PORR enters UK market with Humber pipeline project
Construction company PORR AG is part of a joint venture with Skanska and A.Hak awarded the contract to design and construct a gas pipeline under the Humber River in the UK.
Austrian construction company PORR AG is expanding into the United Kingdom by participating in a significant infrastructure project. The company is part of a joint venture with Skanska UK and A.Hak that has won National Grid's tender to construct a high-pressure gas pipeline under the Humber River.
The project involves replacing the current pipeline located in the riverbed with a new, 42-inch steel pipe running through a 5-kilometer-long tunnel. The total cost for the three-year construction period is estimated at approximately GBP 150 million (EUR 186 million). The contract is, however, contingent upon regulatory approval, which is expected in September 2016.
PORR AG CEO Karl-Heinz Strauss emphasized the contract's significance as a new entry into the UK market. The joint venture strategy aims to combine international expertise with local knowledge from partners, facilitating success in new and attractive markets.
According to National Grid, the project will be the world's longest single-pass gas pipeline installed in a tunnel. The company selected contractor partners based on their strong references and expertise, which were crucial for working in an area with heavy river traffic and an ecologically sensitive environment.