4 Key Steps in Dredging Projects
Each dredging project must be thoroughly planned and monitored. In this way, you will achieve the project goal and cost-effective solution.
Started a dredging project involves 4 key steps
- Identifying
- Preparing
- Performing and Monitoring
- Dewatering and Disposal
Each of them needs to have the objective in mind. The most frequent ones are site maintenance, construction, environment improvement, and protection.
Identifying
Any dredging task has a certain aim. The plan will be built based on the need or issue that has to be solved.
The initial project plan should take into account important matters such as:
- dredging purpose
- expected end result
- budget
- possible challenges
- required skills and equipment
- responsibility
The involved parties have to draft a general plan based on the surrounding environment and the potential dredging impact. It can also consider different interests.
Sometimes contractors will be invited to tender. It’s necessary to mention details concerning purpose, strategy, and expectations for the contractors to make the offers accordingly.
The gathered information can include but is not limited to:
- Project size and the desired depth for all areas
- Measurements
- Cost evaluation and payment
- Extended area surveys
- Soil type
This is particularly important when it comes to remote areas that are tough to inspect
- Deadlines
- Estimated dredged amounts
- Maintenance
Sometimes maintenance work is mandatory until the entire project is completely finished. This is a key element of the approximate cost.
- Pollution and storage guidelines
- State of the environment
It’s also useful to have data about possible or present waves, tides, or currents.
- Other specifications and requirements
How does the invitation to tender work?
After the documents are ready, contractors are invited to submit their offer. The files will feature different forms (tender, bid bonds if applicable, performance bonds), agreement conditions, surveys, soil data, and tender notices.
How does a contractor prepare a tender?
After the employer offers detailed data about the project, the contractor can create a plan to evaluate the costs for the required services. Some employers also want to see a design or comprehensive technical methods that the contractor plans to use.
The process is the same for any type of tender or direct contracting. The contractor assesses all the elements that will play a role in the dredging work.
First of all, there is the availability of the team and equipment. Then there are the costs for fuel, travel, and potential extra resources.
The licenses, fees, and permits get added too. Sometimes even the exchange rate can make a difference.
Choosing a contractor
The decision shouldn’t be made only considering the price. It’s essential to look for the best value per money and to sign the contract based on the contractor’s experience, safety assurance, fleet, and technical capabilities.
How will the project take place?
When the project starts, all the key details have already been carefully established. The contractor crafted the work process while planning the tender offer.
The staff will work together as a team to ensure proper management and successful task completion. Everything will be done according to the pre-established time schedule that mentions the working hours and hourly dredging production.
What do Look out for in a Dredging Project
Mobilization, Performance, Upkeep, Fulfillment, Demobilization
Mobilization involves all the measures taken until production can begin. Surveys are required for all dredging tasks. Therefore it’s a good idea to send the survey staff to the site before the process starts and all the equipment is there.
Dredging activities can even be performed in other parts of the world. It is possible to send the contractor’s own equipment including cutter suction dredgers, hopper dredgers, and even heavy stationary dredges.
The dredging activity is continuously monitored and surveys are performed to ensure that the dredging activity carries on as planned. Dredgers themselves have onboard monitors for accurate dredging location, position, and alignment.
Each new survey offers updated guidelines and it’s integrated into the dredger’s onboard system. In order to constantly evaluate the project’s development, there are constant surveys performed to provide data about the dredging area.
Work supervision ensures that there are clear records in terms of dredged volumes, dredging sections, and cycles, as well as equipment power. Delays are registered too in case of equipment failure or delays that have to do with the employer.
A good contractor keeps track of the progress through daily and weekly reports. Supervisors mention details concerning project development, as well as volumes, units, surveys, delays, and any other relevant information.
There will also be structured meetings. They will discuss the latest activities and developments.
At the end of the project, there will be a final project report prepared by the engineer. This one will comprehensively describe the dredging process throughout time.
The conclusions and further recommendations concerning maintenance will be mentioned too. The annexes will feature related important documents.
The site will be cleared after the contractor successfully completes the project. Then the plant demobilization stage will be completed as well.
