Engineered Hydraulic System Replacement for Ship Access Ladder (SAL): Groote Eylandt Case Study

Project Overview

At Groote Eylandt, cyclone damage to the Ship Access Ladder (SAL) created an immediate requirement to restore safe and reliable ship access for ongoing operations.

The existing SAL hydraulic system was no longer fit for service, requiring a complete replacement to reinstate functionality in a remote marine environment.

 

The Challenge

The project required delivery under a combination of environmental, operational and logistical constraints:

· Remote site access with coordinated mobilisation requirements

· Exposure to marine conditions, including corrosion and environmental loading

· Critical safety requirements for personnel access systems

· Limited tolerance for downtime

Hydraulic systems in these conditions must operate consistently under load, with minimal maintenance requirements and high reliability.

 

The Solution

Custom Fluidpower was engaged to design and deliver a complete hydraulic system replacement for the SAL.

The system was engineered specifically for the application, considering operating conditions and service requirements.

Scope of Work:

· Hydraulic system design aligned to site requirements

· Supply of hydraulic components and associated hardware

· Logistics, installation and commissioning across Darwin and Groote Eylandt

The design approach prioritised durability, service access and consistent system performance.

 

Project Delivery

Delivery of the system required coordination across multiple teams and locations.

Custom Fluidpower led the hydraulic system design, supply and technical integration, working closely with Aussie Fluid Power (AFP), The Winnellie Group, and Nordon Cylinders to deliver the project from design through to commissioning.

AFP and The Winnellie Group provided on-site support during installation, while Nordon Cylinders supplied the hydraulic cylinders integral to system performance.

This coordinated approach ensured delivery aligned with operational requirements.

 

The Outcome

The project was completed in February 2026, restoring functionality to the Ship Access Ladder.

The installed system provides:

· Consistent hydraulic performance under operating conditions

· Improved safety for personnel access

· A system configuration suited to ongoing operational use

Engineering Considerations

Hydraulic systems supporting ship access infrastructure operate under constant exposure to load, environment and operational demand. Performance must remain consistent to maintain safe access and minimise disruption to operations.

Standard component replacement alone is often insufficient in these conditions. Achieving this requires application-specific system design, appropriate component selection and consideration of environmental conditions, supported by maintenance strategies aligned to actual operating requirements.

At Custom Fluidpower, projects like this are delivered through system design, integration and field support, with solutions engineered for reliable performance and serviceability in demanding Australian conditions.

If you have other questions regarding how the Custom Fluidpower team can optimise hydraulic performance in your operation, send your question to the team using this form.