The installation of all caissons at Anchorage No. 1 of the Pinglu Canal has been completed.

On September 4, with the final caisson being smoothly and precisely positioned in the Maowei Sea area of Qinzhou, all 75 caissons for Anchorage No. 1 of the Pinglu Canal, constructed by CCCC First Harbor Engineering Co., Ltd., were successfully installed.

A total of 75 special-shaped caissons needed to be prefabricated and installed for Anchorage No. 1 of the Pinglu Canal, all of which are integrated caisson-breast wall prefabricated structures, with a maximum single-unit weight of up to 1,540 tons. The project faced challenges such as a large number of components and high precision installation standards. The anchorage is located in the open sea area at the Maowei Sea estuary, subject to multiple interferences from typhoon weather, tidal fluctuations, wind, waves, and currents. The effective operational windows were scattered and limited, and underwater alignment, leveling, and stabilization posed significant construction difficulties, severely restricting the smooth progress of the project.

In response to the challenges of construction in a complex marine environment, the project team adhered to a strategy of technological empowerment and precise measures, achieving breakthroughs in both process innovation and construction organization. To address the key difficulties in special-shaped caisson construction, two sets of specialized lifting tools were independently developed and paired with a 2,600-ton crane vessel for caisson lifting operations, ensuring operational safety and significantly improving the efficiency of underwater caisson installation. Additionally, a GNSS split-type intelligent positioning guidance system was introduced to collect real-time component coordinates and dynamically correct positioning, effectively solving the high-precision construction challenges in offshore conditions without direct visibility.

To seize the valuable construction window periods, the project implemented a 24-hour shift system and a dynamic scheduling mechanism to tackle challenges. The team proactively coordinated with maritime and other regulatory authorities, established a regular linkage mechanism, standardized construction reporting, and strictly controlled navigation safety, maximizing the use of tidal periods to accelerate progress. Since the successful installation of the first caisson on June 25, after more than two months of continuous effort, the project team completed the installation of all caissons to high standards, successfully overcoming the challenges of underwater construction in open sea areas.

The successful completion of this milestone marks an important achievement in the project’s construction, fully demonstrating the team’s hydraulic engineering technical strength and problem-solving capabilities in complex marine environments. It also accumulated valuable experience in offshore installation of special-shaped caissons. Next, the project will focus on the construction of auxiliary structures for the caissons, providing a solid foundation for the smooth navigation of the Pinglu Canal.

It is understood that upon completion, Anchorage No. 1 of the Pinglu Canal will meet the diverse needs of 5,000-ton ships for berthing, formation, and lock waiting. This will play a significant role in improving the canal’s navigation system, enhancing navigation support capabilities, and strengthening the maritime safety defense line.