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Major dredging completed
24 MILLION m3 DREDGED IN POLISH PROJECT
Van Oord and DEME complete massive Polish dredging project.
One of the most important dredging projects in Poland’s history has been completed by marine construction and infrastructure fi rm Van Oord and dredging company DEME.
Approximately 24 million m3 of material was dredged from a channel 65km long, the Świnoujście-Szczecin Fairway, which has been deepened by 2m-12.5m to allow the next generation of vessels to get access from the Baltic Sea to the city of Świnoujście and the port of Szczecin.
Two artificial islands were then created from the dredged material, one of which has been established as a nature habitat and has attracting a wide range of birds, including rare species on the EU’s endangered list, says Van Oord.
“The rocks below the water are also proving popular with marine life. Additionally, more than 9,000 trees and bushes have been planted as part of the greenery works to create new habitats for the wildlife. Other green initiatives included DEME’s TSHD Scheldt River operating on LNG during the project, hybrid earthmoving machinery, and the use of solar panels at the Trzebiez marina.”
Hurdling challenges
Major hurdles, not least the pandemic lockdowns, did not delay the May 9 completion date of the works. ”Despite exceptional challenges, including carrying out most of the work during the pandemic and the presence of large amounts of unexploded ordnance, as well as thick ice in winter, the ambitious project was completed on time, highlighting the tremendous efforts of the JV team,” said Van Oord. ”DEME’s cutter suction dredger Amazone was mobilised at the very beginning of the pandemic, although there were lockdowns in both Poland and Belgium. When the project was nearing completion, it was hit by two heavy storms leading to a fresh build-up of sedimentation, which meant the team had to remobilise again to dredge to the target depth.”
More than 2,000 people worked on the project over its two-year duration, with the JV focusing on getting local parties involved as much as possible. Non-dredging works, for instance, were largely carried out by Polish firms, Van Oord says.
”Ten main dredging units were deployed along the Fairway, including Van Oord’s trailing suction hopper dredgers Vox Amalia and HAM317 and DEME’s Meuse River and dual fuel trailing suction hopper dredger Scheldt River. These next generation dredgers are all able to pump material over long distances – up to 8km in this case - without the need of a booster station.”
Workers also carried out shore protection work and underwater reinforcements, and installed cables and navigational aids. In total, the partners say 2.5 million man hours were worked.
8 Van Oord
and DEME’s ŚwinoujścieSzczecin Fairway project
BERTHING EXPERT PUT TO THE TEST
Inland & Coastal Marina Systems has delivered a workboat berthing solution for Foyle Port in Northern Ireland
The fi rm had to work within a short timeframe and with liited space available for inshore moorings, but Seawork exhibitor Inland & Coast Marina Systems managed to pull off the project.
“The tugs and workboats within the port at Lisahally, County Derry, need to be berthed close to the port terminal so that they’re readily available for work,” said Vincent Carey, ICMS sales engineer. “But space being extremely limited coupled with the loads generated by the size of the vessels meant we had to be creative with our solution.
“Our breakwater units were ideal as we can manufacture them in sections for easy transportation and installation, as well as offer variable freeboard heights to match those of the vessels using them.
“Accessed via a gangway, the 60m long by 4m wide breakwater is moored on chains with the ability to accommodate vessels with displacements up to 160 tonnes. Port operations are now able to proceed continuously and without delay as the commercial craft is on hand.”
On the other side of the Irish sea, following the award of a £1.2m contract by Ullapool Harbour Trust, visiting yachts, local leisure craft and small fishing vessels will be able to berth in the calm waters of Ullapool harbour, protected by an IMCS concrete breakwater.
Calum MacDougall, ICMS engineering sales manager based in Lossiemouth, Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded the contract to design, manufacture and install the extension to Ullapool’s existing berthing facilities, helping the harbour maximise its commercial potential.
“Supplied with various freeboard heights to accommodate commercial and leisure vessels of different sizes, all berths will be fully serviced with electricity, lighting and water, offering users a stable platform and easy access to their vessel.
“We’ll also be ensuring the harbour has the ultimate in heavy weather protection, through the provision one of our tried and tested wave attenuating floating breakwaters. We’re looking forward to starting work on this exciting new project later this year, once the new esplanade and Shore Street civil works have been completed.”
Inland & Coastal Marina Systems has built projects all over the British Isles.
Last year, a ‘U’ shape pontoon built at Mallaig allowed lifeboats to berth inside it, with the 2m x 0.6m inflatable fenders lifeted to the sides’ inner faces.
The units, which comprised the pontoon, were manufactured and assembled offsite and delivered completed so they could be lifted straight from the lorry and positioned into position without delay.
Topped with anti-slip GRP decking, the new pontoon and bridge system offers Mallaig RNLI Lifeboat Station a more stable platform to access its Severn class lifeboat.
8 Tug Strathfoyle makes use of the 60m long by 4m wide breakwater
