A “catastrophic failure” has been averted at a port in West Sussex thanks to an innovative pipe repair.
A new pipe lining system has been used for the first time to seal four large-diameter pipes at Shoreham Port, which were deemed to be at risk of failure.
The “vital” pipes, which are used to channel sea water into the dock basin to allow large ships to enter and leave the port, could have been at risk of “catastrophic failure” if left untreated.
The work to protect the pipes was carried out by civil engineering specialists Lanes Group, which is also responsible for maintaining Southern Water’s sewer network.
The group worked in partnership with lining supplies specialist RSM Lining Supplies and UK seal and gasket manufacturer VIP-Polymers to complete the project.
Brian Rousell, director of engineering at Shoreham Port, said: “Lanes Group really took the effort to understand the criticality and working conditions for this project.
“It then delivered on-specification, on-time, and on-budget to keep the port’s infrastructure working well into the future.”
The work on the pipes was carried out by Lanes Group (Image: Lanes Group)
Conventional pipe replacement was ruled out due to limited space, sharp bends, and the need to keep the port fully operational.
Instead, teams installed a new rubber-sealed liner system to reinforce the pipes, which measure up to 42 metres long.
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Shoreham Port handles approximately two million tonnes of cargo annually and supports a cluster of 175 businesses.
The pipes supply seawater to a 500-metre underground channel that replenishes the dock basin, which loses water each time the sea locks open for ships.
They had been found to be leaking, which was increasing the cost of water pumping and putting the long-term integrity of the system at risk.
Earlier this year, Shoreham Port unveiled the Southwick Reef, the UK’s largest living seawall, which has been installed along the harbour at Southwick beach.