Wireline Issue 52 Winter 2021

The South Harbour as it will look

shore infrastructure ahead of next year’s opening. This will involve scopes ranging from infill operations behind the quays to additional construction work at the quays and laydown areas, as well as the introduction of utilities. There remains a constant focus on environmental issues; the project team Aberdeen Harbour The project reached a key milestone this summer when the last of 22 huge concrete caissons – fundamental elements of the harbour structure – arrived on site and was secured in place. The 8,000-tonne blocks were made in Spain and transferred to the Cromarty Firth for storage, before being individually towed to Aberdeen. The caissons – central to the port’s heavy lift capacity – are each around 50m in length and up to 15 metres in width and depth. Meanwhile, more than 9,000 accropodes have been made for the north and south breakwaters at South Harbour, to help protect quayside operations from large waves. The biggest of the specially built concrete blocks weigh 34 tonnes.

includes a dedicated environmental manager responsible for minimising the impact of the construction phases. Indeed, this September also saw the appointment of a newchief executive for the harbour, Bob Sanguinetti. Having joined from the UK Chamber of Shipping, he arrives in time to oversee the completion of works and the beginning of full operations – described by the board as “one of the most pivotal points in the port’s history.” “The development as a whole is very exciting for everyone involved,” says Luigi. “There’s a real buzz of positivity around it. Construction has made phenomenal progress in recent months and people can begin to see what it’s all about – they can see the huge potential it holds. “We’re detecting a lot of enthusiasm for it in the market and we know that projects are already being planned with the new port in mind. “But it’s not just for the short or medium term – this is helping to future-proof Aberdeen economically and giving the energy supply chain further reason to be confident about the future. Aberdeen Harbour is a trust, so we’re focused on a long-term vision and ambitions – the harbour dates back to 1136 and we plan to be around for quite some time yet.”

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