Dokdeur, Makkum
Dock gate, Makkum
A dry dock is quite unique in Northern Netherlands. Commissioned by Jorritsma Bouw and in collaboration with other partners, we were part of the construction team that realized the second dry dock for De Vries Shipbuilding from Makkum. For the new dry dock, Nauta Heeg manufactured the lower section of the dock gate.
The dock hall
A particularly complex project both technically and logistically. Everything is on a large scale. The dock hall measures 122 meters long, 37 meters wide, and 28 meters high. The dry dock inside it is 21.5 meters wide and 8 meters deep. Over 10,000 cubic meters of concrete and 2 million kilograms of steel were used in the dry dock. The dock gate is 23.4 meters wide, 8.4 meters high, 1.8 meters thick, and weighs a whopping 140 tons. The production of the structure took approximately 21 weeks.
The dock gate
The stable and balanced dock gate contains buoyant elements, is well insulated, and is equipped with flotation tanks in the hollow compartments. The dock gate sits 6 meters underwater and needs to be strongest at the bottom to move weightlessly. By installing the flotation tanks, the dock gate’s weight in the water was reduced by 30%. An additional 20 tons of ballast was added at the bottom of the gate for extra stability during movement. The water pressure helps keep the gate securely in place. For added safety, the gate is anchored to both the foundation and the sidewall.
The stable and balanced dock gate contains buoyant elements, is well insulated, and is equipped with flotation tanks in the hollow compartments.
Smart solutions
Nauta Heeg also manufactured the pivot pin and the bearings on which the door rotates. The 3-meter-high hinge is a technical marvel, largely embedded in the foundation. For the maintenance of the underwater door, a smart solution was devised: a parking position for the dry dock hall doors. This represents a significant maintenance saving, as lifting 25-meter-high doors out of the water is no simple task.
Collaboration
This unique project also came with its challenges. During the construction of the hall, considerations had to be made for the flora and fauna of the IJsselmeer, the installation of a massive crane runway, and the ongoing work at the shipyard. Together with all parties involved, we successfully completed an expansion that offers a bright future for yacht building in Northern Netherlands.
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Contact
Want to know more? Feel free to get in touch.
Staalbouw Nauta Heeg
De Draei 21
8621 CZ Heeg
Chamber of Commerce: 01068509