Able Seaton Port
Able Seaton Port, Tees Road, Hartlepool TS25 2DB
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Able Seaton Port (ASP) is located in the centre of the UK on the North East Coast close to the mouth of the River Tees and covers 51 hectares (126 acres) including a 10 hectare (25 acre) dry dock (currently wet) – one of the world’s largest.
It is capable of handling all types of offshore construction vessels, has significant crane capacity and quays, which have been constructed particularly to suit the requirements of the heavy fabrication industry.
Quays 10 & 11 are some of the strongest in Europe at 306m long and are designed with a quay loading capacity of 40T/m² with a heavy load-out pad area capable of 60T/m².
Quay 6 is a new heavy-lift quay at the northern end of the wet dock. At 60T/m² this is one of the heaviest load out quays in Europe. It’s initial function is to service the Brent field decommissioning project which Able is undertaking with partners Shell and Allseas.
Quay 1 is a new import/export facility situated at the western side of the wet dock entrance. This quay provides additional capacity for vessel and rig berthing as well as direct access to the sizeable land holding on the western side of the Seaton port estate.
ASP is in a sheltered location at the end of a short channel (0.6 NM) with very little current (0.3 m/s) and no passing marine traffic. This combined with ASPs sizeable holding basin and dredge box provides flexibility at the port for manoeuvring and accepting large rigs and vessels enabling work schedules to be maintained.
There is over 9,000m² of indoor fabrication, warehousing and storage space available and over 3,000m² of welfare and office facilities that can be modified to suit our client’s requirements.
Our unique commitment to operating ASP as a true multi-user facility provides:
A more competitive option for our clients
A more flexible approach to project management
True cost and operational efficiencies
The chance for local supply chain businesses to become more competitive
Whichever marine sector you operate in, Able Seaton Port can provide a solution.
Able Seaton Port Facility combines one of the heaviest load out quays in Europe with one of the worlds largest Dry Docks to bring meaningful effect in the field of decommissioning marine structures, in a manner that starkly contrasts with the traditional practices in the developing world.
The decommissioning of complex marine structures is a sector that augments the Able Group’s core capabilities.
Able Seaton Port has the extremely rare and prized distinction of being a facility outside of the United States which has been certified by the US Navy for the decommissioning of its redundant assets. In addition to this the port was appointed as the decommissioning site for the French Government’s Aircraft Carrier ‘Le Clemenceau’ and was selected on the basis that it was the best facility in Europe to undertake this high profile decommissioning project.
Able Seaton Port has been the location of our oil and gas platform decommissioning work and has enabled us to become a market leader in this field. To date, we have successfully dismantled 15 offshore platforms and we calculate that the total percentage of reuse and recycling from these platforms is circa 98%. ABLE always applies the Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO) which in most cases provides the most cost effective solution.
Able has capabilities to support a variety of projects so early engagement with us during the project planning phase is advisable. Our experiences show that our flexible approach and knowledge assists our clients to provide a more competitive offer within their own tenders.
Able Seaton Port Marine Decommissioning Brochure
ASP offers some of the strongest quays in Europe. It is at the heart of the UK offshore wind zones and crucially, the infrastructure is already in place, making it available now for the offshore wind sector to use.
Planning consents are in place for offshore wind manufacturing activities and the full erection / assembly of offshore wind turbines, making it a unique location for manufacturing, construction and deployment of offshore wind turbines and associated components.
The site is suitable for the following activities and more:
Blade manufacturing and testing
Cable manufacturing / storage / spooling
Coatings / Painting operations
Gearbox and bearings
Internal tower and boat landing system manufacturers / fitting
Nacelle manufacturing and testing
Operations and Maintenance
Offshore wind turbine component pre-assembly and Prototype Manufacture
Port and support services
Project teams / activity for offshore projects
Repairs – repowering
Steel foundation manufacturing and assembly
Storage and outfitting of transition pieces
Storage and marshalling
Tower manufacturing and testing
ASP is a great port for break-bulk and offshore wind projects. Furthermore it provides an efficient route for the handling and delivery of both on and offshore wind turbine components.
Able operates its port locations differently to most conventional ports. Able is a privately owned company and prides itself on an ability to take decisions and stand by them. Customer relationships are crucial in today’s modern offshore industry and the stakes are high. We understand it is important that operations are undertaken seamlessly to avoid costly delays during the construction phases of the wind farms.
The dry dock is ideal for the construction / fabrication of large scale components such as gravity based (concrete) foundations, allowing for a variety of manufacture and load out concepts to be tested and implemented. The dry dock can be used for prototype and serial manufacture of gravity based foundations.
Able continues to play a pivotal role in offshore wind development and upholding the dry docks esteemed reputation as the birth place for previous pioneering projects, today embarking on the development of new exciting concepts.
Able Seaton Port Offshore Wind Brochure
For many years ASP has been the location of choice for a number of offshore oil and gas related assignments as well as other more traditional maritime engineering projects.
A variety of projects can be undertaken at ASP and the site is fully licensed to carry out the following:
Use of land for fabrication yard for off shore gas exploration production platforms and accommodation modules
Berthing facility
Dismantling and refurbishment of redundant marine structures and equipment
Construction of marine jackets and equipment
Enlargement and refurbishment of dock and use as a base for oil related floating crane and transport barges
Import and export of general cargos
Receiving, storage, processing and disposal of drill cuttings
Rig Upgrade & Maintenance
The holding basin can accommodate multiple rigs together with the largest offshore heavy lift and super lift vessels.
A long line of offshore vessels from a wide variety of operators use the port for inspection, upgrade and maintenance. Our team has worked tirelessly with our clients to develop good levels of experience and extend our product offering.
Our core competencies include:
Accommodation Modifications and Upgrades
Crane Line Boring
Dive & Spud leg surveys
Fabrication and repair works
Hull replacements
Handrails and ladders – reconfigurations
Internal refits
Plant and Equipment Services
Ultrasonic Hull Inspections
Replacement of wind walls
Shot blasting and painting
Pipe work
Scaffolding
Testing
Tank cleaning and waste removal
Providing a timely service to a high standard is crucial so ABLE offers a fully-managed service to clients or will simply provide ancillary support where required.
As well as our own services strong relationships exist with reliable supply chain companies who can access the port to provide competitive services.
ASP has previously completed successful projects employing over 1,000 personnel on site at any time. ABLE can provide a variety of vocations to undertake a number of skilled roles for clients.
Able can also provide the following services at ASP:
Accommodation Module outfitting i.e. carpentry and plumbing
Class / ASME Approved Welders
Electrical Motor reconditioning and rewinding services
Machine Shops
NDT Capabilities
Pipe Fitting
Specialist Coating and Paint Treatment
Tank Cleaning
Valve reconditioning and Fabrication
The Able dry dock facility at Able Seaton Port (ASP) is one of the largest in the world. Through an on-going investment programme of circa £50m Able has re-established ASP as a facility of strategic national significance.
Dry docks of this nature and scale are exceptional and play an influential role in defining the UK’s capabilities to service key sectors such as oil and gas, large scale construction projects and offshore renewables.
Able’s flexible approach enables companies wishing to undertake large commissions, such as fabrications for the oil and gas sector or the manufacture of gravity based foundations for the burgeoning renewables industry, to hire the dry dock on a project by project basis.
The dry dock also offers a unique proposition to oil and gas rig operators. In addition to ASP offering wet berthing and servicing, the dry docks sheer size means it can also offer full dry dock servicing to the largest rigs, platforms and heavy lift vessels currently operating in the North Sea.
Currently the dry dock is 376m long and 233m wide with an entrance width of 120m. A multi-million pound upgrade of the dry dock to include a new wider concrete caisson dry dock gate and the creation of a new inner dock area will enable the yard to expand its service offering and provide greater flexibility to tackle large complex projects.
Our dry dock facility is a key enabler for pivotal activity within a variety of sectors. We are interested to speak to customers with a variety of potential uses:
Ship Recycling – Able is already a major player in this sector.
Offshore Decommissioning – ASP is one of a few yards that has the capability to be able to recycle large steel jackets (similar to those that were originally constructed at the yard – 28,000T, 288m x 85m x 85m).
Heavy Lift Vessels (HLV) – HLVs that operate in European waters currently rely on availability at one European yard in Holland for repairs, upgrades and maintenance.
Super Lift Vessels (SLV) – The offshore industry has been considering a new range of SLVs for some time. Due to its size, the ASP dry dock is suitable for constructing and maintaining SLVs similar to those like the ‘Allseas Pieter Schelte 382m x 124m’
Aircraft Carriers – ASP’s dry dock is the only dry dock in Europe that has the capability of simultaneously docking two aircraft carriers.
Commercial Ship Repair – this is a sector with strong and steady demand, and the large dry dock will allow very large vessels (too large for existing European yards) to have work undertaken in the UK thus providing a new work stream to the UK.
GBS Recycling – Gravity Base Units used in the offshore oil and gas industry are very large structures often over c. 50,000T over 60m tall. They are now coming near to the end of their designed life and facilities are required for their recycling. ASP satisfies the sectors demand for a large dry dock, with a gate opening over 120m.
GBS Manufacture – The offshore wind sector is considering the use of GBS foundations for projects in deeper water. ASP dry dock provides a location for the prototype and serial manufacture of GBS foundations as well as their deployment. This sector is also soon requiring test and demo sites to make prototypes and rehearse their deployment via a variety of different methods.
Oil Rig & GBS Fabrication for Oil and Gas – ASP is one of a few yards that have the scale necessary to construct these very large structures. Undertaking construction in a dry environment allows for cost reductions to be achieved thus improving ASP’s market position.
Bespoke working practices can be developed for future projects to ensure our client’s specific needs are met.
| Dry Dock | Description |
|---|---|
| Area | 10 Hectares |
| Length | 323m |
| Maximum Width | 264m |
| Entrance Width | 120m |
| Dock Floor | -6.65mCD |
| Water Depth at MHWS | 12.15m |
| Dock Access | 200m 1:15 Gradient Ramp |
ASP is available for general port activity and offers outside and undercover storage to accommodate all types of bulk cargo including specialist products and raw materials. The site provides HMRC approved warehousing, flexibility on storage periods and highly secure premises with bespoke security services.
The port regularly handles conventional cargoes as well as bespoke components for a variety of sectors. Able also provides auxiliary services to ensure the smooth transit of materials such as: slabs, beams, plates, scrap cargoes, pipes – coated and uncoated, commodities of various character, heavy lift machinery, sand and aggregates.
ASP can facilitate a range of activity having undertaken a range of unique projects in the past.
The removal of A-frames from anchor handling vessels
The receipt of large modular support frames from major oil and gas platforms
Removal and replacing of complete decks from rigs
The deployment and receipt of nuclear power station components
ASP can also offer facilities for temporary berthing of the following vessels:
Anchor angling vessels
Barges
Bulk carriers
Conventional cargo vessels
Container vessels
Heavy Lift Vessels (HLVs)
Offshore wind installation vessels
Ro-Ro vessels
Super Lift Vessels (SLVs)
Supply Vessels
Tugs and Workboats
Seaton Channel is a private shipping channel that supports ABLE Seaton Port. The channel runs 0.60NM west from the River Tees Turning Circle which is located 2NM from the Tees Fairway Buoy. This gives the port unparalleled sailing times to open sea in comparison with other ports on the River Tees.
Points of Contact:
ABLE UK Ltd
Harbour Master
For general enquiries including the issuing of Notices to Mariners contact: harbourmaster@pdports.co.uk
Svitzer Tugs Ltd
| Characteristics | Information |
|---|---|
| Air Draft Restrictions | None |
| Fairway Buoy Depth | -15.4mCD |
| Turning Circle Depth | -14.1mCD |
| Turning Circle Diameter | 520m |
| Channel Length | 1,270m |
| Channel Overall Width | 142m |
| – Channel One Width | 142m -5.00mCD |
| – Channel Two Width | 120m -6.50mCD |
| – Channel Three Width | 85m -9.50mCD |
| Mean High Water Springs (MHWS) | 5.55mCD |
| Mean Low Water Springs (MLWS) | 0.90mCD |
| Mean High Water Neap (MHWN) | 4.30mCD |
| Mean Low Water Neap (MLWN) | 2.00mCD |
| Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT) | 6.10mCD |
| Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) | 0.00mCD |
| Max. Depth of Water (MHWS) at Quayside | 20.5m |
| Quayside Height | 7.85mCD |