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The port of Tema in Ghana is too shallow

As larger and larger ships are calling at the Port of Tema it is becoming necessary to increase the water depth by 3 metres at the existing quayside.

Ghana Ports Authority has given this task to NIRAS, who are required to draw up a detailed project for a new design of the existing quay in order to achieve the increase in water depth. The geotechnical conditions in the area vary sharply and range from solid rock to clay. These circumstances heighten the demands on the new construction, since it is also necessary to take into consideration that most of the existing quay needs to remain in use during the construction period.

NIRAS’ design proposal consists of drilling steel piles 6-8 metres into the rock. These steel piles need to be installed as close as possible to the existing construction. When the construction is in place the harbour basin in front of the quay will be deepened. This will be done mainly by blasting the rocky bottom away. NIRAS will also be responsible for the supervision during the extent of the project.