CHEC advances Simandou Port construction through wet season

China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) undertakes ground improvement works for the Simandou Port in Guinea. The project mobilized on-site in July 2024 after receiving the pre-award notice.

The Government of Guinea required 30 percent of ground improvement in Zone 3B to be completed by Nov 30, 2024. Sustained heavy rainfall during the rainy season turned the site into mud, trapping heavy dynamic compaction machinery and stone hauling trucks and halting construction.

The contractor laid a one-meter-thick layer of rock fill across work zones and access roads to boost bearing capacity, enabling equipment to operate. With this measure, the team hit the milestone 12 days ahead of schedule, earning recognition from the Guinean government and the client.

A new rainy season began in July 2025. The project targets 90 percent completion of ground improvement by April 2026 and full handover by Dec 15, 2026, with nonstop rainy-season work.

Teams deployed site-specific solutions: steel plates for cement mixing pile zones, alternating excavation, rock placement in Zone 3C, and rock access roads at spoil areas to maintain transport. The work is progressing as scheduled.

China Harbour Engineering Company undertakes ground improvement works for the Simandou Port in Guinea. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Simandou Port project progresses as scheduled. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]