By Karen Peattie
TWO contracts worth £60 million have been awarded for the Aberdeen Harbour expansion project (AHEP) as it nears completion later this year.
Van Oord will act as the principal contractor for the 550-metre South Breakwater while Scottish-based construction firm Beattie FRC will build the concrete Crown Wall along the length of the North Breakwater.
Both structures will provide critical protection for vessels and operations, ultimately protecting vessels berthed in the harbour from the elements and a “one in 300-year” storm.
Keith Young, AHEP project director at Aberdeen Harbour board, said: “The construction of the South Breakwater and Crown Wall form a significant part of the final 30 per cent of construction, and I look forward to seeing the structures take shape in the coming months.
“Van Oord and Beattie FRC bring a wealth of engineering skill and innovation to the project, and their work will ultimately ensure smooth and safe marine and land-based operations at South Harbour for our customers and port users.”
Work is starting immediately. The 10-metre-high Crown Wall – or wave wall – will be built using concrete produced at the batching plant on the north-west corner of the expansion site. It will ensure that extremely high waves cannot obstruct operations on the East Quay (Dunnottar Quay).
The £350m Aberdeen Harbour expansion project is the largest marine infrastructure project under way in the UK. Once complete, Aberdeen Harbour will be the largest berthage port in Scotland and will accommodate vessels up to 300 metres in length.
Paul Hesk, area manager at Van Oord, said: “We are very pleased that Aberdeen Harbour board has entrusted us with delivering a further critical element of its harbour expansion project. Our experienced site team will deploy specialist equipment and methodologies to ensure the new breakwater is constructed safely, whilst at the same time minimising the impact of our work on the marine environment and rich wildlife of the surrounding area.”
Vincent O’Donnell, director at Beattie FRC, said: “The Aberdeen Harbour expansion project is a significant project for Scotland, and we are proud to build the Crown Wall, which is significant to the overall running of South Harbour. We look forward to working on site this year.”
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