Gladstone Docks, Liverpool

Acting as Principal Contractor, Slipform Engineering successfully delivered the construction of four 11,000-tonne reinforced concrete cement silos at Gladstone Docks, Liverpool, under challenging operational and environmental conditions.

The project scope encompassed the full design and planning process, site establishment, enabling works, deep excavations, piling mat installation, removal of historical obstructions, and management of all specialist subcontractors, including piling, groundworks, M&E works and complex lifting operations. As part of the early works, comprehensive dock wall assessments and UXO surveys were undertaken to facilitate safe project delivery.

The construction phase included the installation of 350 foundation piles, reinforced concrete foundations for both the silos and tower cranes, followed by the Slipforming of four 20-metre diameter silos to a height of 41.83 metres. Associated works included roof construction and waterproofing, internal fit-out, access infrastructure, and ancillary concrete structures.

Throughout the project, over 3,000 tonnes of reinforcement were installed and in excess of 14,000m³ of concrete was placed. An expanded scope of works also included the construction of warehousing facilities, permanent structural steel access stairs and bridges, a reinforced dockside unloader slab, discharge pipework, and the installation of more than 2.2 kilometres of underground services and drainage to support the mechanical and electrical infrastructure.

The project was completed with full site resurfacing, road markings, testing and commissioning,culminating in the successful handover of the facility in June 2026.