Development and design of water infrastructure

The infrastructure of Finland’s water systems is aging, requiring condition surveys, usability studies, repair planning, or the design of entirely new structures. Sometimes, the original purpose of the structure and the environment have changed, necessitating adaptation planning. Urban waterfront areas are developed for housing instead of industrial use, where multidisciplinary teams, including hydraulic engineering, create novel urban shore areas.

The fleet of vessels operating in Finland by sea is undergoing significant changes due to stricter emission regulations and efficiency requirements, among other factors. Additionally, the shipping environment is becoming digitalized, and automation is increasing. These changes (e.g., an increase in the size of vessels) will put pressure on the development of both port and fairway infrastructure and transport services.

Our experienced experts support clients from mapping design needs to project implementation, working closely with Sweco’s various technology disciplines. We employ a variety of imaging equipment: drones for aerial photography and ROVs suitable for underwater imaging. Both aerial photographs and underwater images/videos can be tied to location data. Underwater imaging is useful for conducting condition surveys of piers.

Services for ports and hydraulic engineering design

We offer a wide range of services related to ports, hydraulic engineering, waterway planning, and the development of the maritime sector’s operating environment. Hydraulic engineering planning encompasses project and general planning, expert services for ports, marina design, and the design and renovation of water structures. Our services also include ship and boat piers, breakwaters, urban beaches and shore walls, dams and fishways, canals, and floating structures.

Waterway planning

Waterway planning includes project and general planning, merchant shipping route design, fairway decision documents and proposals, boat lane design, and dredging and disposal planning. Additionally, we facilitate permit applications, marine surveying expert tasks, and coordination of offshore wind farms with the fairway network.

Nautical surveying data and geospatial data

Marine surveying expert services include seabed mapping, seabed research programs, processing research results, analysis, and quality assurance. We provide services for offshore wind power projects, cable routes, dredging and disposal calculations, and maritime traffic analyses. 3D modeling and photogrammetry are also part of our service range.

Seabed mapping uses various technical equipment from manned or unmanned vessels. The topography can be mapped with sonars, such as multibeam sonars. Hydrographic mapping suits dredging projects, underwater cable mapping, marine structures, and geophysical surveys.

Water and environmental permits

Regarding water and environmental permits, we offer investigations into permit needs, water body and nature surveys, preparation of water permit applications, communication with permit authorities, and submission of dredging notifications. We also prepare research programs and EIA maritime traffic analyses.

Project Management in the maritime sector

Project management in the maritime sector covers multi-stakeholder projects, maritime digitalization projects, EU projects, project planning, international cooperation, and private sector-authority collaboration. We specialize in project planning and implementation, with extensive experience in EU projects and programming.