The Beirut Port Authority is upgrading its harbour infrastructure at an estimated cost of $48 million, in a bid to re-establish the Lebanese port as a connection hub between the East and West.

For the project, a fleet of Volvo Construction Equipment (VCE) wheel loaders are being used for loading duties. The expansion started in 1998 and will be completed in three phases by the Phil/Hojgaard/Hourie joint venture; utilising a fleet of VCE wheel loaders delivered by the local distributor J and G Abdelmassih, for a wide range of loading duties.

The capacity of the port's deepest quay, number 16, is to be increased with the quay wall being filled with massive concrete blocks - each weighing approximately 100 tonnes. Built to handle even the largest container vessels, the 15.5-m deep by 600-m long quay will be equipped with mobile cranes to unload ships directly to a 200,000 sq m storage area.

In order to allow larger container ships to use the port, up to 90,000 sq m of the 15.5 m deep basin will be dredged following underwater blasting and rock removal.

Immediately behind the quay, a Volvo L180C wheel loader, equipped with a 4.6 cu m bucket, is being used to move filling materials. Its air-conditioned cab is able to ensure a comfortable working environment for the operator in the hot and dusty environment.

During Phase 2, a breakwater will be built to protect Quay 16, using 2 million tonnes of rock extracted from nearby quarries. At one, the Sibline Quarry, a second Volvo L180C -fitted with a 4.2 cu m spade nose bucket - is loading 20 cu m and 40 cu m with in-fill material; which is then transported to the Port of Jieh, some 20 km south of Beirut.

Two Volvo L330C loaders are also being used to load barges with material for building and strengthening the breakwater. Already, thanks to their agility and strength, the two loaders have each clocked in excess of 4,000 hours and are continuing to prove ideal for this type of application, says VCE.

Powered by a Volvo 503 hp diesel engine, the 48-tonne class loader meets; a gross torque of 2370 Nm to ensure a tipping load of up to 36,050 kg and a breakout force of 499.7 kN when fitted with a standard boom.

According to J and G Abdelmassih, the four Volvo loaders have all performed well. "Both the operators and contractors are extremely satisfied," says Michel Abdelmassih.

The local distributor is also responsible for undertaking regular routine maintenance on the four loaders.