I. Project Overview
In July 2026, we participated in a new offshore terminal construction project in Dili, Timor-Leste, supplying large-diameter steel pipes for the project’s offshore pile foundation work.
The steel pipes for this project came in various wall thicknesses and lengths. In addition to steel pipe production, the project also involved FBE corrosion protection, customer factory acceptance testing, and logistics arrangements—including overland transport from the factory in China to Changshu Port, followed by sea transport to Dili Port.
II. Basic Project Information
| Project | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Location | Dili, Timor-Leste |
| Project Type | Marine Jetty Piling |
| Project Nature | New Construction |
| Application | Marine Jetty Piling |
| Steel Pipe Standard | GB/T 3091-2025 |
| Material Grade | Q235B |
| Corrosion Protection | FBE (Fusion Bonded Epoxy) |
| Coating Thickness | 500 μm |
| Pipe Ends | Beveled Ends |
| Total Quantity | 328 pipes |
| Total Weight | 1,472.06 MT |
III. Project Requirements
Steel pipes are used for the pile foundation work of a new offshore wharf. According to project requirements, the steel pipes are made of Q235B steel in accordance with the GB/T 3091-2025 standard, and different wall thicknesses and lengths are provided based on the specific pile foundation locations.
This project involves two main outer diameters: 813 mm and 508 mm.
The specific specifications are as follows:
| Outside Diameter | Wall Thickness | Length | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 813 mm | 16 mm | 17 m | 84 pipes |
| 813 mm | 16 mm | 11 m | 28 pipes |
| 813 mm | 25 mm | 17 m | 32 pipes |
| 813 mm | 25 mm | 11 m | 16 pipes |
| 813 mm | 19 mm | 17 m | 48 pipes |
| 508 mm | 12 mm | 15 m | 60 pipes |
| 508 mm | 12 mm | 16 m | 60 pipes |
| Total | — | — | 328 pipes |
The ends of the steel pipes shall be machined into beveled ends in accordance with project requirements; there shall be no negative dimensional tolerances.
IV. Corrosion Protection Requirements
Since the steel pipes are used in the pile foundation work for an offshore wharf, the project specifies clear requirements for the external corrosion protection of the steel pipes.
This project employs an FBE (Fusion-Bonded Epoxy) corrosion protection system, with a required coating thickness of ≥500 μm.
After the corrosion protection treatment is completed, the surface of the steel pipes and the coating thickness will be inspected.
V. Production and Dimension Inspection
The main inspection items include:
- Outer diameter
- Wall thickness
- Steel pipe length
- Pipe end bevel
- Appearance
- FBE coating
- Coating thickness
- Product identification
Among these, verifying length and specifications is a critical part of the pre-delivery inspection for this project. Since pipes with the same outer diameter may have different wall thicknesses and lengths, they must be sorted and verified against the specification list prior to shipment.
VI. On-Site Acceptance at the Customer’s Facility
After the steel pipes have been manufactured and treated with a corrosion-resistant coating, the customer visits the factory to conduct an on-site acceptance inspection.
The on-site acceptance inspection includes checks of the steel pipes’ dimensions, length, appearance, and corrosion-resistant coating. Once the inspection is complete, subsequent shipping is arranged based on the final confirmed product quantities and specifications.
This on-site acceptance process also allows both parties to the project to verify the condition of the products before they leave the factory.
VII. Logistics and Transportation
Another key area requiring close coordination for this project is logistics.
The total weight of the 328 steel pipes is 1,472.06 MT, and they include pipes up to 17 m in length. For large-diameter, long-length steel pipes of this type, loading and unloading, overland transportation, and port connections must all be taken into account during the transportation process.
The primary transportation route for this project is as follows:
- Factory → Overland Transport → Changshu Port → Sea Freight → Dili Port
After the client completes acceptance, the manufacturer will pick up the goods, and we will assist in arranging for the steel pipes to be transported by land from the factory to Changshu Port.
Subsequently, the steel pipes will be shipped by sea to Dili Port in East Timor.
VIII. Project Delivery
In total, the following items were supplied for this project:
- 328 steel pipes
- Total weight: 1,472.06 MT
The steel pipes had two outer diameters—813 mm and 508 mm—with wall thicknesses ranging from 12 to 25 mm and lengths ranging from 11 to 17 m. They were made of Q235B steel, conformed to the GB/T 3091-2025 standard, and were treated with FBE corrosion protection in accordance with project requirements, with a coating thickness of ≥500 μm.
IX. Project Highlights
The main tasks involved in this project can be summarized as follows:
- Specification Confirmation → Steel Pipe Production → Dimensional Inspection → FBE Corrosion Protection → Coating Inspection → Customer Factory Acceptance → Overland Transportation → Changshu Port → Sea Freight to Dili Port
For large-volume, large-diameter steel pipe projects, in addition to meeting the product specifications themselves, it is necessary to coordinate the production, acceptance, and transportation phases. The actual delivery process for this project reflects this approach.
