Danish contractors working abroad

Construction of port facilities in race against the clock

The port authorities in Jamaica had already ordered five gigantic container cranes from China when Pihl & Søn took on the task of expanding and building the Gordon Cay container terminal in Kingston. The company was extremely pressed for time, says Project Manager Simon Collins of Pihl & Søn.

     “It was an absolute must that the 542 metre long quay structure was completed when the cranes arrived by ship from China. Since part of the construction had to be built during the hurricane season, which causes very difficult water conditions, we decided to drain the harbour area where the work was to be carried out. Using sheet piles, we could keep our feet dry while we built the new quay. And when the cranes arrived in the middle of December the construction was ready.”

     Not only did Pihl & Søn’s technical solution offer a virtually guaranteed ontime delivery, the company’s bid was also the least expensive compared to the South American, European and local bids that the Jamaican port authorities received.

     “It has something to do with our experience and knowledge of constructions in water, but also with leadership style, management and planning,” says Collins. “We never promise more than we can keep, and at the same time we keep our promises.”

     Since the mid 1990s, the Gordon Cay container harbour in Kingston has developed into the Caribbean’s largest transit port for containers. Pihl & Søn has carried out construction work since 1995, when the company built the first section of the terminal. Pihl & Søn has since expanded the construction fourfold, and has also helped restore and build a number of other quay structures and installations in the harbour.