A delegation from the Dutch site has visited Valencia to learn about the construction techniques of the Valencian docks that they want to implement in the Port of Rotterdam
Officials from the Port Authority of Valencia (PAV) explained how the caisson quays work and the technical and administrative characteristics for carrying out this type of work
They also showed interest in Valenciaport’s sustainability projects such as the electrification of docks, the use of hydrogen and photovoltaic plants
València, February 14th, 2023.- A delegation of technicians from the Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s main port area which handles more than 15 million containers, has visited the Port of Valencia to learn about the construction technique of caisson quays. The experience of the Valencian site in this type of technique is applicable to the development of a terminal extension project in the Dutch city. For this reason, the representatives of the Port of Rotterdam have met with the infrastructure team of the Port Authority of Valencia (PAV) to learn first hand about this technique, which is widely used in Spanish ports, as opposed to the sheet piling technique which is more common in the ports of Northern Europe.
The head of Territorial Management of the PAV, Carmen García, and the head of Infrastructures, Marcelo Burgos, were in charge of explaining to the Dutch representatives the technique of dock construction with caissons. The delegation was made up of Jeroen van Meel, Project Manager of the Port of Rotterdam; Ingrid Das, responsible for tenders and contracting of maritime infrastructures; Edwin van Vugt, project coordinator; Gauke de Vries, construction contract manager; Silvia Pubben and Erik Broos, port engineers of the Port of Rotterdam.
This type of quay consists of prefabricated reinforced concrete caissons that are floated to their final location, where they are anchored and filled with concrete or aggregates. “The team from the Port of Rotterdam contacted us because they wanted to learn about this technique, as they are going to apply it to the extension of one of their terminals. At Valenciaport we have offered to offer them our experience in this construction formula, to provide our know-how to the Dutch engineers and to exchange experiences on this type of infrastructure, covering the entire process, from design, contracting, construction and maintenance”, explained Marcelo Burgos. The PAV technicians also explained the bidding phases of these projects, the relevant information that should be passed on to the bidders and the planning of the execution process of the works, among other aspects.
After the technical meeting, the Dutch team also held a meeting with Raúl Cascajo, head of Environmental Policies of the PAV, with the aim of learning about the projects being carried out by Valenciaport to reduce the carbon footprint, and specific projects such as the electrification of the docks, the use of hydrogen or the installation of photovoltaic plants.
The day was rounded off with a visit by sea to the different docks of the Port of Valencia, during which explanations continued on the way of working in terms of infrastructures.