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EODEX Expertly Delivering All Aspects of Offshore UXO Services
As the only commercial company utilisingproven cutting-edge low order technology,EODEX expertly deliver all aspects ofoffshore UXO services, offering a ‘onestop-shop’of consultancy, survey, disposaland full management of unexplodedordnance. Working with our clients inthe scoping, survey and pre-constructionphases of offshore and harbour projects,our experts analyse and mitigate the UXO risk at any site. With decades of commercialand military operational experience, ourteams based in our Aberdeen, Portsmouth,Sussex and London offices excel indelivering unmatched capability in the mostdemanding specialist operations.
Over 100,000 tonnes of unexploded ordnance lie in waters around the UK, left over from the First and Second World Wars. These UXO’s, mines and shells need to be cleared for the construction of offshore wind farms. Traditionally, these disposals are carried out by detonating the UXO or mine by a process called high order. This causes huge distress to the seabed geology and marine habitats, threatening the survival of whales, dolphins and other marine life. Marine mammals are dependent on their auditory system for navigation, feeding and communication; any noise trauma can cause permanent injury and can lead to mass stranding events, such as the Kyle of Durness in Scotland where in 2011, 39 long-finned pilot whales were beached following nearby munition disposals and later confirmed in a government investigation. A 2015 study found that 88 ordnance explosions in the North Sea had caused permanent hearing loss in 1,280 harbour porpoises.
Our unique ‘low order deflagration’ technology, used by 17 militaries globally and verified by the UK National Physical Laboratory (NPL), safely neutralises munitions on the sea floor without a damaging explosion which both harms sea life and destroys the seabed. A small low-density cone is fired using only 20 grams of explosive against the munition, causing its explosive contents to ‘burn out’ gently from the inside. The casing of the UXO cracks open, but importantly the munition does not detonate. This low order technology has now been formally recognised by UK government as being the preferred methodology for future commercial offshore UXO disposal campaigns.
EODEX are committed to delivering excellence across all aspects of our services. We pride ourselves on driving innovative technical solutions in challenging environments, providing outstanding customer service and using the very best personnel and equipment to support key customer requirements. Our ability to operate safely and reliably all over the world is the foundation of our operational excellence and our business performance. EODEX are well placed to deliver our specialist services working with our trusted partners and in-country experts.
EODEX are champions of the #StopSeaBlasts campaign heralded by Dame Joanna Lumley and supported by countless MPs across government. For more information visit: www.eodex.co.uk or contact info@eodex.co.uk or (0)207 971 1289.