[Job Story] Epiroc HB 7000 Supports 24 m Underwater Quay Wall Demolition at Antwerp’s Europa Terminal

At Europa Terminal in Antwerp, work is underway on a major quay wall rebuild, with demolition running in parallel to keep the programme on track. The removal of the existing structure has been awarded to Adex Groep, a contractor used to working where land-based methods fall short. For this job, Adex built its own platform: a self-levelling pontoon carrying a 320-ton demolition crane known as Genius, designed to stay stable and productive in demanding marine conditions.

The old quay wall spans 1,200 metres and rests on 49 concrete caissons, each about 30 metres in diameter and 30 metres high, with most of the structure below the waterline.

“These caissons, filled with sand and reinforced with grout, must all be removed because they obstruct the new quay wall”

Says Davy Kies, Head of Technical Services at Adex Groep.

Operating in the Westerschelde, where tidal differences can reach six metres, adds another layer of complexity. Adex extended booms and spud poles and modernised the pontoon with an automatic levelling system that continuously monitors loads and adjusts trim using pressure sensors. Underwater breaking is handled by an Epiroc HB 7000 supplied by SAES International B.V., configured for work down to 24 metres, while a concrete shear on the Genius crane sizes reinforced concrete into manageable sections for removal.

The Genius crane is a showpiece of circular construction, built largely from reused materials:

“With two joysticks, we cut or vibrate up to 1,000 tons of concrete per day from the old quay wall. After we remove about six meters of height from each caisson, another pontoon-mounted crane clears the debris. Three hours of demolition gives them a full day of cleanup.”

Says Willem van de Nagel, operator and co-developer of the crane.

Demolition extends to around 30 metres below TAW, which makes accurate positioning and repeatable tool control essential. CT Systems supports the work with a GPS-and-laser setup that delivers live data and the operating parameters required for each attachment, helping crews maintain accuracy at depth. Continuity on a marine job like this also depends on fast technical backup: SAES International B.V. provides hydraulic breakers, spare parts and on-call support, with replacement equipment available to limit downtime if a tool issue interrupts production.

Mobilised in Antwerp since August 2023, Adex Groep has scaled up its specialised floating plant and adapted its spread to cope with tidal working windows and a demanding underwater scope. The operation combines heavy demolition, precise positioning and tightly managed logistics into a steady production sequence, reflecting the level of engineering and coordination now expected on large quay wall renewal projects in active ports.

[Job Story] Epiroc HB 7000 Supports 24 m Underwater Quay Wall Demolition at Antwerp’s Europa Terminal published on The HeavyQuip Magazine.