Construction company Van Hattum en Blankevoort has begun work on extending the Sif deep-sea quay wall at Maasvlakte, according to the Port of Rotterdam Authority.
The Port Authority said it is the second part of the deep-draught quay of the port and will see the quay wall extended by 200 metres with a retaining height of 30 metres.
It builds on previous agreements struck between the Port Authority and offshore technology specialists Sif in 2019. That deal leased Sif 20 hectares of industrial land adjacent to the company’s existing operations at Maasvakte 2.
The Sif quay wall is specifically designed for receiving so-called jack-up vessels, which place their legs on the port bed and are then jacked up for transporting offshore equipment.
The Port Authority said the quay wall extension will increase storage installation and marshalling of turbines, blades and pylons.
The first customer to make use of the quay will be Siemens Gamesa for the Hollandse Kust (South) project. Sif will supply all turbine and foundation components for the wind farm from the Sif terminal.
In a statement, the Port Authority said, “Realising a part of the quay with the deepest draught in the port of Rotterdam is a complex matter.
“When complete, the quay will rise about thirty metres from the sea bed and will have to withstand the load of monopiles on the quay and offshore working vessels berthed alongside.
“To ensure the quay height can be extended even further, it has been built an extra metre deeper than required when the quay is commissioned.”
