Learn how our marine engineering expertise helped strengthen and expand the breakwater at the Port of Vado Ligure – enhancing resilience and supporting regional trade.
The Port of Vado Ligure is an important freight and logistics hub situated on Italy’s Ligurian coast. With deep natural waters capable of accommodating some of the country’s largest container ships, including ULCVs (Ultra-Large Container Vessels), it plays a key role in regional trade and is a major gateway for fruit imports into Europe.
However, growing cargo volumes and more frequent severe storms were putting strain on the port’s existing breakwater. Without urgent upgrades, Vado Ligure risked greater exposure to rough seas, making docking unsafe and potentially disrupting trade.
To address this, the port authority (Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mar Ligure Occidentale) commissioned us to relocate and extend the breakwater – part of a wider investment programme to modernise infrastructure and boost resilience.
Our Italy and UK teams contributed to the project through the overall structural and geotechnical detailed design of the breakwater, helping to ensure it meets the port’s current and future operational needs.
Applying our marine engineering expertise
Relocating a breakwater is no simple task. This was a complex engineering project that required innovation, precision and environmental sensitivity.
The main challenge was moving and repurposing 13 large caissons – hollow, reinforced concrete structures built over 50 years ago – from the existing breakwater, while ensuring minimal disruption to port operations and protecting the surrounding marine environment.
Before relocation, these structures had to be carefully assessed and reinforced to ensure they could withstand the stresses of moving them and long-term exposure to powerful waves.
Unstable ground conditions on the seabed posed another challenge. Without meticulous planning, this could have compromised the structural integrity of the breakwater.
A collaborative approach to tackling complex challenges
Delivering this project required expertise across multiple disciplines – including maritime, structural, geotechnical and geological engineering – as well as seamless collaboration between stakeholders including the port authority and contractors, CJV Fincantieri and Fincosit.
This was particularly important during the design of the extended breakwater. While the structure was initially designed with two new caissons, we recommended increasing this to four new caissons. This will improve the breakwater’s resilience against high waves and more intense weather events.
To make the relocation process as safe and efficient as possible, our geotechnical experts used hydrodynamic modelling to simulate the movement of the caissons and plan the most efficient and cost-effective sequence for floating and repositioning them.
We also carefully analysed the seabed conditions and added materials where needed to reinforce it – preventing the caissons from sinking or moving after they were put in place.
Protecting critical marine habitats
Large-scale maritime construction must consider its impact on the natural world, particularly in sensitive marine environments. Posidonia seagrass – a protected species crucial to coastal biodiversity – thrives near Vado Ligure. Therefore, we worked closely with environmental specialists and consultants to ensure the project minimised its impact on this fragile ecosystem.
The breakwater’s foundation was carefully designed using clean rubble material, preventing contamination of surrounding waters. In addition, a real-time monitoring system was installed to track sediment levels in the water during construction. This proactive approach helped protect marine life while allowing construction to proceed efficiently.
A stronger, more resilient port
Now that the project is complete, the Port of Vado Ligure is better protected against extreme weather and the demands of modern shipping.
Our marine engineering expertise has played a pivotal role in strengthening the breakwater, extending its lifespan and ensuring lasting protection for the port. These improvements will safeguard Vado Ligure’s operations, ensuring it remains a reliable maritime gateway for generations to come.