Rion Antirion

2000 - 2004

SMIT HEAVY LIFT Europe provided heavy lift services during the construction of the Rion-Antirion Bridge in Greece (the worlds longest cable-stayed bridge). This marked SMIT’s second phase of involvement; the company was awarded the management contract for the towout and installation of the bridge’s four pier heads during 2000.

The Rion-Antirion Bridge has a five-span suspended deck with a length of 2,250 m. The bridge connects the south west with north west of Greece. It also eases congestion of the region’s ferry services and reduces transit time from 45 minutes to five minutes. 

Under the first bridge contract, awarded in 2000, SMIT was responsible for the marine management during the installation of the four piers. The first pair was installed during 2001 and 2002. The pier heads were fabricated in a two-stage operation at a purpose-built drydock in Antirion. This drydock had two levels, enabling two pier heads to be constructed simultaneously. Once fabrication was completed in the drydock, the 70,000 tonnes pier was towed to the wetdock where 30,000 tonnes of concrete was added. The pier was then towed to the installation area and lowered into position using the tug winches. The final positioning of each pier head was completed within 24 hours.

In the second phase, SMIT commenced the installation of the four bridge pylons and spans in January 2003. The scope of work required the exclusive mobilisation of SMIT’s sheerlegs Taklift 7 and the anchorhandler Zeeleeuw (17 tonnes bollard pull) for 575 days. Taklift 7 was equipped with a jib and a long boom (extending length to 175 m). The additional heavy lift equipment was transported to site by SMIT’s flat top barge Tak 5.

The four pylon heads were part-fabricated and assembled by the sheerlegs at the installation site. The assembly process involved the individual lift and installation of two separate pylon modules, each weighing approximately 150 tonnes. The installation of the top sections of the pylon heads took place 165 m above water level. The bridge deck was fabricated in 12 m sections - each weighing approximately 330 tonnes. The sections were transported to a quay in Antirion and prepared for installation by Taklift 7.