Hyundai has been awarded the EPC Contract which officially commenced on 20th October 2010 and has subsequently appointed Royal Haskoning as the lead designer. Hyundai's contract also requires design of the second phase, dredging and navigation channel design. Royal Haskoning will complete all this work for Hyundai. Detailed design is being undertaken on the basis of the tender design prepared in our Newcastle office and is due to be completed within eleven months from commencement. Hyundai's programme is challenging and Royal Haskoning is working closely with the contractor and other parties to carefully manage the fast track design process to ensure the construction details are practical and buildable. Aspects of the designRoyal Haskoning Project Director Tim Bownes explains how the project began in an atmosphere of collaboration: "The kick off workshop was proposed to bring all parties together and to begin a series of discussions on critical aspects of the design. The Ministry of Public Works Mega Projects Division Kuwait kindly hosted the first session of the kick off workshop. Wide ranging discussions on geotechnical, reclamation, quay wall and environmental issues took place during the first two days. The break in the proceedings was used to move the meeting to the UK and bring together all of the European based engineers and technical staff from Royal Haskoning for discussions with Hyundai; to check on design progress and interfaces and numerous technical issues. Further workshops took place, covering dredging, revetments and navigation channel design with a final day at Wallingford to talk about the physical modelling to be undertaken by HR Wallingford as part of Royal Haskoning's design responsibilities".Team approachWhy the need for such extensive discussions? "Hyundai and Royal Haskoning are very much advocating a team approach. Aside from the fact that good communications are at the heart of any project, the speed of this one dictates it is the only approach to adopt", says Tim. "The technical challenges are substantial, mainly brought about by the nature of the site. The location selected by Ministry of Public Works is in an area of deep silty deposits at the head of the Arabian Gulf. The tender design process examined a number of solutions including suspended decks and gravity structures. Through close working with Hyundai, a solution utilising a large combi-wall together with deep soil mixing and band drain/surcharging was selected. It appears this may be the first time a combi-wall and deep soil mixing has been used together so it is vital all parties discuss the various aspects of design and construction", Tim adds."The design work is now in full swing and very detailed studies are being made of the predicted behaviour of the wall and its interaction with the deep soil mixing zone and unconsolidated silt. To an extent this is a mix of cultures; combi-walls are widespread in Europe, deep soil mixing is common in the Far East. There is great interest in how these two will meet in Kuwait. We are fortunate to have experts with wide experience of both and to be working with a contractor who is determined to succeed", Tim comments. In order to provide further reassurance, engineers from Royal Haskoning's Large Walls Group will provide peer review services which we have adopted as standard practice for significant retaining structures.Royal Haskoning is employed by Hyundai Engineering & Construction Company as designer on the Boubyan Seaport project where the $1billion first phase is underway at the mouth of the Tigris in north east Kuwait. The most interesting part of the project: the synergy that will be created by the mix of cultures. An unusual mix of cultures at the >> 12rangeinternational

the Khawr Abd Allah estuaryCommunicationsThe process of work for this project which includes technical, project management and drawings are being distributed to branch offices in Liverpool, Peterborough, London and Rotterdam. Tim Bownes, who is based in Dubai, is in regular contact with Hyundai's project management to ensure the smooth progress of this project."Of course internal communications are just as important as those between different organisations, given the geographical spread of the design and management activities. Regular dialogue takes place using various means and the fact that staff tend to be close knit and meet professionally and socially on a regular basis helps this process", Tim concludes.Tim Bownes (Middle East)t.bownes@royalhaskoning.com+971 (0)50 398 5367Jamie Gray (UK)jamie.gray@royalhaskoning.com+44 (0) 7788924408Image Courtesy of NASAAside from the fact that good communications are at the heart of any project, the speed of this one dictates it is the only approach to adopt. Tim Bownes, Projects Director Royal Haskoning""rangeinternational >> 13