GEI worked with MASSPORT Capital Programs to plan and develop an all new container ship berth at the Conley Container Terminal.
GEI was selected to lead a multi-disciplinary team to assist MASSPORT with the design of new berthing facilities to accommodate the New Panamax size vessels anticipated when the Panama Canal upgrades are completed. The US Army Corps of Engineers was planning to deepen the existing ship access channels leading into Conley Terminal to accommodate these larger deeper draft vessels and MASSPORT needed to upgrade the berths at Conley to accommodate these ships. Previous studies had indicated that the existing Ship to Shore (STS) cranes would not be capable of servicing these larger vessels with increased height and reach.
GEI lead the project team in performing an initial concept design study of Berths 11, 12 and the former Coastal Oil site including review of air space limits and impacts on Logan Airport of higher cranes being installed on the existing berths. The study identified a location with higher air draft available and prepared concept design options for a new Berth 10. Effort included investigation of air draft limitations; evaluation of future container ship sizes (New Panamax); container crane operational requirements to service the larger ships; berth length and draft requirements; conceptual layouts; assessment of feasible construction alternatives; identification of regulatory impacts; and development of probable construction costs. A preferred option was identified by this study for a new berth designed to accommodate vessels up to 10,000 TEUs. This was later upgraded to 14,000 TEU ships.
GEI performed design and assisted Massport throughout the permitting phase. The proposed site presented a number of issues including very restricted berth widths and contaminated soils on site. Dredging included removal of LNAPL contaminated soils, historic fills and rock removal.
The design phase included Optimoor mooring analysis for mooring fixture design, fender analysis and design, design of a steel pipe pile supported concrete deck, steel pile supported crane rail beam integrated into the deck, dredge design including blasting for shallow rock removal, and upgrading electrical service to Conley to accommodate the additional load from the new STS cranes as well as provisions for future STS Power. An analysis of STS Crane wheel loading was also performed to determine feasibility of designing the foundation for future crane capacity for even larger ships. Construction was recently completed. GEI led the team producing the bid and construction documents and was responsible for the design of all pier structure elements. GEI also provided construction phase services and site inspection.
