The Importance of Robust and Durable Port Drainage Channels

Cargo ports play an important role in the transportation of global goods. They are the gateway to vital international trade and have the responsibility of handling over 95 per cent of the UK’s imports and exports.

This type of infrastructure needs efficient surface water drainage systems to prevent operational disturbances when extreme weather conditions occur.

Requirements for port drainage systems

Cargo ports and container terminals present the most challenging environments for surface drainage systems. Below are some of the reasons why.

Terminal tractors, forklifts, heavy good vehicles (HGVs) or reach stackers are used to move and transport shipping containers. The most commonly used container for international transportation of ocean freight goods is 40-foot. These alone can have a maximin allowable weight of 29 tons and reach stackers can have a load capacity over 100 tons.

Port drainage systems must have the ability to cope with the operative demands of the surface area. They need to be robust and secure enough to withstand extremely heavy loads and dynamic forces from vehicles turning, braking and accelerating.

At each port or container terminal, the frequency of which drainage channels are exposed to heavy loads and dynamic forces can differ. It is particularly important to take the framework conditions into account as early as the planning phase to ensure the system can cope with the correct wheel point load and frequency.

Various chemicals and surface pollutants can occur as a result of everyday port operations. Hydrocarbons (fuel, oils etc), heavy metals (e.g. brake dust), plastic or rubber particles and even hazardous substances can deposit on the surface.

These pollutants can pose a significant threat to the local environment as they can seep into coastal waters or drain into natural watercourses or sewer networks.

HAURATON provide efficient surface water treatment with DRAINFIX CLEAN that assists with cleansing surface water run-off from heavy-duty operational areas.

Channel drainage installed in cargo ports can often be exposed to a range of corrosive elements such as saline conditions, ground sulphates, high humidity, extreme temperatures, strong UV radiation, sand abrasion, hydrocarbon fuels, loose raw materials and much more.

Drainage systems for ports and container terminals must have solutions that are designed with materials with a high level of resistance to corrosives.

Heavy rainfall and extreme weather conditions can produce high volumes of run-off from large surface areas.

A high-capacity drainage system, with accurate hydraulic calculations and drainage design, can ensure surfaces are reliably drained.

Drainage solutions for ports and container terminals

HAURATON have supplied surface drainage systems to over 100 major ports, container terminals and harbours around the world. Understanding the certain requirements drainage has to withstand, makes HAURATON’s port drainage systems known for their reliability and overall performance.

Included below are three separate drainage systems that meet the challenges of drainage for ports and container terminals.

Product comparison

RECYFIX HICAP F

High capacity slot drainage channel for areas with extreme loads & dynamics.

FASERFIX SUPER

Channel drainage for extreme loads and dynamic forces.

DRAINFIX CLEAN

Treatment of polluted surface water.

RECYFIX MONOTEC ULTRA

Monolithic drainage channel for heavy-duty applications

Load class according to EN 1433

up to F 900

Load frequency

Load dynamics

Nominal width | System size

1000, 2000, 3000, 5000, 8000, 10000

100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 500

300, 400, 500

200, 300

Materials of the lower parts

Modified polypropylene (PP), 100 % recycled composite

Fibre-reinforced concrete

Fiber reinforced concrete or polypropylene (PP)

Modified polypropylene (PP), 100 % recycled composite

Angle housing

Galvanised steel or ductile iron edge rail with 40 x 40 mm insertion depth

Depending on the version with FASERFIX or RECYFIX:
Galvanised steel or cast iron frame with 40 x 40 mm insertion depth

–

Grating variants

Ductile iron slotted top

Ductile iron gratings
GUGI ductile iron gratings

Ductile iron grating

Ductile iron grating with lateral concrete anchoring

Gradient

Constant depth
Stepped fall

Constant depth
Built-in fall
Stepped fall

–

Special characteristics

Radial installations possible
Large channels for retention
Channel run without slotted top achievable, for example, under planted areas
Cable installations can be threaded though throat voids of the channel

SIDE-LOCK, boltless locking system
16 fixing points for grating/metre

Rainwater treatment by surface filtration
Plannable in accordance with KECO approval
Proprietary treatment system: CIRIA SuDS Manual C753 chapter 14

Material combination of recycled PP and ductile iron for adaptability on the construction site and robustness
Side wings for optimum connection to the concrete surface
No screws and loose parts on the surface
Connection between channel and grating encased in concrete for extra safety

RECYFIX HICAP installed in Sunderland Port

RECYFIX HICAP installed within a industrial port

HAURATON provide a wide range of linear drainage systems suitable for coastal and waterside areas accessed by the general public, such as marinas, harbours and maritime passenger terminals serving cruise ships and ferries.

These areas require surface drainage systems with the following characteristics:

Strong, safe and practical system design for public areas subject to heavy pedestrian use
High level of corrosion resistance for long-term durability in environments with harsh conditions
Decorative or discreet features to complement or enhance the aesthetic design
Drainage, filtering and treatment of surface water pollutants to assist with the protection of the marine environment

Our team of experts will be happy to advise what is the most suitable solution for your project. Get in touch to discuss your requirements.

FASERFIX SUPER installed at Marina of Gdynia

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Rainwater Management

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Requirements for port drainage systems

1. Exposure to heavy loads & dynamic forces

2. Volume of traffic

3. Contaminated surfaces

4. Corrosive environments

5. Extensive surfaces

Drainage solutions for ports and container terminals

Port drainage solutions for harbours, quays and passenger terminals

Other application areas that may interest you

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