Winch pontoons Baars deployed for New Silk Road to Europe

For a strategic project in Basra, Iraq, Baars is a player in the construction of an underwater infrastructure supporting the New Silk Road to Europe. Ten tunnel elements are being installed in a tributary of the Euphrates River. Baars’ specialized modular winch pontoons have been used to precisely sink these elements, using a thoughtful technique to guide each element to the riverbed in a controlled manner.

Customized modular pontoon solution

Ballast Nedam, working as a subcontractor for Daewoo E&C, asked Baars to provide a modular pontoon solution to meet the specific requirements of this challenging operation. For this project, Baars provided:

• 64 modular pontoons (40′), transformed into eight stable platforms of 24.38 x 9.75 meters.
• Transportation via containers to Basra, specially equipped with CSC plates.
• Essential equipment, such as bollards, railing and spare parts.
• Long rental period: these robust pontoons remain operational for long periods of time, designed for intensive use.

By deploying winch pontoons, specially designed to support and precisely position heavy tunnel elements, Baars is providing support for this large-scale infrastructure project.

Cooperation and safety monitoring

The project was closely supervised by project ingenieur @Xavier Szadkowski, who thoroughly reviewed all safety aspects with Baars’ experienced team. Director @Merijn Terlou personally visited the project site in Basra to ensure that conditions were safe for Baars’ assembly teams. This thorough inspection led to a green light for the delivery and assembly of the pontoons and associated equipment in Iraq.

Logistical precision: from the Netherlands to Iraq

In June, all containers with modular pontoons were collected in Gorinchem and transported by barge to the port of Rotterdam. From there, the pontoons were further transported by container ship to Iraq, arriving in Basra in August. Once arrived, the pontoons have been assembled and are now ready to support the immersion process of the tunnel elements.

Baars: Expertise in hydraulic engineering projects

With the deployment of winch pontoons and other hydraulic engineering solutions, Baars once again demonstrates its expertise in international hydraulic engineering. These projects, in which Dutch knowledge and high-quality equipment are central, contribute to the successful completion of large-scale infrastructure works. By keeping everything from transport to assembly and service in-house, Baars offers its customers the highest quality and reliability.

Want to know more about the project in Basra? Read more on the Ballast Nedam project page.

Are you looking for a partner for sustainable and safe solutions in hydraulic engineering? Check out our website or contact us to discuss the possibilities.