Due to the increase in size of modern container shipping vessels, PSA intend to upgrade and widen the existing berth for larger vessels to berth in their facilities.
As the larger vessels require a deeper water depth to operate, therefore it is also a requirement in the project to deepen the existing seabed to -13.0m ACD.
After careful and detailed planning, it was decided that demolition of the deck area will commence first, with the means of a hydraulic breaker mounted onto an excavator. Thereafter, all existing piles were extracted with a 200 Ton crane barge deployed onsite. The dredging works which is also part of the scope of works will be performed by means of a clam shell dredger.
Close coordination with the vessels around the work site ensured that works were executed in a safe and smooth manner. Once, all demolition and dredging works had been completed, a hydrographic survey was conducted to verify that the seabed had been dredged to -13.0m ACD. Complimented with a side scan survey, we ensured that no physical objects such as existing piles were left on the seabed.
Working in a marine environment always poses a huge challenge as compared to construction activities conducted on land. Nevertheless, the construction team of HSL managed to overcome all difficulties to deliver a project which provided a platform for enhanced port operations.