Above: The current buoy setup in the Mercuriushaven
To make the transhipment of bulk cargo from seagoing vessels into inland vessels and coasters more efficient, the floating buoys in the Mercuriushaven will be replaced by a fixed row of piles. This allows ships to transfer their cargo ship-to-board. That is faster, safer and cleaner.
At the moment, the transshipment is still done using floating buoys, floating cranes and weighing towers. This way of transshipment requires a lot of nautical space. That is why we are going to replace the current buoys with a permanent set-up.
More efficient and safer due to fixed row of posts
With a fixed arrangement, the seagoing vessel is moored to a fixed fendering system with separate mooring posts. The floating cranes and weighing towers are also located on this barrier. Ships then come alongside to be loaded. The sea-going vessels, each between approximately 80 and 295 meters long, are then in the same position. This makes it easier and safer for them to pass each other. For example, there is no drift if there is a strong wind. And because the cranes and weighing towers remain moored to the railings during both the arrival and departure of the sea-going vessels, fewer transport movements take place. This saves on exhaust gas emissions and contributes to a shorter handling time for unloading. Finally, the fixed installation offers the option of later installing shore power for ships and cranes.
Berth Mercuriushaven out of order
The replacement of the first buoys by a permanent set-up began on Monday 12 September. During this work, which will last until the end of October, the Mercuriushaven berth will be out of use. In the course of 2023, it will be decided to possibly also replace the second set of buoys with a permanent set-up.
This assignment will be carried out under the management of Arcadis and by De Klerk Waterbouw. The project is made possible in part by an EU grant of €2.7 million under the program CEF (Connecting Europe Facility | Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (europa.eu).