Gujarat Chemical Port Ltd. (GCPL) has completed a heavy-lift installation for Dahej berth expansion.
Afcons was contracted to construct the new liquid cargo berth, which was completed by JSI Alliance and required the installation of eight jackets and fifteen berthing dolphins weighing between 500 and 600 t, at an outreach of 10 m.
The location is subject to a 10 m tidal rise, resulting in currents of up to 5 kn. To compound matters, the seabed is comprised of sand, rendering many conventional mooring solutions unsuitable.
This resulted in severe space restrictions, leading to further mooring complexities.
The first loadout commenced on 3 December at Dighi Port. In total, the Jumbo Javelin made six voyages.
The last item was installed on 14 March, before the vessel departed for Dighi Port for demobilisation, which took place over just seven and a half days.
Following this, the Jumbo Javelin sailed on to Singapore to return equipment to suppliers. Discharge was completed in two days and, on 6 April, the project was fully completed.
To absorb the significant forces involved, it was necessary to strengthen the vessel with additional steel. Installation of the spread called upon anchor handling support vessels with sufficient capacity for the heavy-duty components employed.
The vessels were required to perform the mooring installation during a four-hour tidal window, when the current was at its lowest speed.
Once connected to the mooring spread, the Jumbo Javelin remained in position for several days at a time, thereby avoiding interruption to berthing operations.
JSI Alliance project manager, Robert de Waard, said: “The successful completion of this project is a testament to the teamwork, expertise and commitment of everyone involved.
“By drawing on the shared resources and capabilities of the JSI Alliance, we were able to develop a solution tailored to the complex site conditions and deliver the project safely and efficiently.”
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