The 653m long jetty will provide two berths for ships of up to 150,000dwt (which can also be used for barges) as well as two berths for barges of up to 20,000dwt.

There will be four fuel oil loading arms of 12in at the two larger berths and a smaller 10in loading arm at each berth, as well as one jet/diesel loading arm of 12in for ships, two jet loading arms of 10in for barges and one diesel loading arm of 10in for barges. The water depth in this part of the port means extra long piles are required for the jetty. It will rest on 186 steel piles to lengths of 50m and diameters of up to nearly 1m.

A further 43 steel piles longer than 50m and of diameters to 3m will be required for the catwalks, fender walls and bollards.

Speaking at a ceremonial first pile driving this month, Port of Rotterdam Authority executive board chairman Hans Smit said, 'In the past the jetties were constructed by the companies.

However, a few years ago the Authority also began to invest in these facilities, usually in the substructure.

'Liquid bulk goods are a growth market and the Port intends to grow with the market.

In addition to their commercial appeal, sufficient jetties and bollards literally offer a safe haven for the board to board transhipment of oil products that currently take place on the open sea.'

MJ Information No: 21509