Competitors collaborate on construction project at the port

As components for the wind energy sector grow in size, new demands are placed on suppliers and subcontractors in the wind sector. This is noticeable in Port of Aalborg’s area where several significant wind players reside.

Since spring, Port of Aalborg has been in the process of establishing an extensive area for Bladt Industries. Now, parts of the 110,000 square metres large area are ready to facilitate a new huge project for the manufacturer of steel structures for the wind and offshore industry.

– We are very satisfied with the project. The significant expansion means that we can gather all our activities for our future substation projects in one location, while we prepare ourselves to accommodate similar tasks in the future, says Vice President Operations Management Office at Bladt Industries, Søren Schlott Mikkelsen.

Time as a success criterion

For Bladt Industries, it has been crucial to be able to start using the area as soon as possible. Therefore, the construction work is divided into three larger contracts.

Port of Aalborg is the developer, while MT Højgaard, Aarsleff, Arkil, COWI, Niras and Bravida are all part of the project.

– Time has been a critical factor. Every involved player has taken pride in coordinating across contracts since the project started in June. As a result, it has been possible to put the area into use continuously. It will be fully developed already at the beginning of the new year thanks to the dedicated effort by all players, says Mikkel Kalmo Guldhammer, Senior Technology Consultant at Port of Aalborg.

MT Højgaard is in charge of the construction of a 60,000 m2 production site and a loadout area near the quay.

– Our work requires a lot of coordination and involves everything from establishing foundations, draught pipes, compressed air and electrical installations to drainage and reinforcement of the quay area. Therefore, it is valuable to be able to spar with the other project parties, so that we can solve challenges together and save a lot of time compared to ordinary contracts, explains project manager at MT Højgaard, Dan Harborg Loch.

– We have had great success with this type of partnership model in the past – among other things in connection with a large quay expansion at the East Port in Aalborg. The great advantage is that together with the client and contractors we can quickly find the balance between time, economy and quality. This means that we can speed up a large number of processes, because the parties have been prepared for the approach from the start, says Associate Project Director at COWI, Casper Holmgaard. He elaborates:

– Every time we participate in such a project, we gain a lot of experience that helps raise the bar for what we can achieve in similar projects in the future, he concludes.

Facts about the project:

• Size: 110,000 m2, including 60,000 m2 production site and 50,000 m2 storage area, as well as establishment of a 30 metres wide road between the area and the quay
• Timing: Fully established by 2024
• Developer: Port of Aalborg
• Main contractors: MT Højgaard, Aarsleff and Arkil
• Electricity/installations: Bravida
• Advisers: COWI and Niras
• Client: Bladt Industries

For further information, please contact:

• Mikkel Kalmo Guldhammer, Senior Technology Consultant, Port of Aalborg A/S, tel. +45 99 30 14 55 and mgh@portofaalborg.com
• Press service: Maja Thordahl Schou, Head of PR, Port of Aalborg A/S, tel. 22 61 83 08 and mts@portofaalborg.com