Successful completion of DIO marine facility

The new facility in Portsmouth consists of a 15m by 85m jetty and will be used for loading ammunition.

The facility includes two mooring dolphins, two small vessel pontoons and provides docking and loading facilities for the UK Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyer. The jetty is self-contained and has generators and welfare facilities based upon it.

The Ministry of Defence awarded the design and construct contract to VolkerStevin Marine in December 2010. Actual work on site started in September 2011. The design was executed by Halcrow, with the assistance of VolkerWessels’ in-house designer VolkerInfra Design.

The facility is constructed with tubular steel piles and precast concrete elements which guaranteed a quick construction period with minimal disturbance to the environment. Placing 58 tubular steel piles, with average lengths of 35m, took just six weeks. The construction of the facility took only six months, while the cranes and M&E facilities were installed in four months. The cranes are equipped with the latest technology and the 34m boom can serve the Type 45 more than adequately.