Aberdeen Harbour, one of the UK’s oldest and busiest ports, serves as a key hub for the oil and gas industry in north-west Europe, with connections to 40 countries.

The expansion of the South Harbour aims to enhance and diversify the port’s capabilities, making it the largest port in Scotland in terms of berthage. The project includes dredging Nigg Bay, constructing two breakwaters, and developing new quays on the north and west sides of the bay.

Dextra provided a practical solution for concrete integrity testing of the 35-45m deep bored piles supporting the harbour structure. The contractor, Dragados, used Sonitec sonic tubes (50mm and 100mm) for inclinometrics and coring purposes.

The Sonitec system, equipped with enlarged bell-mouth ends, facilitates the easy connection of long tubes for reinforcement cages. Once lowered into the hole and filled with concrete, the tubes were used for ultrasonic cross-hole testing, complying with ASTM D6760 standards.

This expansion enhances opportunities for existing customers and opens doors to new markets, future-proofing the port’s ability to support economic growth in Aberdeen and the surrounding region.