Maersk Multipurpose Platform (2015-ongoing)

In collaboration with the contractor Grandi Lavori Fincosit, the Migliaccio Group in 2015 began work on the construction of caissons in the ports of Vado Ligure and Genoa.

This work is used to form Maersk’s multipurpose platform.

A major work that involves the use of special equipment so as to use 11 pumps from 35mt to 53mt in height and pump about 2000sqm of concrete for each caisson. These works are coordinated by the Migliaccio Group under the supervision of the owner himself.

The concrete pumped to the base of the caisson forms a slab of about 500 cubic meters at the base of the caisson. In a second stage the two Sermac k41s, pump the concrete into the two tower arms, also 41 meters, positioned at the top, at opposite ends of the caisson. These finally direct the concrete into the preform around special sections, called rooms.

The caisson needs even filling in order to be submerged in the sea in perfect balance. The dipping of about 1.30mt per day occurs simultaneously with the concrete pumping phase. The simultaneous work of the equipment is therefore essential.

Immersion at this stage is still only partial as the caisson, once completed, is towed by a special boat to the predetermined point. It is here that the room hatches are opened so that they, filling with water enable the full immersion of the caisson. It is of crucial importance that the vehicles work simultaneously, which is why an additional pump is always available during the entire duration of operations to ensure the continuity of the jet in case of sudden breakdowns.

Each caisson has a rectangular base with sides 32m and 22m and a height of 19m and requires about 2700 cubic meters of concrete.
Currently, 23 out of 28 caissons have already been pre-packed for the port of Vado Ligure, thus 5 remain to be completed.

Caissons in the Port of Genoa (2016-In Progress)

At the Port of Genoa, work begins in 2016. They are planned to be slightly smaller caissons than those at the Port of Vado and require about 2,300 cubic meters of concrete each.

Such caissons are towed off the Port of Vado Ligure and submerged at the predetermined point using the same procedure. To provide optimal service here as well, another pump is made available ready to take action in case of failure.

For these caissons in total, about 19,000 cubic meters of concrete have already been pumped, roughly corresponding to half of the planned work.

However, a variation to the project that may involve enlarging the work is not ruled out.

(Page prepared on 03/10/2017)