The project awarded by LLX-OSX for the Estaleiro shipyard in São João da Barra in Brazil is worth more than €400m (£350m).
Acciona's proposal includes building the breakwaters using the caisson construction method. This is a pioneering initiative in Latin America and this innovation feature was a key factor in the decision to award the project to Acciona.
The system is based on the use of 66m x24m x 21m concrete blocks. Acciona has used it on port projects in Algeciras, Tarragona, Escombreras and El Ferrol, all in Spain. The project calls for the Kugira floating dock to sail from Spain to the site of the works, where it will manufacture the blocks required for building the breakwaters. The project envisages the construction of more than 3.8km of breakwater, of which 2.8km will be made artificially using the concrete blocks.
The construction method reduces considerably the need for materials used in traditional breakwater construction methods, said Acciona, as well as minimising environmental impact. In addition, the prefabrication used in the caisson system saves and improves execution quality.
The Estaleiro is part of the Açu super-port, a project backed by the EBX group of companies. Açu envisages two port terminals: TX1, with a 3km access bridge, and TX2, with 14km of docks, both aimed at providing the best possible access for large cargo vessels.
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