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Meticulous planning has ensured the safe installation of a 70-ton soffit at Seaview Wharf in Wellington, which is believed to be the largest lift from a jack-up barge in New Zealand’s history. A soffit is a structure designed to hold the wharf in place, and last week one was lifted from a 250-ton crane aboard Brian Perry Civil’s new jack-up barge ‘Manahau’. Since March, Manahau has been helping with the upgrade of Seaview Wharf, a critical lifelines asset owned by CentrePort.

CentrePort is working with Z Energy on behalf of the fuel industry to make the 50-year-old wharf and pipeline more resilient to earthquakes and adverse weather events, fit for lower carbon fuel types, and to accommodate different types of fuel ships.

The concrete soffit was poured at the Otaihanga precast yard and transported to the wharf overnight. Brian Perry Civil’s Construction Manager Gabriela Koneski says the challenges were considerable. 

“Our window with the weather was very limited, tolerances between the pile cap holes and the piles was small, and we had many starter bars coming out of the soffit and the piles. It was a huge team effort, and I am so proud of what everyone delivered together. 

CentrePort’s General Manager for Ferries and Bulk Andrew Steele, said everyone involved in the project has shown flexibility, given the wharf is still operational.

“Brian Perry have done a great job. This lift occurred over two days while there was a fuel ship in berth, and we have a strong partnership with Brian Perry Civil and the fuel industry to minimise costs and delays on this project, while ensuring ships don’t have to wait. Thanks as well to our Mana Whenua partners and the local Seaview community for supporting this ongoing work.”  

 Find out more about the Seaview Energy Resilience Project

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