TECON has been commissioned by SIOT S.p.A. to undertake a comprehensive revamping project of the mooring and breasting dolphins at the “S. Sabba” Marine Terminal in Trieste. This strategic facility serves as a crucial gateway for oil distribution to Central Europe through the TAL pipeline network.

The terminal accommodates large oil tankers up to 200,000 DWT across four berths distributed between two piers. The existing infrastructure required significant upgrades to meet current operational demands and safety standards under extreme environmental conditions, including Bora winds reaching 80 knots.

Project Scope

Our comprehensive engineering assessment identified critical weaknesses in the existing mooring and breasting dolphin systems. The mooring dolphins demonstrated insufficient pull capacity (54-87 tons) compared to required loads (200-240 tons), while breasting dolphins suffered from degraded fender systems and inadequate pile strength.

Pier 1 – Revamping Works

• 2 new multi-pile mooring dolphins with 240-ton capacity, featuring 4 raked piles at +8.00m elevation
• 4 new monopile breasting dolphins (Ø1800mm) for energy absorption and breast forces
• 8 existing dolphins upgraded with new fender systems and additional Ø1800mm piles
• 1 additional shore-side mooring dolphin for Handymax vessels

Pier 2 – Revamping Works

• 1 new multi-pile mooring dolphin with 240-ton capacity configuration
• 8 existing dolphins upgraded with enhanced fender systems and structural reinforcement
• 1 additional shore-side mooring dolphin for smaller vessel operations

Engineering Approach

Our design adheres to international standards including BS 6349:1-2, PIANC Report 153 (2016), and guidelines from the PIANC World Congress (2018). The load design philosophy incorporates Service Limit State (SLS) conditions based on winch brake holding capacity and Ultimate Limit State (ULS) conditions accounting for line rupture scenarios.

TECON delivered a complete engineering package including structural analyses, mooring pattern optimization, geological and geotechnical studies, and comprehensive project documentation to ensure successful execution and long-term performance.