First 4,300-Ton Caisson Transported and Installed for Phase I Breakwater Project at Xiaomo International Logistics Port

After 18 hours of continuous effort on January 7th, the first massive caisson for the Phase I Breakwater Project at the Xiaomo International Logistics Port in the Shenzhen-Shanwei Special Cooperation Zone, weighing 4,300 tons, was successfully transported and precisely installed, laying a solid foundation for the overall completion and delivery of the project. The Phase I Breakwater Project is organized for construction by the Shenzhen Public Transport Facilities Construction Center and constructed by CCCC Second Harbor Engineering Co., Ltd. The installed caisson measures 31.24 meters by 23.3 meters by 12.8 meters and weighs 4,300 tons. To achieve its safe and efficient transport and installation, the project utilized a "airbag lifting + semi-submersible barge transport" technique; this involved using pre-cast pedestals with reserved lifting trenches, threading through eight airbags each with a diameter of 1 meter and a length of 24 meters to complete the lifting, then moving it to the transport channel using a winch traction system, subsequently towing it with a 4,000 HP tugboat to a 10,000-ton-class semi-submersible barge for transport to the caisson site, and finally achieving precise submersion and placement via a positioning vessel. This combination of technologies significantly enhanced the safety and efficiency of transporting heavy components, providing valuable practical experience for the construction of similar super-large caissons. Notably, the caisson was constructed using a layered pre-casting process, filled internally with medium-fine sand materials, and meticulously designed with artificial reef structures to provide an ecological space for various marine organisms to breed, grow, and inhabit. This design not only ensures the structural stability of the caisson but also deeply integrates modern engineering technology with ecological conservation concepts, achieving an organic balance between engineering construction and marine ecological protection, thereby setting a new benchmark for sustainable marine infrastructure. To facilitate the transport of the massive caisson, the project department adopted a plan involving a reinforced concrete ramp smoothly connected to the quay front, coordinated with a transport scheme using winches and 12 airbags for longitudinal movement. Compared to conventional methods, this solution increased transport efficiency by 10%, offering a reliable technical reference for similar projects.