Ocean Cruise Terminal, Port of Southampton

Anticipating the arrival of a new generation of Gala Class cruise vessels, we successfully completed the first phase of a multi-million-pound upgrade to the Port of Southampton’s Ocean Cruise Terminal. Regarded as Europe’s leading cruise turnaround port, the reopening of its largest terminal marked the commencement of the busy cruise season.

Delivered within a challenging timeframe (October 2018 – March 2019), the phase one programme of modification works accommodated the increasing size of cruise ships at the berths, and additional passenger flows in the terminal building. Featuring our alternative design for the construction of new 150 tonne bollards on reinforced concrete, this scheme was a continuation of our long-term relationship with Associated British Ports (ABP).

Our modification programme of works involved infrastructure upgrades on the quayside with 18 new 150 tonne bollards, on reinforced concrete foundations secured by vertical and raking ground anchors, replacing the existing 50 tonne bollards.

This solution was specifically chosen by ABP as it removed the need for substantial temporary works and excavations.

We also collaborated closely with ABP in revising the designs to eliminate risk to the services corridor, moving from “two deep walls straddling the services corridor” to a single shallower wall on one side of the services.

Demonstrating our maritime expertise, we developed a land-based methodology, utilising 12m long cantilevering work platforms that proved so effective during our £114m Green Port Hull project (Nov 2014 – Jan 2017). These adjustable platforms eliminated the need for costly barges and also allowed us to work on a quay wall height of up to 3m.

Further key elements of the scheme included the construction of a new entrance lobby, the alteration of the terminal building to provide improved and additional vertical transition, and the expansion of the security X-ray area.