Sector · Ports & Marine Construction
Ports & Marine Construction
Ageing port infrastructure requires regular, robust condition monitoring. ScanSustain delivers diverless ROV inspection, sonar and survey of quay walls, dolphins, sheet piles and locks — audit-grade, reproducible, without operational downtime.
Typical inspection objects
- Quay walls and bank reinforcements — Full-length condition assessment detecting scour, cracks, joint openings and biofouling. Continuous video documentation provides a traceable record for maintenance planning and regulatory reporting.
- Dolphins and fenders — Inspection for corrosion, tilting, material loss and structural integrity. Regular checks prevent unexpected failures during ongoing port operations.
- Sheet pile walls — Documentation of perforations, deformation and interlock condition. ROV footage enables precise localisation of weak points for targeted repair measures.
- Lock facilities — Inspection of chamber walls, sills and gate seats during operation or restricted service. Results support maintenance scheduling without requiring full dewatering.
- Intake structures and culverts — Assessment for sediment build-up, debris and structural damage. ROV access eliminates the need for confined-space diver entry.
Matching ScanSustain services
For port and marine construction projects we typically combine several services into a single mission. The individual building blocks:
Advantages over diver deployment
| Criterion |
ROV inspection |
Diver deployment |
| Port operations |
✓ No downtime required |
Closures and operational disruption |
| Documentation |
✓ Continuous video/photo record |
Verbal protocol, limited |
| Deployment time |
✓ 2–6 hours for typical structures |
1–2 days including setup |
| Safety |
✓ No personnel risk underwater |
Dive safety regulations required |
| Repeatability |
✓ Identical routes for monitoring |
Difficult to compare |
Read the full comparison →
Case study: Quay wall and dolphin inspection
Ports & Marine Construction
Upper Austria
Quay wall and dolphin inspection — port facility
Situation: A port operator required a condition assessment of 3 dolphins and approximately 120 m of quay wall as a basis for maintenance planning. Previous diver operations were costly and produced only verbal protocols.
Approach: ROV inspection with HD camera and lighting. Systematic coverage of all structures with video recording. Targeted stills at damage and biofouling zones.
Result: Structured findings report with image references, damage classification and recommended actions. Handover to the planning engineering firm within 3 working days.
Duration: 4 hours
Documented: 120 m quay wall + 3 dolphins
Dives avoided: 6
More case studies →
Frequently asked questions
Does port operation need to stop for an inspection?
No. ROV inspections can be conducted during normal operations. No closures, crane restrictions or vessel traffic limitations are required.
What documentation do I receive?
Video (HD/4K), georeferenced stills, damage classification and a structured findings report — directly usable by engineering firms and authorities.
Can heavily fouled structures be inspected?
Yes. Biofouling is documented and can be factored into the assessment. If needed, a targeted diver deployment for cleaning can be planned based on ROV findings.
How often should a port inspection take place?
Depends on structure type and age. Typical intervals: every 3–5 years for quay walls, more frequently after flood events or when damage is known. For reproducible time series we offer monitoring programmes.
