An £8.15 million contract to build a new wharf at the remote Sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia was awarded to BAM Nuttall earlier this week.
The contract is part of a major investment program to modernize the UK’s Antarctic infrastructure.
Commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) the wharf will enhance the safety and efficiency of ship operations at King Edward Point (KEP) Research Station (KEP).
Construction work on site is envisaged to be undertaken between January and May 2020. Site supervision, engineering and project management support is being provided to BAS by its Technical Advisor Ramboll.
The wharf, concept design by Ramboll and engineered design by BAM, will see the existing structure extended to last another 50 years, and an additional ‘dolphin’ added – an 11m x 11m outpost off the main wharf, this will provide the extra capability required to berth the new polar research vessel the RRS Sir David Attenborough.
The wharf will also be compatible with the GSGSSI fishery patrol vessel Pharos SG the Royal Navy ice patrol ships.
Engineering consultancy Ramboll and construction expert BAM were chosen to partner with British Antarctic Survey (BAS) to modernize UK Antarctic and other research facilities.
This is the second South Georgia project for the companies. Last year they successfully completed the refurbishment of nearby BAS Bird Island Research Station.