A NEW anchoring system installation, designed to accommodate and secure the large concrete caisson gates of Kishorn Port’s dry dock facility, has been successfully deployed at the port in the West Highlands of Scotland.
Highland marine equipment firm Gael Force Group was awarded the £1m contract by Kishorn Port Ltd (KPL) to manage the specification, sourcing and delivery of mooring equipment for the dry dock facility. The moorings were designed to allow the gates to be safely secured whilst the dry dock is open. Gael Force also oversaw the installation of the equipment, selecting Green Marine Energy Services of Orkney to carry out deployment and positioning of the hardware in Loch Kishorn.
The two dry dock gates are of a considerable size each measuring 83 metres in length and weighing 11,000 tonnes when floated. The Dock is believed to be amongst one of the largest in the world, with up to 13.8m MHWS. For the installation comprising two anchor arrays, 10tonne High Holding Power Bruce Anchors were specified.
Previous well-known construction projects to have taken place at the facility includes the Ninian Central oil and gas platform, the formation of two caissons for supporting the Skye Road Bridge and most recently the port welcomed the Ocean GreatWhite drilling rig for pre-drilling preparation work. The ongoing investment by KPL to upgrade the dry dock strengthens its position as a first-rate location for major decommissioning projects for oil and gas assets and for construction of offshore floating wind structures.
Commenting on the successful completion of the project, Sales Director Jamie Young said;
“This was a project of a significant magnitude and we are pleased that KPL placed their trust in us and our reputation as an experienced moorings supply partner. Our chosen installation partner Green Marine were completely professional in their approach to installation, carrying out their tasks on time and without issue. It is satisfying for us, as a Highland business, to be playing a part in the continued development of these first-class port and dry dock facilities in the area.
Alasdair Ferguson, a Director of KPL commented; “Our commitment to invest in upgrading the dry dock facility with a new anchoring system is a further indication of the enhanced position Kishorn Port holds as a leading decommissioning and fabrication destination. As the port’s facilities strengthen, so do the prospects for increased rural employment and opportunities for growth in the local area”.
Mr Ferguson continued; “We are delighted with the work undertaken by Gael Force, the delivery and the outcome of this project by all those involved in the installation which was conducted in a professional, safe and timely manner.”
