SEASEAL – A NEW SWEDISH INNOVATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE WORLD’S PORTS

Coastal cities around the world are threatened by recurrent
flooding due to the rising sea levels. Within some
few hours billions in damage can be the result of the
”storm surge” that accompanies many storms.
That was what happened when Katrina hit New
Orleans and when Sandy struck New York. But also
ports in other continents are affected, among those the
Swedish towns of Gothenburg and Uddevalla.
There are solutions, with giant sluice gates that close
off the harbour entrance before the water rises, but
such are terribly expensive.
Gothenburg has estimated the costs for such a solution
to more than 1 billion EUR.
But now a cheaper solution is in sight. By using a
purpose designed ship as a sluice gate the mechanical
gates can be spared, which means a significant cost
reduction. When a storm is approaching the ship heads
for the harbour entrance and is submerged onto a
sill on the sea floor. After the storm surge has passed
the ship is again pumped dry and can return to its ordinary
quay berth.
However, the main cost reduction is that the ship can
be used for other purposes during the perhaps 364
days a year when there is no risk that a storm surge will
come. With the square metre prices applicable to the
central parts of a port city the major part of the
costs for the ship can be covered by rental incomes
from on board restaurants, cafes, car parkings, gyms
etc.
The concept Seaseal has been developed and patented
by Sigurd Melin. He is the father of the Boxwall
and the Tubewall, mobile flood barriers that are now
sold internationally by the company NOAQ.
Uddevalla is one of the cities that is already repeatedly
flooded by storm surges. The city has therefore
decided to investigate the Seaseal concept and has
now been granted 60 000 EUR from the EU programme
Leader Södra Bohuslän for a feasibility study. See www.
leadersodrabohuslan.se/godkant_projekt/seaseal.