In order to strengthen the position of the Freeport of Ventspils in the field of handling liquid and chemical cargoes, according to the order of the Freeport of Ventspils Authority, the berth located in the territory of the North breakwater undergoes reconstruction this year. The construction process is expected to cost almost €2 million in total.
Berth No. 35a of the Freeport of Ventspils is one of the three cargo handling berths at the North breakwater. During the reconstruction of Berth 35a, two new ship impingement piles are being constructed, which will make the existing berth compliant with modern cargo handling and safety requirements. Since Berth 35a is suitable for handling a variety of dangerous cargoes, the berth must meet the highest standards for the construction of hydraulic structures.
Renārs Pūce, representative of the berth lessee LLC (SIA) "VK Terminal Services": "Berth 35a plays an important role in the overall cargo nomenclature processing, as it is the closest deep-water berth to the onshore tanks, where we can already segregate operations for up to five different products. Since flexibility is important for the future, this berth will play the central role as it will be able to cover a proportionally larger range of customers’ needs. In addition to the existing technological capabilities to handle light petroleum products and petrochemicals (including methanol) at Berth 35a, it will also be possible to carry out so-called ship-to-ship transshipment operations, all in an environmentally friendly manner using a vapour collection unit. We are planning to adapt the pipeline system in the future to handle larger cargoes of food oil, which will allow the Port of Ventspils to significantly strengthen its competitiveness."
The contract for the reconstruction of Berth 35a was signed with the JSC (AS) BMGS for EUR 1.73 million (excluding VAT). Construction supervision is carried out by the LLC (SIA) Isliena V, but author’s supervision - the LLC (SIA) CHR Design Solutions.
It has already been reported that the EU Cohesion Fund co-financed project for the reconstruction and renovation of the hydraulic structures of the Freeport of Ventspils during which more than EUR 18 million were invested in the port infrastructure and both breakwaters, the coast reinforcement at the South breakwater and the fore-port coast reinforcement were renovated, was completed this year. Maintenance and renovation of the hydraulic structures of the Port of Ventspils are among the main tasks of the Freeport of Ventspils Authority to ensure the best conditions for cargo handling and transshipment for port operators.