LDD, part of infrastructure services company Acteon, is undertaking a contract with George Leslie to perform piling works on the Kennacraig ferry terminal in Scotland.
The company is supplying reverse circulation drilling (RCD) services to construct a new sheet pile quay wall at the terminal. The project is being undertaken in challenging ground conditions with hardness ranging from 90 to 150 MPa.
“It is exciting to embark on a new collaboration with George Leslie, especially on such a complex port infrastructure enhancement project,” said James Dobson, head of projects, LDD.
“We look forward to continuing this collaboration and implementing our expertise in marine foundation construction across varying soil conditions, as well as growing our relationship to enable future projects together.”
Bigger and better
The piling works will upgrade the port infrastructure to facilitate the use of new vessels and the improvements are part of the New Islay Vessel Enabling Works project spanning the three sites of Port Ellen, Kennacraig and Port Askaig.
As part of the upgrades at Kennacraig, a new steel tubular pile quay wall is being constructed in front of the existing sheet pile quay wall, with an associated new pile ramp structure.
Additionally, vertical piles are being socketed into the underlying bedrock to support the new ramp structure.
The tubular steel piles are being driven and socketed into the underlying bedrock, extended via a bored rock socket, and infilled with reinforced concrete.
The drilling work started in January 2024 and is expected to be completed in September this year.
LDD is performing the work from the Haven Seariser 2 jack-up barge supplied by Red7Marine. The equipment used includes a drilling rig, hydraulic power pack, gripper can, NW500 flange weighted collar and a bottom hole assembly.
