying a steel grade that offers higher quality and lower cost than the steel grade suggested by the client."

Overseas subsidiaries also actively participated in this project. POSCO China traveled weekly distances of three to four hours to persuade ZPMC, a Chinese manufacturer of structural components for the project bridges. They directly checked the client's situation and relayed it to the Korean headquarters, and to reduce the client's handling costs, they proposed utilizing the Zhangjiagang pier of POSCO's stainless steel production subsidiary in China, ZPSS, thereby strengthening marketing efforts.

Meanwhile, the Pohang Steelworks launched a "joint operation" to obtain the ACRS certification in a short period. They sent multiple official letters to the authority to simplify the documentation required for certification application and negotiated to conduct on-site inspections at the steelworks while preparing the documents. Ultimately, they completed the certification in three months, much faster than the expected nine months.

The West Gate Tunnel Project will create a new green space covering 90,000 square meters and install walking paths and bicycle roads extending over 14 km in length.

POSCO said, "This is not simply a construction project for tunnels and bridges but a project that improves the quality of life for Melbourne citizens," adding, "If you ever come across this bridge in Australia, you can proudly take pride in it."