In a scenario involving growing global demand, ports around the world are in a permanent race to attract new traffic and routes. Having the right port infrastructure in place can be the best ally to ensure that shipping companies choose one port over another one located in a closer location.
This escalation in port infrastructure investments is nothing new: it has been going on since the 1990s and is intensifying today, but with one particular feature. Ports are discovering the importance of developing and implementing comprehensive conservation plans to conserve efficiency and increase the useful life of port infrastructures.
Port conservation is already trending
It is important to adopt an integral approach to this maintenance in order for these plans to start right from the initial design phase of the project rather than when the work actually begins. Maintenance-conscious engineering is the best way to minimise subsequent conservation needs, saving on costs and improving competitiveness.
Fortunately, many ports are already working with this in mind, including those located in Barcelona and Ferrol, where these conservation plans have been successfully implemented for years already, and have become essential parts of their quality management systems.
The €100 million average invested annually for the conservation of Spanish ports has already been surpassed, which is set to continue rising with its promotion in Spanish ports within initiatives such as the Puertos4.0 fund. One thing worth mentioning here is the importance of supporting the new era of port conservation with both public and private initiatives, taking advantage of landlord concessional development models.
Given the growing importance of conserving port infrastructures, the automation of maintenance tasks has a major role to play. Bear in mind that ports are complex ecosystems with many elements vital to the proper running of the facility on a global scale and that require inspection, analysis and constant maintenance, such as:
- Dredging work
- Maintenance and repair of bollards and fenders
- Conservation of road networks and pavements
- Harbour electrical system maintenance
- Maintenance of cranes and stowage equipment
- Repair of signage elements
- Repair of harbours and other structures such as dykes, piers, walkways and ramps
- Maintenance of submerged structures
These are just a few examples of the ample maintenance work that when effectively carried out improves a port’s competitiveness and efficiency.
Underwater maintenance work for ports
Aware of the increasing importance of terminal maintenance, Prosertek offers an underwater service for the inspection and maintenance of submerged port structures. This includes the supervision and repair of harbours, defences, structures, piles and all types of submerged machinery. Our team of highly trained technicians and certified divers also caters for the recovery of accidentally sunken elements.
Our equipment allows us to offer advice before each job and flawless execution to ensure underwater maintenance that can increase the useful life of port facilities and equipment.
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