At the forefront of port and water structure design

Design of port and quay structures

The foundations of port and quay structure design consists of the intended use of the structure combined with the considerations of the geotechnical factors, which are the guiding principles in subsequent design. This is highlighted in marinas and commercial ports where space is often limited, resulting in a need to carefully consider the planning of the port’s water and land areas along with the placement of services.

Finland’s water infrastructure is ageing: assessments of the current condition and usability along with plans for repairs will be essential.. Often over the years the original intended use of the structure changes, which will have to be taken into account in further developments.

Floating construction is a global trend that has also arrived in Finland. Sweco has strong experience  in floating housing construction projects in Finland and abroad, as well as expertise in demanding hydrodynamic analyses.

Waterway and dredging projects as well as the planning of submarine pipelines and cable routes are part of regional planning. They are determined on the basis of previous infrastructure in  the water areas,  the prevailing restrictions and ground conditions.

Urban coasts and seawall are first and foremost part of the cityscape and regional planning, secondly structural engineering. Both must be considered in order to adapt to prevailing conditions and needs.

Sweco’s port operations:

• Waterway, quay and dredging design
• Port traffic planning, rail connections, logistics planning
• Industrial engineering services
• Land use
• Construction permits, environmental studies
• Carbon footprint calculation
• Risk management, project management
• EIA and environmental permit procedures
• Geotechnical design
• Bridge and dam construction
• Service design

Hydroelectric power plants and dams

Our experts have wide ranging experience in hydropower projects and dam design. The ageing hydropower plant infrastructure requires assessments on condition  as well as repair planning and construction. We update old machinery and hydropower structures and carry out related modification planning. Our portfolio of newbuilt structures include small-scale power plant projects.

Fish ladder

CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations are used in the design of fish ladders, which produce a 3D flow field of the design object and enables the design of optimal structures.

Water permits

Our water construction professionals prepare permit applications, in accordance with the Water Act, for ports, waterways, submarine cables, dredging and dumping and other water management projects. Our designers estimate how comprehensive of a permit is required and adapt to this. The necessary attachments, such as environmental reports, are procured on behalf of the client. We also prepare the responses to enquiries from the official bodies.

Planning a sustainable port

The energy transition effects ports in many ways, shifting energy production and consumption towards more sustainable and low-carbon alternatives. In our work, we take into account all aspects of the planning and construction of a sustainable port.

Minimising noise emissions

Noise emissions are a major concern in building a sustainable port. In our planning work, we always ensure that the port’s operations have as little impact as possible on the quality of life of nearby residents.

Cutting emissions

We minimise  surface and atmosphere emissions by improving the energy efficiency of the port. We improve sustainable mobility and reduce the environmental impact of traffic by promoting  emission-free logistics chains to and from the port. This requires electric means of transport and efficient logistics solutions.

Application of renewable energy

By using renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, we aim to make port operations as low-emission as possible. Instead of using traditional fossil fuels, we will introduce new alternatives such as hydrogen and ammonia, which will help us achieve our carbon neutrality targets. This requires investment in new technologies and infrastructure.

Use of offshore wind  electricity

Offshore wind power is major source of electricity ports. Offshore wind farms can be built in the vicinity of Dual systems tied with solar power can supplement the port’s energy needs and provide additional contingency.

Green hydrogen

Green hydrogen opens up numerous opportunities for more sustainable port operations. Firstly, it promotes emission free alternatives to fossil fuels. Secondly, green hydrogen storage in the port can be coupled with the fluctuating production of renewable energy, allowing for a steady supply/output of energy. Hydrogen can also be used as an energy source for maritime transport, either directly or converted into methane, methanol or ammonia.

Smart energy management

The energy transition enables the introduction of smart energy management solutions that optimise the port’s energy consumption and distribution. These systems allow for data analysis and automation which allows energy to be used more efficiently.  These changes may require upgrading the port infrastructure to integrate new equipment, charging points and energy storage solutions. Although the initial investments may be large, improving energy efficiency will increase the cost-efficiency of ports in the long run.

Recycling solutions

The recycling possibilities of port construction projects, the procurement of materials from nearby areas and sustainable solutions in construction and renovation work are key factors in our design work. In addition, we pay particular attention to the proper handling of waste from ships in ports.

Sustainability monitoring

We continuously monitor the emissions from port operations and the state of the surrounding environment including noise, water quality and coastal biodiversity. In our design work, we ensure effective mechanisms for carrying out monitoring and quickly identifying potential environmental impacts.

The logistics transformation of ports

Automation and digitalisation have increased the efficiency of ports. They have enabled process optimisation and more accurate cargo tracking.

Larger vessels enable more cargo transported at once. They increase logistical efficiency, although they place new demands on port infrastructure.

Intermodal connectivity emphasises the seamless integration of different modes of transport. This creates smooth logistics chains that save time, increase operational efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Read more about the design of the state-of-the-art New West Terminal

Strategic reshaping of ports

The concentration of urban areas and increasingly efficient land use affect the location and role of ports. The changed use of ports may lead, for example, to optimisation of logistics, integration of the urban infrastructure into the port area or specialisation of ports.

As a result, port operations are increasingly specialising in certain products, which is changing the competitive dynamics of the sector. Specialisation provides an opportunity to optimize supply chains and make them visible to customers, which contributes to the logistics efficiency and customer satisfaction of the port.

As logistics become more efficient and supply chains become more transparent, greater attention needs to be paid to port security. The security perspective must cover both physical and cyber threats such that ports can operate reliably and respond to challenges in the sector.