Seaton Port Concrete Dismantling Pad

Specialist civil engineering works in a challenging marine environment

Able UK, a leading provider of decommissioning, recycling, offshore wind marshalling and logistical services, appointed Rainton Construction to deliver a concrete dismantling pad at Seaton Port, Hartlepool, a major offshore and marine facility on the North East coast.

The project involved the construction of a heavy-duty reinforced concrete dismantling pad, designed to support the dismantling of offshore modules and other large-scale structures. Located within a marine environment, the works required careful planning and coordination to ensure delivery met the operational requirements of the busy port facility while providing a durable, long-term asset for Able UK.

Scope of the project

The works comprised the construction of a reinforced concrete dismantling pad spanning approximately 15,200 m² and measuring 400 mm thick.

As part of the project, Rainton Construction installed an integrated surface water drainage system comprising ACO QMAX drainage channels, two oil water separators and a water storage tank with pumping station.

The scope also included steel piling operations, providing a robust foundation to support the heavy-duty operational requirements.

Challenges of working delivery in the marine environment

The exposed coastal location presented a significant challenge throughout delivery. Situated adjacent to the sea, the project was highly susceptible to changing weather conditions, particularly wind, rainfall and saltwater exposure.

Concrete finishing operations required careful management to ensure the final surface achieved the required specification and performance standards. To mitigate the impact of adverse weather, concrete pours were carefully planned around forecast conditions, with the site team maintaining a close watch on local weather patterns to protect programme certainty and achieve the desired finish quality.

The project also involved the installation of deep drainage infrastructure and below-ground structures, including oil water separators and a pumping station, requiring careful excavation and construction sequencing.

Innovative delivery methods to increase project efficiency

Innovative construction techniques were adopted throughout the project, including the use of Bamtec reinforcement in place of traditional A393 mesh. This reduced manual handling requirements, improved installation efficiency and supported safer working practices on site.

The team also carried out the installation of the pumping station and associated drainage infrastructure in-house, enabling greater control over quality, programme and delivery.

Retaining 1,463 tonnes of material throughout the project

Environmental performance was a key success of the project. A total of 1,463 tonnes of material arisings were retained and reused on site, resulting in zero project waste being sent to landfill. By maximising material reuse and minimising waste disposal, the project reduced vehicle movements, supported circular economy principles and lowered the overall environmental impact of the works.

A successful delivery in the marine sector

The dismantling pad was delivered safely, successfully and ahead of programme, providing Able UK with a purpose-built facility capable of supporting future offshore and marine dismantling activities.

The successful delivery of the project demonstrates Rainton Construction’s capability in delivering specialist infrastructure projects within challenging marine environments, while maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality and sustainability.