New Xbloc project, in Poti, Georgia

Gouda, the Netherlands, 27 April 2006 - Delta Marine Consultants bv (DMC) has granted the contractor Boskalis International BV a licence for the application of the Xbloc armour unit for the rehabilitation of the breakwater of Port of Poti in Georgia, Asia Minor. The existing breakwater has a length of 1700 m and is currently protected by an armour layer of concrete cubes. The rehabilitation of the first section of the breakwater, for which 2 m3 Xbloc armour units will be applied, will be executed in the coming 18 months.

This innovative concrete interlocking armour unit, designed to protect breakwaters and shores, has been developed by a team of coastal engineers of DMC and was introduced in September 2003. The first Xbloc project was realised in 2004, and currently three projects are under construction.

The Xbloc has a high hydraulic stability and compared to other reputable single-layer armour units, an improved structural integrity. In addition, the Xbloc offers high cost savings as a result of lower concrete use and straight forward positioning requirements. The Xbloc was tested extensively at various hydraulic laboratories such as Delft Hydraulics and Delft University in the Netherlands, Danish Hydraulic Institute in Denmark, CSIR in South Africa, Queens University in Northern Ireland and WRL in Australia, all with positive results. Xbloc is a registered trademark.

Delta Marine Consultants offers consultancy, project management and engineering design services to clients world-wide. DMC, which exists for more than 25 years, has extensive experience in the areas of coastal & river, port & harbour, offshore, infrastructure and industry.


For more information:

Rona Kousoureta, BAM Civiel Public Relations, telephone (+ 31) 182 59 06 37, e-mail r.kousoureta@bamciviel.nl