- ABP receives necessary marine licence for dredging of Southampton Port’s access channel to enable the safe transit of larger ocean carriers
Associated British Ports (ABP) has announced that it has received the necessary marine licence to carry out a key component of its dredging programme in the Port of Southampton to improve marine access for large container vessels.
The removal of 450,000 cubic metres of material at the Marchwood Moorings will widen the navigation channel by 30 metres.
“This is another step to ensure that marine access to all container berths meets the future needs of our customers and maintains the port’s position at the forefront of global trade,” ABP port director Southampton, Doug Morrison.
“The redevelopment of berths 201 and 202 will allow us to handle the largest vessels on order, and the channel-widening works at Marchwood will have the added benefit of ensuring we maintain the highest navigational safety standards in the port.”
In preparation for the dredging project, ABP has been working closely with Marchwood Yacht Club (MYC) to agree suitable new locations for 16 of its 150 moorings in preparation for the dredge.
Preparation works for the dredge have also included the relocation of navigation marks, one of which will be enhanced to support a new weather station and tide gauge to further assist port users.
Preliminary works for the project began last month with the use of UK Dredging’s UKD Bluefin. ABP is currently carrying out monitoring of water turbidity and has also agreed monitoring procedures and a sediment management strategy with the Environment Agency should the need arise.
It is anticipated that a contract for the remainder of the works will be awarded later this month, with the dredging expected to be completed by spring of next year.
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