The jetty is designed to accommodate a range of vessels, from small 600dwt bunker barges to 32,000dwt tankers. The breakwater providing the main access is a Grade 2 Listed Building, and the design of the piles needed to avoid undue disturbance. In consequence, the dolphins and jetty are strutted to the breakwater, to avoid raking piles.
PBI are currently undertaking the onshore works to serve the facility, based on Posford Haskoning's original outline design, with operations due to commence in Autumn 2004. Nevertheless, the jetty is now operational and is being utilised as part of the port estate.
In 2000, Posford Haskoning were invited by Diekat SA to prepare designs for the re-commissioning of these tanks, and for the infrastructure to serve a bunkering operation in the port. Diekat’s proposal was for bunkering operations to take place at anchor, served by small bunker barges working from a new, dedicated, jetty on the inner face of the breakwater.
Posford Haskoning took on the detailed design of the marine structures, as well the outline designs and procurement specifications for the entire M&E system needed to transfer marine fuel and gas oils some 1700 metres horizontally (and 50 metres vertically) from berth to tank. In addition, Posford Haskoning took on the task of obtaining planning and marine consents including environmental impact assessment.
Portland was established by the Navy as a strategic deep water base. In 1939, a set of fuel tanks was constructed within the hillside, storing some 40,000m3 of heavy fuel oil in total, using four bores, each some 300 metres in length and 7 metres in diameter