Submerged Quay Repair

Malaga Quay 4 puts 116.25 m3 behind 81.25 m2 of damaged face

Published 15 August 2026 Publisher IMWO Region Europe Confidence Confirmed
Pre-tender close view of a submerged cavity and exposed fill behind the masonry facing of Malaga Port Quay 4

Malaga Port Authority; exact-site condition photograph 5 from the issued 26exma-033 project, not construction-progress evidence

The Quay 4 tender defines seven masonry cavities across 81.25 m2 of visible face and estimates 116.25 m3 of structural concrete behind it. The volume reflects deep losses within the quay core rather than a surface defect. Divers must clean and sound the voids, tie new reinforcement into retained masonry, seal bespoke formwork and pump each cavity from the bottom without washing cement into the harbour.

The issued design turns five condition photographs into seven measured repairs

The PLACSP record provides the live tender, value, dates and price-only competition. Malaga Port Authority's signed design describes the defect mechanism, geometry, materials, sequence, safety and environmental requirements. Its photographs show pre-tender conditions. The quantities are design measurements, not evidence of installed volume, progress or acceptance.

The visible defect understates the fill volume

A quay-wall cavity is controlled by depth, continuity with the retained core and the ability to contain a submerged pour, not by frontage alone. Malaga's largest repair is measured at 20 metres long, two metres high and 1.5 metres deep. Across all seven areas, the temporary works and marine access govern quality: 994.5 kg of anchored steel, one-piece pours, sealed formwork, three fender removals, a support craft and professional diving all have to fit around an operating berth.

Evidence conclusion

Containment and verification will decide the outcome

The project specification is strong enough to define a credible tender baseline: 42.5 metres of combined repair frontage, 81.25 m2 of cleaning and formwork, 116.25 m3 of HA-35/F/20/XS3+SR concrete, 42.5 metres of turbidity curtain and 42.5 metres of R4 transition mortar. Its environmental controls are practical rather than decorative: seal the formwork, adjust concrete volume to the actual void, prevent uncontrolled overflow, contain suspended solids and photograph each stage. The unresolved question is field geometry. Until the contractor completes its pre-start inspection and the owner certifies measured quantities, the seven design volumes should remain estimates rather than installed work.

Outstanding evidence

  • Awarded contractor, price and contract signature
  • Professional-diving team and support-craft appointment
  • Pre-start dimensional survey of all seven cavities
  • Reinforcement drilling, resin anchorage and bar spacing
  • Formwork sealing and concrete-pump sequence
  • Concrete mix, marine exposure class and quality records
  • Turbidity curtain performance and cement-loss controls
  • Fender reinstatement, certified quantities and warranty records

Related records 1

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