Lerwick Port Authority have used an environmentally-friendly, cost-saving fendering solution nearer to home, using recycled tyres, instead of importing from abroad.
Lerwick Port Authority have used an environmentally-friendly, cost-saving fendering solution nearer to home, using recycled tyres, instead of importing from abroad. With long delivery times, imported systems are expensive to buy and install and require frequent maintenance.
Authority staff designed, fabricated and installed the bespoke solution, using two sizes of recycled tyres, in conjunction with the designer and main contractor. Truck tyres were hung two deep, while on the outside faces used by bigger vessels, larger earth-moving machinery tyres were used. Attached by brackets and chains, rapid installation did not require tidal working.
The innovation is in the design of the fixings and ability to switch out tyres more easily. The project required 215 240-kilogram larger tyres and 580 60 kilogram tyres, with a total of more than 86 tonnes of tyres diverted from landfill.