Case study: Helping 3MB Improve Bollard Cleaning with Laser Cleaning at Associated British Ports (ABP) Southampton

Maintaining marine infrastructure comes with unique challenges, especially when safety, efficiency and environmental impact are all in play. While working at ABP in Southampton, 3MB approached us to explore new ways of cleaning and preparing bollards for routine structural testing.

The Problem

The existing surface preparation process was slow, disruptive and far from ideal. Traditional methods like grinding, shot blasting, or chemical stripping were time-consuming, risky for operators, damaging to the bollard surface and raised serious environmental concerns.

Bollards require annual ultrasonic thickness testing to ensure they’re structurally sound. Before testing, the surface must be cleaned, removing protective coatings and corrosion underneath. Traditionally, this is done using mechanical or chemical means, but the drawbacks are clear:

• Long setup and clean-up times
• Risk of damaging the bollard surface
• Environmental concerns from toxic chemicals and airborne debris
• Health and safety issues, including noise, vibration and PPE requirements

In short, the process was time-consuming, disruptive and carried risks for both people and the environment.

The Solution

3MB wanted a better way and that’s where we came in.

We introduced them to a laser cleaning system that could tackle the corrosion and coating removal with minimal disruption. We took the equipment on-site to ABP Southampton, carried out a live demonstration and even trained 3MB’s operators on the day.

Within 10-30 minutes, they were confidently using the laser equipment themselves.

Key benefits of laser cleaning:

• Removes only the corrosion and coating, not the surface metal
• No toxic chemicals or harsh materials involved
• Minimal setup and clean-up
• Quiet operation with no vibration, fumes or secondary waste
• Compact footprint – requires only a small, contained work area

The Results

The impact was immediate. Compared to the traditional method, the laser cleaning process proved significantly faster, cleaner and more efficient.

Time saved

• Setup time cut from several hours to just 15 minutes
• Full cleaning process reduced from a full eight-hour day to under four hours
• 3MB cleaned two bollards in a single day, something that would’ve taken up to two days before

Environmental and safety improvements

• Zero chemical use, no risk to marine life or operators
• No noise or vibration – safe for users, and no disruption to surrounding teams
• Small work zone – no need to cordon off large areas

Operational efficiency

• No extra equipment like diesel generators or compressors
• Just one operator required, with minimal supervision
• Superior surface finish ready for repainting or coating

The Conclusion

Thanks to our hands-on support and the effectiveness of the laser system, 3MB is now planning to create a dedicated laser cleaning team. The move means they’ll reduce delays, cut environmental impact and improve safety, all while achieving a better result.

Key Benefits:

• Over 50% reduction in cleaning time
• Cleaner, quieter and safer process
• No damage to the bollard surface
• Ready for future scaling across other projects

Interested in seeing how laser cleaning could work for you?

Whether you’re maintaining critical infrastructure or looking to modernise your cleaning process, we’re here to help. Get in touch with our team to book a live demo or chat through your requirements.