Plans call for a facility with 1.2 km of quayside and four deepwater berths accommodating next generation container ships of up to 12,000 TEU capacity, with a depth of 16m alongside at all states of the tide. The Port already operates seven deepwater berths capable of accepting vessels up to 6,000 TEU and 14.5m draught in Royal Portbury Dock.

The new facility will enjoy an approach channel dredged to 15m below Chart Datum and over 100 acres of land for container handling and storage.

Ten post-Panamax gantry cranes with a maximum outreach of 67m will help to deliver the anticipated capacity of 1.5m TEU per year.

The scope of works involves the construction of a quay wall in front of the port's foreshore, reclamation of the intertidal area behind to provide the container handling and storage area, and dredging of the area immediately in front of the quay wall to form the berths and turning area.

Separately, the construction will require the deepening of some 11 nautical miles of navigation channel to provide deepwater access to the terminal.

Bristol Port Company has initiated positive discussion with the UK Government's environmental advisor, English Nature, which is establishing a project team to work with the Port in addressing environmental issues.

Bristol Port has been identified in a recent Government study as the fastest growing deepwater port in the UK, benefiting from its location in a major population area near the heart of the country, excellent road and rail links, and close proximity to a natural deepwater navigation channel.

Ongoing investment at the Portbury and Avonmouth dock complexes includes the recent completion of a 50,000ft 2 bulkshed and a new Mannesmann material handling crane at Avonmouth. A new Kalmar post-Panamax gantry crane has been commissioned at Royal Docks.

MJInformation No: 22202