In addition to using the country's largest self-elevating barge, they are also using sustainable concrete made from calcined clays
Our employer, Acciona, recently announced the strengthening of its maritime fleet with the largest self-elevating barge registered in Australia. This barge is capable of rising above the ocean surface to create a raised and stable work platform. It features a 400-ton crane, a helipad, accommodation for 50 workers, a kitchen, a dining area, offices, and a medical clinic. It is designed for superior performance in rough seas, significantly reducing vulnerability to waves, tides, and ocean currents.
According to the company, this vessel, named Beverley, represents a significant investment that substantially enhances its capacity to develop complex maritime infrastructure. According to Bede Noonan, CEO of Acciona for Australia and New Zealand, Beverley "marks a turning point for maritime construction in Australia (...) It is currently playing a key role in the complex construction of the marine intake structure for desalination projects and will contribute to shaping sustainable infrastructure projects in the years to come."
Acciona also recently celebrated the completion of its first concrete pours using calcined clay mixes at the Clarinda and Monash construction sites, part of Victoria's Suburban Connect project. This milestone represents a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions in construction. Cement-related emissions remain a major contributor to the carbon footprint of traditional concrete.
More than 250 cubic meters of calcined clay concrete were poured at these sites during March. Calcined clay, used in Europe for decades, has been identified as a promising alternative due to its lower carbon intensity and potential for stable supply. The company notes that this material aligns with its sustainability and carbon reduction goals by decreasing cement content, strengthening the resilience of local supply, and reducing reliance on increasingly scarce byproducts. The calcined clay used in the recent pours came from Ballarat, supporting Victoria's regional industry.
Read the news about the Beverley barge on the Acciona Australia website
Read the news about calcined clay concrete on the Acciona Australia website
