The UK Government commissioned research identifying potential export prospects in the Russian ports sector. Like other countries Russia has been through a period of growth followed by downturn. However cargo volumes held up well at the ports with exports of commodities strong. Container trade is now expected to re-start its strong growth.

Beckett Rankine researched current and future prospects for port development in Russia. An initial desk study was followed by visits to Moscow, St Petersburg and Novorossiysk to meet with port authorities and port developers. The final report can be seen on our Rankine website.

The Dockmaster Pontoon is a state-of-the-art heavy duty pontoon system suitable for berthing large yachts, ferries and support vessels. Dockmaster has now become the pontoon of choice for the UK windfarm industry and has been installed in several harbours for personnel craft. Dockmaster can be supported on piled or anchored moorings.

Beckett Rankine has developed designs for the Dockmaster, working closely with the client and production teamto include refinements as required. Strength is provided by stressing the precast concrete side panels against the expanded polystyrene buoyancy block and all tied together with the concrete deck.

A new refinery is to be constructed and a new harbour is needed for oil tankers serving the refinery. This includes berths for vessels ranging in size from 500 dwt to 60,000 dwt within the protection of a new breakwater. Also a single point mooring for crude carriers up to 350,000 dwt. Provision of a new dredged channel and navigation aids.

Beckett Rankine reviewed previous designs prepared by UK and Chinese companies and restructured the harbour layout to meet new operational requirements. Focus was on cutting costs and satisfying local and international standards. This included a FEED of the marine facilities.

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Importation of crude oil through the Black Sea port of Yuzhny was required to relieve the chronic shortage of feedslock to the Ukrainian refineries caused by the break up of the former Soviet Union. An offshore unloading buoy and 4km sub-sea pipeline were proposed to transfer the imported oil to the shorebased oil tank farm.

Beckett Rankine reviewed the previous designs, specifications and contracts for the marine aspects of this project. We also restructured elements to meet the requirements of EBRD. Also consideration of environmental issues to ensure compliance with EBRD procedures.

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The Port of Kavkaz can be found on the Taman Peninsula on the Chushka Spit in the Strait of Kerch, near to both the Black Sea to the South and with the Azov Sea to the North. A new development of the port was being considered, and several alternatives for new jetties and berth layouts were required for comparison.

Beckett Rankine inspected the site and available information. Several layouts were planned for the construction, including two new liquid handling berths for 15,000 DWT and 5,000 DWT vessels as well as roadways to access the ships. Wave and ice conditions were taken into account.

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A study was required by the client to review initial proposals and make plans for construction of a new container terminal. The exact location of the site was to be determined, close to the Russian border. Advice was also required concerning the planned airport in Sonbong, which would be needed as part of the enabling works.

Beckett Rankine inspected the possible sites and gathered evidence to support the optimum location for the container terminal. Plans were drawn up for a phased development of the port to accomodate increasing cargo volumes. Advice was also given about the size of the nearby airport.

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The Port of Nansha is found on the Pearl River, which flows through China into the South China Sea. With the major international port of Hong Kong thriving, it was thought that Nansha could develop to offer an alternative route for exports. International expertise was required to assess the potential that the site offered.

Beckett Rankine inspected the site of the port and made an evaluation of the possibility of further expansion. An assessment was made of the relative merits of shortlisted development schemes. Consideration was given to types of construction that would be efficient in this location.

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The island of Aride in the Seychelles is a nature reserve for seabird breeding. There are a great number of rare tropical species, as well as the highest density of lizards in the world. This has made it very popular with tourists; however the docking facilities at the island were substandard and a new scheme was required.

Beckett Rankine devised a strategy that minimised interference with the natural wildlife of the area, as well as being functionable and long-lasting. A simple berthing structure was proposed that could handle passenger and small cargo boats and protect them from the waves and surf.

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The Northern East West Corridor has potential to be a major global trading route. The concept is to create a Trans Atlantic sea connection to the Trans Siberian railway. The port of Narvik, which is ice free with good railway links, must be enlarged to accomodate the increased amount of containers travelling through the port.

Beckett Rankine conducted a review of the port's facilities and operations, highlighting issues such as a lack of container storage area. These problems needed a solution, so proposals included expansion of the terminal storage area south of the existing quay.

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The Port of Bautino on the Caspian Sea was to be developed as a supply base for the increasing offshore oil exploration and production activity. An appropriate solution was required to create a new base capable of holding a large number of vessels and able to meet the high standards of the companies utilising the site.

Beckett Rankine formulated a plan for the expansion of the base. This involved all critical aspects of the port, including a breakwater and service jetty as well as berths for a wide range of offshore support vessels, tugs and other small craft. Land facilities were also included.

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