Our engineers have been actively engaged with port authorities in developing engineering solutions which allow existing quays, wharves and jetties to be upgraded to receive vessels larger than those for which they were originally designed in addition to supporting the enhanced ship-to-shore handling equipment.
Such enhancement of operational equipment extends throughout the on-terminal area to transfer systems and stacking and storage areas. Upgrading has also included the widening and deepening of port approach channels, vessel turning areas and alongside depths at the berths.
Future expansion, flexibility and sustainability are key criteria adopted in our designs for new facilities lifecycle considerations form important considerations in our optioneering work. In many cases port operators wish to take larger vessels onto berths without berth enhancement and our engineers, using previous experience and working knowledge of the design standards, are able to provide advice on safe operational practices in respect of the specific requirements.
Port facilities are also regularly subjected to upgraded environmental control measures and standards to be achieved. Our environmental specialists can advise on means of improving operations to meet enhanced requirements and can devise good practice environmental management plans for port operations.
Recent changes in legislation have led to enhanced requirements for port security, in accordance with ISPS requirements. Mott MacDonald engineers have experience of applying these standards in practice for both new ports and in respect of upgrading existing systems.