The unique berth at D44 in Long Beach, California, designed in partnership by Seabulk, world leader in solutions for the marine bulk industry, and Bellingham Marine, world renowned marina builder, was developed in response to a need for an environmentally friendly, low cost berthing system designed specifically for the docking of Panamax-class, self-discharging bulk carriers.

The berthing system developed by the team includes two stifflegs supported by match-cast, post-tensioned floating concrete platforms. The legs position the self-unloading bulk carrier and provide a load path to bearing walls at the top of the bank. The legs also support a walkway for vessel line handling and pilot access to the buoyancy float.

Polaris Materials, President and CEO, Herb Wilson reported the ship’s pilot and crew were impressed by the strength of the stifflegs and how easy line handling was at the new berth. Polaris Materials is the parent company of Eagle Rock Aggregates.

“The stiffleg system utilized at D44 delivered ship berthing and mooring at a fraction of the cost of a conventional pile supported facility,” shared, Mark Mattila, Vice President of Ports and Marine for Seabulk. Additional features and benefits of the system include minimal overwater coverage, pre-fabrication of components for quick and easy marine installation, and it’s environmentally friendly.

Mattila added, “Bellingham Marine’s concrete buoyancy floats mesh beautifully with the design and provide requisite buoyancy and deadweight for the system to work.”