40 million euros earmarked for Klaipéda breakwaters

A joint venture of Belgian hydraulic engineering company Herbosch-Kiere and German company Hecker Bau received in early September the final contract to repair and reinforce two breakwaters in the Lithuanian port of Klaipéda.

The port of Klaipéda has earmarked over 40 million euros for this project. Work will start in March 2021 and will last approximately two years. This is the first assignment in Lithuania for both companies.

The breakwaters, together over two kilometres in length, were built between 1834 and 1861 and are in urgent need of renovation. The renovation work consists mainly of removing old riprap in a coordinated way and then installing a new layer of rock armour of different gradings. In all, more than 400,000 tons of rock will be placed.

25-ton tetrapods and concrete blocks weighing up to 40 tons from the existing breakwaters will be reused in the new design. A new steel combiwall of sheet piles and tubular piles will also be installed, with underwater anchoring. The concrete top layer of the breakwaters will also be overhauled and associated dredging works carried out.

Klaipéda Sea Port in Lithuania plans to invest no less than 352 million euros in port infrastructure and dredging activities between 2020 and 2023, with the aim of making the port safer and more competitive. The port also wants to be accessible to larger ships in the future.

Benny De Sutter, CEO, Herbosch-Kiere said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract for the repair of the Klaipéda breakwaters and to be able to work together with Hecker Bau. It is our Flemish expertise in hydraulic engineering and the fact of using our own equipment and ships that won us this contract.”

Christoph Wellendorf, CEO Hecker Bau said: “We are convinced to be an ideal partner for Herbosch-Kiere as our marine business is based on a long successful track record. Our own fleet, skilled staff and experienced engineers will be a key factor of success. Together with Herbosch Kiere we extend now our activities in the Baltic Region and looking forward to further benefit of our established partnership.”

By Jake Frith