Achievements

Floating wharves in Baffinland

Services :

Harbour and Industrial Services :  Floating Wharves, Marine Transportation

Marine Construction Contractors :  Marine Equipment Rental, Marine Transportation

Ship Owners and Agents :  Towing and Escort

During the summer of 2008, Ocean Group, along with Logistec and Fednav, participated in a project for Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation.  This project consisted in loading high-grade bulk iron ore into barges which was then transferred into ships.  Like most northern areas, Milne Inlet was not equipped with any docking facilities.  In order to maximise transhipment time, Ocean Group was asked to supply barges and workboats as well as a floating wharf.  Since the transhipment operations could only take place from August to October, we had to mobilise and demobilise our equipment very rapidly. In fact, during the transit from Quebec to Milne Inlet, we encountered numerous icebergs and on the way back, the formation of ice had already begun.

• The floating wharf was adapted to the specific requirements of the project.  It required a safe bearing capacity in order to support the conveyers as well as the bulk iron ore. 
• Because of the extreme conditions, such as strong winds, a tide range of 6 feet, and the frequent docking of barges loaded with thousands of tons of iron ore, the wharf had to be extremely stable. Therefore, the structure had to be secured .
• One of the main elements of this project was respect of the environment, which meant no dredging, no dynamiting or pouring of concrete and, of course, leaving the site in its original condition once the operation was over.
• The installation of the floating wharf had to be quick and easy with limited machinery and of course, at a low cost.

After consulting with our customer Logistec, we designed a floating wharf. This structure had to be stable yet temporary, and allow for operations 24 hours a day and was installed in 5 days by 8 workers. The temporary structure allowed loading our hopper barges at low and high tide on a 24-hour schedule without interruption, thus optimizing the operations.

The Milne Inlet project was a great success, thanks to the collaboration and the professionalism of all intervening parties, Logistec, Fednav and Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation.

The floating wharf concept that was used in Milne Inlet could be adapted to other areas in Northern Canada and, under certain conditions, would allow ships to be unloaded directly at the dock. This process would render transhipment activities in the North more efficient and compensate for the lack of infrastructures.

Milne Inlet Project 2008

Maritime Magazine Article

Canadian Sailings Article