Maritime and Coastal

With our wide-ranging list of clients we understand and are able to advise on all the issues which face owners, operators and developers of marine facilities. Our dedicated engineers have extensive expertise, including:

• Bridge foundations
• Coastal defences and flood protection
• Diving services
• Dredging and reclamation
• Historic character harbours: regeneration
• Marina developments
• Marine asset management
• Marine structural condition surveys and repairs
• Maritime heritage
• Naval dockyards
• Offshore structures
• Port and harbour developments
• Shipbuilding, repair yards and facilities
• Shoreline management planning
• Waterfront developments

Gifford deploys the appropriate range of skills needed at each stage of a project, from surveys and investigations through masterplanning, concept and feasibility assessment through to detailed planning, procurement, project management and contract supervision.

And, because Gifford is an inter-disciplinary consultancy, the marine team works closely with colleagues to provide an holistic service encompassing geotechnical investigations and engineering, highways and bridges engineering, transport planning, mechanical and electrical engineering and expertise on maritime heritage and historic structures.

We also have a network of colleagues in related consultancies whose expertise can be drawn on for particular projects, such as:

• Architecture
• Cargo handling equipment
• Economic and business studies
• Hydraulic modelling
• Landscape design
• Marine project cost management
• Naval architecture and shipbuilding
• Port management and operations

We are a best-practice consultancy. We aim to produce designs of a high quality consistent with the objectives and standards required  which are appropriate, buildable, robust, economic and sustainable.

Shipyards and Dockyards

Gifford undertakes masterplanning and design for new facilities and modernisation of existing facilities together with our associated consultants in shipbuilding and related disciplines.

• Civil and infrastructure works design
• Industrial and office buildings
• Industrial services design
• Investigations, repairs and improvements
• Masterplanning, concept and feasibility studies
• Tender, procurement and contract supervision

Marinas and Waterfront Developments

The regeneration of existing harbours is often the key to promoting the development and prosperity of the surrounding areas.

This may require the restoration of the historic character of the waterfront, whilst introducing new residential, commercial or amenity facilities. This requires a thorough understanding of the historical context and of the economic and maritime environments which create both engineering constraints and opportunities.

Gifford provides and manages specialist studies and services to plan and design schemes which integrate engineering technology with the human and natural environment.

Marina developments require careful planning and design, which takes account of the projected market, the marine environment, practical matters of operation and maintenance, and proper integration with landside developments and infrastructure.

Coastal defence and flood protection

Approaches to the provision of coastal defence and flood protection have changed radically in recent years, due both to greater understanding of the interaction of particular defence works with the wider coastal environment, and to greater recognition of the defence role that natural features such as beaches can provide. Whilst traditional forms of defence are often still required to “hold the line” against flooding, storm waves or erosion, they may be components of a broader strategy that encompasses enhancement of nature conservation, coastal heritage, coastal developments, infrastructure and amenities.

Gifford provides services ranging from strategic level consultancy (shoreline management planning) to detailed design and contract supervision of coastal schemes.

• A sustainable approach to the selection of engineering solutions and materials
• Associated environmental studies, EIAs
• Coastal process and sediment transport studies
• Coastal zone management: assessment of  human and natural environment issues to create sustainable solutions
• Flood risk assessment
• Planning, assessment and design of coastal defence systems using appropriate balance of hard and soft engineering techniques

Marine condition surveys and assessments

Services include:

• Assessment of strength and stability
• Condition survey report
• Corrosion assessment
• Diver inspection
• Load bearing capacity assessment
• Options and feasibility for repair, strengthening or change of use

Capabilities include:

• Coastal engineering
• Container terminals and ports
• Cruise terminals
• Engineer divers
• Floating structures
• Harbour engineering
• Inspection and rehabilitation
• Liquid and dry-bulk terminals
• Marina design
• River engineering
• Ro-ro ferry terminals
• Shipyard modernisation
• Shoreline management plans
• Statutory processes assistance
• Waterfront development
• Waterways engineering

Featured capabilities:

• Diving services
• Marine asset management
• Maritime heritage