Printer Friendly
Email a Friend
Portsmouth Gets Flexible with Double Deck Linkspan
01 Aug 2002
Portsmouth Commercial Port has unveiled engineering plans that will transform Berth 3 at the continental ferry port by providing a new double deck linkspan with the flexibility to meet the loading requirements of modern cruise ferries and fast craft. The decision to proceed with the £7 million project reflects Portsmouth City Council's commitment to the future development of the port.
On completion, the new linkspan will be 50% bigger than the largest linkspan currently operating at the port. The fully self contained floating structure will offer a greater degree of flexibility with its ability to change its freeboard from minimum to maximum in less than 15 minutes. This will provide greater headroom between the decks and a top deck that can move independently of the lower deck. These features will allow the linkspan to accept a wide variety of ship and cargoes.
Phase 1 of the project, to supply a lower deck linkspan, has already gone out to tender, with Phases 2 and 3, to supply an upper deck and the steel viaduct, expected to follow shortly.
Timing of the engineering works is crucial and scheduled to coincide with the slower winter period, commencing in October and due for completion in March 2003.
The 700 tonne lower deck linkspan is due for completion by the end of January 2003.
Measuring 32m long by 45m wide, it will be capable of carrying three lanes of heavy goods vehicles simulataneously, 180 tonnes of abnormal vehicles, or double-stacked MAFI trailers.
Providing for two lanes of heavy goods vehicles, the 500 tonne upper deck linkspan to be constructed in Phase 2 will offer vertical flexibility of 2m in relation to the lower deck and 4.5m of horizontal flexibility which will accomodate different headroom requirements as well as providing clearance for vessels of different bow/stern configurations.
The decision to undertake the work was instigated by P&O's announcement to replace its two ferries currently operating on the Portsmouth/Cherbourg route with a one ship operation offering greater freight capacity.
During the construction period, provision for P&O's new ship will be made on other berths at the continental ferry port.
MJ Information No: 17324
Images for this article - click to enlarge
Unless otherwise stated, all images copyright © Mercator Media 2008. This does not exclude the owner's assertion of copyright over the material.
