An 800 meter long quay is being built in the Quarleshaven in Vlissingen
At the end of 2024, a new quay of no less than 800 meters in length will enable better access to the Vlissingen-Oost port area, the Sloe area. WSP was appointed to design the project, which is characterized by a fast turnaround time, partly due to the optimal use of a relatively simple combi-wall construction.
The new quay, which connects to an existing quay, creates a quay with a total length of no less than 1200 meters on the south side of the Quarleshaven. Various types of seagoing vessels with a draft of up to 14.5 meters can moor there, as can inland vessels. The new quay will make an important contribution to the region through the transshipment function of dry bulk goods: raw materials, organic agricultural products, but also rubble stones for the reinforcement of wind turbines at sea.
WSP won the tender for this design, partly due to years of experience in this area. Fokke Westebring, project leader at WSP: “We not only have a great deal of knowledge of these types of quays, but also a great deal of knowledge of the area because we have carried out countless other projects for North Sea Port. This meant that we were able to register at a good level of detail. In addition, we focused on fast, but realistic planning, with an eye for implementation.”
The retaining height and relatively light top load were central to the design. However, the design had to leave room for the top load to be increased one day. With a combination wall construction with a sophisticated anchor design, a relief floor is possible, so that future higher top loads can be absorbed. The design and specifications allow for an implementation in two phases: by executing the project in two 400-metre sections, the existing old quay can still be used in phase 1 and business activities can continue on the new part in phase 2 built in phase 1. This requires good coordination with the users. Because dredging is only allowed in winter (outside the breeding season), strict implementation planning is necessary to be able to deliver both phases on time.
The existing slope revetment, consisting of Haringman blocks and dumping material, will be reused in its entirety. The concrete Haringman blocks are broken and incorporated into the foundation of the terrain paving behind the quay. Together with a possible reuse of the landfill (dumping stone and mine stone), this project works as circularly as possible in this way.
Once the design and the drafting of raw material specifications were completed, the realization was awarded to the executive contractors De Klerk and Hakkers by means of a tender. WSP guided North Sea Port in the tender phase and provided management and day-to-day supervision during the execution. Construction started in early 2022 and the combi wall, consisting of tubular piles with a length of up to 38 meters and intermediate planks with a length of up to 29 meters, has now been completely installed.
