At Sonils Harbour in Luanda, a concrete caisson that had been submerged for decades had become a navigation risk for commercial vessel movements. Conventional demolition was constrained by underwater access and the need for a controlled method.
The intervention
Solvocore adapted diamond wire cutting technology for submerged conditions. Concrete anchor blocks were placed from the surface using a mobile crane and used to support a pulley network that guided the wire saw through horizontal and vertical cutting planes.
Key site constraints
- Low underwater visibility for the diving team.
- Floating debris repeatedly interfering with the wire.
- Complex caisson geometry requiring a controlled cutting sequence.
- Real-time coordination between surface operations and divers.
Outcome
The caisson was progressively segmented into retrievable sections. The operation reduced the harbour obstruction and supported safer navigation while demonstrating how conventional specialist equipment can be adapted to unusual engineering environments.
Project visual is an illustrative technical diagram. Project facts are condensed from Solvocore’s published case material.