DMC designed the first Costa Norte LNG terminal in Panama

The Costa Norte LNG Terminal in Colón is the first LNG facility to be built in Panama, located near the Caribbean entrance of the Panama Canal. The LNG Terminal development will supply gas for two power blocks of 380 MW each. In October 2016 the main contractor POSCO E&C awarded the design and construct contract of the Marine Civil works to the joint venture of BAM International and ICONSA. Within this joint venture DMC is responsible for the design of the marine facilities, consisting of a jetty for (un)loading LNG vessels.

The jetty design comprises an LNG offloading platform, connected to shore by an approach trestle of 246m long. The unloading platform, accommodating loading arms, pipe racks and other equipment for the LNG offloading, has a footprint of 50x35m. Ten breasting and mooring dolphins ensure safe berthing and mooring of LNG vessels. Catwalks interconnect the unloading platform and dolphins to allow for safe and easy access to the mooring points.

The Colón area is characterized by a high degree of seismic activity.  DMC optimized the design of the LNG jetty by applying smart seismic engineering, which resulted in an economical, safe and easy-to-build concept. Due to the shallow site conditions, the structure is built using an in-house developed launching girder. In combination with the maximum use of precast elements, a high quality design was developed that proved easy and fast to construct.

Design Involvement

Delta Marine Consultants was responsible for the overall design management, all studies to determine the design conditions and for the geotechnical and structural design of the jetty. A BIM model was developed for the entire project, from which all the design drawings were produced. By effective collaboration within the design and construct joint venture, DMC was able to successfully live up to its’ reputation as a proactive engineering company that is embedded in the construction industry.