Port of Rotterdam Authority and PUMA report smooth running of Maasvlakte 2 project

In its latest appraisal of progress on the major port expansion project in Rotterdam at Maasvlakte 2, Port of Rotterdam Authority and contractor PUMA report that construction of the project is running smoothly. The global ships service provider Wilhelmsen Ships Service is managing up to 14 of the in total 21 trailing suction hopper dredgers which are providing sand for the project.

The project Maasvlakte 2 involves land reclamation in the North Sea and dredging of the port basins to expand the existing port and industrial zone on the west side of Maasvlakte to provide 1000 hectares of new land for port activities and industry. Construction of the quay walls, roads and railways is part of the contract as well. 

The contractor of Maasvlakte 2 is PUMA (Project Organisation for the Expansion of the Maasvlakte), a joint venture between the Dutch dredging and marine contractors Boskalis and Van Oord. 

Wilhelmsen Ships Service is managing the formalities of co-ordinating with port authorities, customs, immigration and other areas of port liaison. The company also handles husbandry services such as crew changes, and sludge and waste disposals.

In mid-April the biggest quantity of sand ever was delivered to the project. Eleven trailing suction hopper dredgers of Boskalis and van Oord (PUMA) delivered 3,8 million m3 of sand in 1 week to the Maasvlakte 2 project area and as far as is known this is a world record.
By the end of April a total quantity of 120 million m3 of sand was handled, 50% of the sand needed for the first phase of the project until 2013. 

The project is on schedule. PUMA’s subcontractor Bavo MV2, a joint venture of BAM and Volker Wessels, started building the first quay wall in February. PUMA also started the construction at the Northwest side of the new land with the sea wall. At this side a peninsula of about 3 km was created during the last three months. A unique crane called 'Blockbuster' is standing by to place huge blocks of concrete as part of this sea wall, thus starting a new phase in the construction of the project.
(source:www.transportweekly.com)