Floating structures, such as pontoons, jetties, and floating walkways, are revolutionizing infrastructure in water-dominated geographies. Yet, beneath their innovative design lies an essential requirement: regular maintenance to ensure operational safety, longevity, and performance. For organizations like Acqua Infra, Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC) are not just a service—they’re a strategic safeguard for critical infrastructure, especially in flood-prone areas.

Why Maintenance is Critical for Floating Structures

Floating structures are continuously exposed to:

• Harsh weather conditions
  
• Saline or freshwater corrosion
  
• Marine growth (biofouling)
  
• Dynamic water levels and currents
  
• High mechanical load during peak usage

Without proper maintenance, minor defects can quickly escalate into:

• Structural instability
  
• Safety hazards for users
  
• Failure of anchoring systems
  
• Costly emergency repairs or replacements
  
• Downtime of critical operations
  

In regions where floating structures support essential services—like rescue operations, flood management, or community access—their reliability can literally save lives.

Types of Maintenance in Floating Structures

Maintenance for floating pontoons and similar infrastructure falls under four broad categories:

Preventive Maintenance

Regularly scheduled inspections and minor repairs to avoid larger failures. Includes cleaning, lubrication, coating checks, and inspection of joints.

Predictive Maintenance

Use of monitoring technologies (strain gauges, corrosion sensors, ultrasonic testing) to predict component failure before it occurs.

Corrective Maintenance

Reactive maintenance performed after a defect is detected, to restore full operational condition.

Emergency Maintenance

Immediate interventions during unexpected failures or adverse conditions like floods, storms, or anchor drift.

For clients under AMC with AcquaInfra, a hybrid model combining preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance ensures proactive infrastructure management.

Maintaining Anchor Position: The Hidden Backbone

Anchors are critical to the stability of floating structures. Over time, anchor lines and mooring chains are subject to:

• Tension fatigue
  
• Corrosion
  
• Shifting seabed or riverbed conditions
  

Regular maintenance involves:

• Inspection of anchor chains, shackles, and buoys for wear and corrosion
  
• Tightening or repositioning anchors when deviations exceed tolerances
  
• Replacement of worn or corroded mooring lines
  

Anchor failure can result in pontoon displacement, collisions with nearby structures, or complete detachment—a risk that AMC programs mitigate with scheduled checks.

Equipment Maintenance: Keeping Systems Operational

Floating structures often incorporate critical equipment such as:

• Bollards and cleats for mooring
  
• Power supply units
  
• Pumping systems for ballast
  
• Safety equipment like lifebuoys and lighting
  

Equipment maintenance involves:

• Routine lubrication and mechanical checks
  
• Electrical system testing (wiring, insulation, corrosion)
  
• Battery and backup system maintenance
  
• Replacement of damaged or outdated parts
  

AIPL’s AMC plans ensure that every equipment component works seamlessly, even under stress conditions.

Case Study:AIPL holds AMC for the maintenance and operational support of the floating CNG station infrastructure.

Floating CNG Station for GAIL (India) Ltd. – Varanasi

Project Overview

We have successfully designed, supplied, and installed a 324 square meter Floating CNG Station at Namo Ghat, Varanasi, for GAIL (India) Ltd. This floating station has been developed to facilitate the dispensing of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to inland boats operating along the Ganga river. The station was commissioned in December 2021 and marks a significant step toward green energy adoption in inland waterways.

This infrastructure has been developed using our in-house Mild Steel Modular Pontoons and Steel Integrated Floating Jetty (SIFJ) systems. These modular, scalable, and robust platforms are designed to withstand seasonal variations in water levels and provide a stable base for CNG dispensing operations.

Key Components

•     Floating Platform Area: 324 sqm
• Location: Namo Ghat, Varanasi
• Client: GAIL (India) Ltd.
• Date: December 2021
• Core Technologies: Mild Steel Modular Pontoons and Steel Integrated Floating Jetty (SIFJ)
•  Purpose: Dispensing CNG to boats at the ghat

Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC)

We hold a 5-year AMC contract for the maintenance of the floating CNG station infrastructure. The AMC scope includes the following key responsibilities:

•  Deployment of 2 trained mariners for routine inspection, housekeeping, and basic maintenance of the floating jetty.
•  Daily monitoring of the platform for cleanliness, safety, and structural integrity.
•   Mooring system management, including adjustments to ropes and anchors to account for seasonal fluctuations in river water levels.
•    Annual painting and anti-corrosion treatment of the pontoons and steel structures to ensure longevity.
•   Real-time maintenance and repair of any structural or mechanical issues arising in the pontoon or jetty systems.
• Flood-season preparedness, including pre-flood mooring checks, rope tightening, and anchor readjustments.
•   Monthly maintenance reports submitted to the client with photographs and inspection checklists.

 This initiative is a model for sustainable water-based infrastructure and demonstrates the scalability and utility of modular floating solutions in supporting eco-friendly energy distribution on rivers and inland waterways.

Why Choose AMC from AIPL for Floating Structures?

• Reduces total cost of ownership by preventing major breakdowns
• Extends service life of floating structures by 2-3x Ensures compliance with maritime and inland water regulations
• Guarantees readiness of critical infrastructure in emergencies
• Offers peace of mind with expert-led, timely interventions

Conclusion

Investing in an AMC for floating structures isn’t an expense—it’s an assurance of safety, reliability, and performance. With proven expertise in maintaining pontoons and critical floating infrastructure under even the harshest conditions, AIPL’s AMC solutions empower clients to focus on operations while their assets stay protected and functional.

To explore AMC packages tailored for your floating infrastructure needs, visit acquainfra.com or connect with an AIPL representative today.

FAQs

1. What is AIPL’s Acquaworks – Construction Pontoon Series?

Acquaworks is a modular heavy-duty pontoon system designed to convert any waterbody into a safe, stable, and high-performance worksite for cranes, excavators, dredgers, and piling rigs.

2. What makes Acquaworks suitable for heavy-duty marine construction?

It features reinforced interlocking decks, spud wells, winch anchoring, non-slip surfaces, guardrails, and safe crew access.

3. What types of construction operations can be performed?

- Acquaworks Lift – Crane Operations

- Acquaworks Dig/Dredge – Excavation & Dredging

- Acquaworks Pile/Drill – Piling & Drilling

4. What are the typical platform dimensions of  AIPL’s construction pontoons?

Length: 18–30 m, Width: 9–15 m, Depth: 1.2–1.8 m

5. What is the deck load capacity of AIPL’s construction pontoons?

6–8 t/m² across all models.

6. What machine loads can be sustained by  AIPL’s construction pontoons?

- Lift: up to 60 tons

- Dig/Dredge: up to 45 tons

- Pile/Drill: up to 50 tons

7. Are spud systems available at  AIPL’s construction pontoons?

Yes, spud wells/spud-assisted systems are available in all models.

8. What accessories can be integrated in  AIPL’s construction pontoons?

Bollards, winches, guardrails, fenders, gensets, fire extinguishers, propulsion units.

9. What is Acquaworks Lift used for?

Heavy-duty floating crane operations with reinforced deck grillage and wear plates.

10. How does Acquaworks Lift ensure safety?

By using spud anchoring, wear plates, wide access zones, and predictable radius management.

11. What is Acquaworks Dig/Dredge used for?

Water-based excavation and dredging using excavators, suction heads, and slurry pumps.

12. Does Dig/Dredge support environmental compliance?

Yes, it supports silt curtains and debris screens.

13. What is Acquaworks Pile/Drill used for?

Marine piling and drilling with vibro hammers, impact hammers, and rotary rigs.

14. How does Pile/Drill maintain alignment?

Through integrated reaction points, tie-downs, and guide posts.

15. Is Acquaworks easy to transport and install?

Yes, it is modular, transport-friendly, and quick to reconfigure.

16. How is crew safety ensured?

Non-slip decks, guardrails, wide access zones, and organized utilities.

17. Can pontoons be reconfigured?

Yes, they can be adapted for lifting, dredging, or piling operations.

18. What makes Acquaworks better than traditional barges?

Modularity, predictable stability, quick assembly, better safety, and integrated utilities.

19. How is deck organization maintained?

Through integrated trays, clamps, and dedicated utility routes.

20. Can propulsion be added?

Yes, propulsion units can be integrated for maneuvering.

Ready to Safeguard Your Floating Infrastructure?

Partner with AcquaInfra Projects Limited for reliable, expert-led AMC solutions that keep your floating structures safe, compliant, and operational—365 days a year.
👉 Visit acquainfra.com or contact us today to learn more.

About the Author

Mr. Ankit Patel, Director & CEO

• Industrial expertise in Business Development, Operations, Finance & Administration, and Product development.
• Navkriti Medal issued by the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi.
• National Meritorious Innovation Award 2018 by NRDC (A DST Enterprise) presented during the Innovate India conference 2019 at EDII, Ahmedabad.
• Recognised for groundbreaking innovation with patent no. 485553 in the Marine Industry