The Ferrovial BEMO JV has reached a major milestone in UK infrastructure with the launch of Europe’s largest diameter Vertical Shaft Sinking Machine (VSM) at Tilbury, Essex.
The machine is named “Verena” in honour of Verena Holmes, the pioneering British mechanical engineer and first female member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. The launch marks a significant step forward in the delivery of National Grid’s Grain to Tilbury project, part of The Great Grid Upgrade, the most extensive overhaul of the UK electricity network in generations.
“Launching Europe’s largest diameter Vertical Shaft Sinking Machine at Tilbury is a milestone achievement for our team and for UK infrastructure. This technology allows us to deliver the Grain to Tilbury project with enhanced safety, efficiency, and environmental performance. We’re proud to be working in partnership with National Grid and Herrenknecht to bring this pioneering solution to life, helping to future-proof the electricity network for generations to come,” commented Borja Trashorras, Project Director at Ferrovial BEMO JV.
The Grain to Tilbury project will replace the existing 1960s Thames Cable Tunnel between Tilbury and Gravesend, which has reached the end of its operational life. This upgrade is critical to enabling the transmission of cleaner energy across the country, powering homes, transport, and industry for decades to come.
Ferrovial BEMO JV is delivering the construction of a 2.2km-long high-voltage (400kV) cable tunnel, deploying the VSM designed and built by Herrenknecht AG. With an internal diameter of 15 metres, this is the largest VSM ever used in Europe and the largest Herrenknecht has supplied globally. The machine will excavate shafts to depths of over 48 metres, starting at Tilbury before moving to Gravesend.
Unlike traditional shaft construction methods, the VSM operates in a slurry environment, precisely balancing slurry levels with groundwater to prevent water inflow and ensure safe, efficient progress through challenging geology. This approach delivers enhanced safety, speed, and environmental performance, setting a new benchmark for UK shaft construction.
About Ferrovial
Ferrovial is one of the world’s leading infrastructure companies. The Company operates in more than 15 countries and has a workforce of over 25,500 worldwide. Ferrovial is triple listed on Euronext Amsterdam, the Spanish Stock Exchanges and Nasdaq and is a member of Spain’s blue-chip IBEX 35 index. It is also included in globally recognised sustainability indices such as the Dow Jones Best in Class Index (former Dow Jones Sustainability Index) and strives to conduct all its operations in compliance with the principles of the UN Global Compact, which the Company adopted in 2002.
