Harwich Port Inspection Facility

R G Carter secured via a two stage tender process, the contract to design and construct a new Secure Inspection Facility at Harwich Port.

The building was commissioned as a result of Brexit and the increased requirements for the inspection of goods entering the UK. This was the second inspection facility delivered for Hutchinson Ports in 2022, following the successful completion of a similar building at Felixstowe Port.

The site was located on reclaimed land which required extensive site investigation and interpretation to establish the most suitable method of stabilisation, comprising of a 600mm cement bound stabilised capping. This was site batched, utilising as raised material from the reduced
level dig.

The building comprised a 2700m2 steel framed building on piled foundations, with twelve dock levellers. Each bay within the building is temperature controlled to maintain ambient, chilled or frozen temperatures dependent on the goods being inspected by DEFRA or Border Force. Each bay has separate fridges or freezer rooms for storage and further inspections. Two lower bays allow the inspection of curtain side loads.

The rear of the site comprises of high specification offices and welfare facilities for the Port, DEFRA and Border Force staff. Externally, a 1km access road was constructed together with extensive HGV scanning buildings and lorry park areas.

The building was successfully handed over on time and to budget