At the terminus of the Seaton Channel in Middlesbrough, UK, a specialized yard is dedicated to dismantling and recycling outdated offshore platforms and their related infrastructure.
The Challenge of Channel Width
However, the massive size of these platforms renders the existing 85-meter-wide channel insufficient.
Boskalis Steps In
To address this, Boskalis Westminster Ltd. has been enlisted to widen the channel by an additional 15 meters.
Dredging Operations: Equipment and Strategy
Boskalis plans to use the versatile trailing suction hopper dredger Causeway and the powerful backhoe dredger Magnor for this task.
Enhancing Access for Offshore Waste
“This expansion will allow pontoons carrying heavy offshore waste to access the yard,” a company representative stated.
Supporting Vessels and Logistics
The operation will also involve the tugs Union Topaz and Union Onyx, which will transport dredged material on Terraferre barges 501 and 502 back and forth from the site.
Sustainable Dismantling for a Greener Future
By expanding the Seaton Channel, Boskalis is not only enhancing access for dismantling operations but also promoting sustainable recycling practices.