Costain has long been recognised as a leading player in the marine civil engineering sector from building the Mulberry Harbours in World War II, to the Thames Barrier and Cardiff Bay Barrage.

'Without a doubt the next four years are exciting times within the marine sector, said Costain's marine director Mike Toulson. 'Our challenge, given the huge amount of opportunity, will be to secure a major proportion of this work and to deliver for the customer.'

Increasing freight, passenger and container volumes are driving the need for development at UK ports, with existing facilities set to reach capacity by 2010.

Current forecasts predict annual growth in container traffic between 4.2% and 5.9% until 2020, with ever larger trade vessels arriving, principally from China.

'With container traffic growing at an exponential rate, the need for port facilities capable of receiving the largest vessels is driving major expansion,' added Toulson.

Approved developments at Felixstowe, Shellhaven in Essex, Harwich, Liverpool and Teesside represent £800m of opportunity in a market valued at £3.5bn over the next four years.

Costain has already completed four Hutchison projects at Felixstowe, including Trinity Terminal III, with over 900m of container quay. 'We have a good track record, said Toulson, 'and we are pursuing all the major UK developments.'

Those include the South Reconfiguration at Felixstowe and DP World’s £350m London Gateway project. The marine element can often represent just part of the works. Infrastructure improvements are increasingly required for development and operating as One Costain, there are associated opportunities for Highways, Rail and Water. Costain is preferred contractor on the Riverside Resource ‘Energy from Waste’ plant at Belvedere, which includes a £21m jetty.

Internationally, Costain recently partnered China Harbour Engineering on the largest caisson breakwater in the world, at Costa Azul in Mexico and will selectively pursue further opportunities. China alone has said it needs 26 new ports, so the market is enormous.

Costain's decision to exhibit at Seawork 2008 provides an opportunity to raise the  brand profile amongst valued customers and their supply chain. The company looks forward to meeting with customers in demonstration of its capability to deliver value and innovative solutions in the exciting market environment.