Hybrid foundations in port of Antwerp with electrified powerhouse

Container ships are getting bigger and bigger. The quays also have to grow with them. The Antwerp Port Authority (Port of Antwerp) and container handler PSA Antwerp are therefore going to completely renovate the Europa Terminal on the right bank of the Scheldt. With an eye and respect for the environment. The ultimate goal is to reduce CO₂-emissions per container by half. Vroom Funderingstechnieken is already making a substantial contribution to this with the deployment of its hybrid Hillcon HSCX1500GLS-E foundation machine.

The renewal of the Europa Terminal is in line with the ambition of the Port of Antwerp and container handlers to make the best possible use of the existing space. Moreover, they want to be able to receive ships with a greater draught in the future. For this reason, the existing 1,200-meter long quay wall will be replaced by a new wall and the fairway will be deepened from 13.5 meters to about 17.5 meters. "Because of the size of the project and the fact that the existing terminal must remain operational, the project has been divided into three phases," begins Paul Bochem, account manager at Vroom Funderingstechnieken. "We now have the first (northern) part commissioned by combination TM Europaterminal Civiel, consisting of Artes Roegiers, Artes Depret and Herbosch-Kiere."

20,397 meters

Vroom Funderingstechnieken is a familiar face on the Belgian market. "We are known here as a specialist in the more complex, soil displacement piling works," Paul knows. "Among other things, we have founded the hospital in Liege on vibro-piles and realized many windmill foundations. In that capacity, we are also involved in this project. We have the first part under contract, which amounts to driving 709 piles with a total length of 20,397 meters." Vroom Funderingstechnieken was awarded the contract at the end of January 2023. "That coincided nicely with the delivery of our first hybrid foundation machine. As if it should have been so, given Port of Antwerp's intended sustainability ambitions. So a wonderful challenge for our new electrified powerhouse."

Vibro piles

The new quay wall will be constructed using a combi wall, MV steel piles and Vroom Funderingstechnieken's vibro-piles. "These are vibro-piles with a diameter of 559 mm and a base of 680 mm," says Martijn Steenstra, project manager at Vroom Funderingstechnieken. "They are installed in brace to be able to bear the horizontal forces in the soil later on. Given the many parties and many machines operating simultaneously on a relatively narrow strip, good coordination and alignment is crucial for the progress of the project." That doesn't stop Vroom Funderingstechnieken from deploying the hybrid foundation machine here for the first time. "Although it is a new machine, it has been extensively tested and simulated beforehand. And of course we will have some teething problems to contend with, but the entire team from Hillcon and from Materieelbeheer Vroom are on standby to keep everything on track."

150 tons pulling force

According to Martijn, the Hillcon HSCX1500GLS-E is unlike any conventional foundation machine. "The machine can both pile driving and drilling, both soil displacement, and is software and electronically controlled. So a whole different world for our operator as well. Furthermore, one of the distinguishing features of the hybrid machine is its enormous traction force of 150 tons," says Martijn. Paul concludes: "We took delivery of the machine on May 12, and it was then transported to the port of Antwerp. It is the largest investment in the more than sixty-year history of Vroom Funderingstechnieken. The second Hillcon HSCX1500GLS-E is currently under construction and will be operational from the first quarter of 2024. As a progressive player in the foundation market, we continue to invest continuously on our way to a zero-emission construction site."