Week of 24 June
1. Tanga jetty preparatory works ongoing (Tanzania)
The preparatory works for launching the jetty in the port city of Tanga continue. Several elements were installed off-shore recently like the first trestles (= prefabricated steel sections) of the jetty (4th picture) and the main frame of the launching girder (5th picture), which was installed in the shallow section of the sea. The lower piling gate was mounted on the front of the launching girder (6th picture) and the steel crossheads were installed off-shore from a barge (7th picture). This operation is very challenging due to swell, wind, and stringent construction tolerances. The launching of the jetty is now just a few steps away! Keep up the good work, Tanga team!
And the progress of these works was witnessed by our Deputy COO Construction, Mathieu Dechamps, and Fabian Boucher, Director Engineering & Methods, visiting the site.
2. Thrilled to collaborate on Krammersluizen complex (The Netherlands)
Last Wednesday marked the official collaboration launch between the client, Rijkswaterstaat, and ZEEKR, a joint venture with BESIX Nederland as the main contractor and BESIX Unitec, Croonwolter&dros, DEMAKO, Iemants, and Bosch Rexroth, for the renovation and modernisation of the Krammersluizen (locks) complex.
The consortium is embarking on the renovation of this challenging and beautiful project with great enthusiasm. This is a very versatile project that requires an integrated approach, bringing together a great deal of expert knowledge, ranging from electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and hydraulics to steel construction and civil engineering. With the right team on board, no doubt this multifaceted project will be a success. Good luck to the team for the start of this project!
3. Double groundbreaking celebrations for BESIX Watpac (Australia)
Last week, a Smoking Ceremony* and Welcome to Country marked the start of construction of the Greenwich Point Wharf upgrade. This project is part of Transport for New South Wales safe and accessible transport programme managed by BESIX Watpac. Construction on this wharf follows the completion of upgrades to wharves at North Sydney, Taronga Zoo, and most recently Double Bay.
The new wharf at Greenwich includes a new floating pontoon, connected by an extended gangway, as well as a new passenger lift and stairs which will assist in providing equitable access from the street level and bus stop directly to the wharf.
Works have also officially commenced a few days ago on the Moore Park Precinct Village project site next to the Allianz Stadium in Sydney! The occasion was also marked with a Sod Turn and Smoking Ceremony with all partners involved. The project will deliver new community and recreational facilities, increased public open space, and a new underground car park for the stadium.
* Smoking Ceremonies and Welcome to Country are traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customs that are often performed at the beginning of construction projects to acknowledge and honor the history, culture, and ongoing connection of Indigenous peoples to the land.
4. Official opening of Saint-Denis - Pleyel station (France)
On Monday, 24 June, the much-awaited Saint-Denis - Pleyel station of the Grand Paris Express network was officially inaugurated in the presence of French President Macron, starchitect Kengo Kuma, and all partners and authorities involved. Our Executive Vice-President Johan Beerlandt and his wife made the trip to Paris for this grand occasion. This station needed to be open in time for this summer’s Olympic Games as it will connect the main Olympic venues.
And then this… Happy Ligo to all!
Our colleagues in Riga celebrated together the summer solstice on 21 June in good Latvian tradition. With a few days delay… Happy Ligo to all!
