New jetty at Thanckes oil depot achieves CEEQUAL Good

VolkerStevin constructed a new jetty at Thanckes Oil Fuel Depot to provide fuelling and fire fighting facilities for the Royal Navy at Devonport Naval Base.

Overview

The project delivered a new jetty with fuel loading and firefighting facilities, serving all the Royal Navy fuelling requirements at Devonport. This project paid particular attention to protecting the water environment of this coastal area during construction. It received a rating of Good from CEEQUAL (now known as BREEAM Infrastructure).

About

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is part of the Ministry of Defence. It supports the armed forces by planning, building, maintaining, and servicing infrastructure which supports military capability.

Background

DIO awarded a contract worth approximately £43 million to VolkerStevin to construct a new jetty at Thanckes Oil Fuel Depot which provides fuelling facilities for the Royal Navy at Devonport Naval Base.

Challenges

The new jetty was built within a Special Area of Conservation, on the River Tamar, and the project had to comply with complex environmental constraints.

The project’s nature and location imposed demanding design and planning constraints, coupled with specific requirements regarding its visual impact and specifications.

The works also had to be carried out whilst the old jetty was still operational as the fuel depot activities could not be suspended during the construction phase.

All these challenges were tackled by using advanced planning methods and team work.

Solutions

Using CEEQUAL meant the design was improved, there was better community involvement, a more innovative approach to transport (most material was imported by barge to limit impact).

100% of total inert waste and 94.60% of total non-hazardous waste was diverted from landfill.

The social impact of the project and the involvement of the site team in local life was also a priority. Landscape and water protection were influenced by CEEQUAL which also fuelled a strong desire to constantly innovate at concept, design, and construction stage.

Water environment

The project was specifically good at protecting the water environment during construction and operation

People and communities

The project team was eager to improve the image of the construction industry by taking part in local life and engaging with the community.

AECOM created a partnership link with the “Friends of Thanckes Park Team” and lent/transported pinecones from site for a community event taking place in Thanckes Park in February.

VolkerStevin organised for refurbishment works to be carried out at St Columba & Torpoint RFC. In exchange, the RFC kindly shared 25 parking spaces with the project.