Mammoet recently carried out a key logistics operation for the Pulau Tekong polder project in Singapore, recovering and launching twelve barges used in the construction of the country's first polder. The project, led by the Housing Development Board (HDB) and built by the Boskalis Penta Ocean Joint Venture (BPJV), employs an innovative solution “empoldering” Method of reclamation of approximately 800 hectares of land.
The operation involved the recovery of twelve barges weighing between 680 and 990 tonnes from a rainwater collection basin in the polder. These ships were used to deepen the pond but remained stranded after completion. Mammoet was tasked with recovering the barges, transporting them to the dike via a newly built transport road and releasing them back into the sea.
Precise rescue with airbags and winches
Mammoet used a special setup that included 68 airbags and four winches with a lifting capacity of 60 to 85 tons. The recovery process began with the positioning of airbags under the bow of each barge. Two winches then pulled the ship far enough out of the water so that 18 climbing winches could be positioned. After lifting, the airbags were removed and self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) were deployed under the fuselage.
The SPMTs transported each barge to the designated launch site on the dike. The launch process mirrored the retrieval process in reverse, with the ships carefully lowered back into the sea. This process was repeated for all twelve barges. Despite difficult weather conditions, Mammoet maintained a strict schedule and ensured that equipment was moved without delay for continued operations.
Supporting land reclamation in Singapore
The Pulau Tekong Polder Project represents a significant shift in Singapore's land reclamation strategy. Unlike traditional sandfill, the polder method involves building a dike and diverting water from the enclosed area, significantly reducing the amount of fill material required and reducing construction costs.