Echoscope realtime sonar system for Van Oord

Survey & GPS - January 29, 2010

Coda Octopus has been awarded a contract by Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors in The Netherlands for the supply of an Echoscope 3D realtime sonar.

The order follows the purchase of Echoscope systems in 2008 by Ras Laffan Northern Breakwater Contractors (RLNBC), the joint venture company comprising Van Oord and Boskalis. The systems were deployed successfully on the Ras Laffan LNG port expansion project in Qatar.

The sonar, built on patented Echoscope technology, will be incorporated into Van Oord's existing pool of units which are to be used initially for two large scale projects in the Netherlands.

In Amsterdam the Echoscope system is being used to visualise live underwater excavation operations as part of the construction of a new metro station. Situated directly beneath the existing Amsterdam Central Station, the new metro system runs North-South across the city and will carry 200,000 passengers each day. The existing station is built on hundreds of large oak pilings which are to be carefully removed during the construction project. The unique technology of the Echoscope enables the accurate real time 3D visualisation of the pilings during the removal process as well as the dredging of the chamber around them.

In Rotterdam the construction of Maasvlakte 2 is part of the Mainport Development Project where the PUMA consortium, consisting of Koninklijke Boskalis Westminster NV and Van Oord NV, has been contracted to build the first phases.

In this project the Echoscope system provides crane operators with critical real time visualisation during the removal of the existing concrete breakwater structure and the construction of replacement walls.

Commenting on the order, Gareth Simpson, CodaOctopus Products Sales Manager said: "When the Echoscope system was used in the breakwater construction project in Qatar, RLNBC was very pleased with the results, seeing both increased productivity and improved levels of safety. The purchase of an additional Echoscope system will enable Van Oord to achieve goals which would not be possible with other types of sonar and we are delighted to continue our working relationship with them in their marine construction projects.''