Aberdeen dredging under way
In July, Aberdeen Harbour Board awarded a £5.2 million contract involving major improvements to the port entrance and for widening and deepening the navigation channel, writes David Foxwell.
Harbour Board chief executive, Colin Parker said that, once completed, the work will benefit the port’s customers and should enable it to become involved in new markets such as offshore wind turbine deployment.
The contract – awarded to the Westminster Dredging Company – will involve a combination of dredging techniques and has been commissioned to ensure the harbour continues to meet the needs of future users, with larger vessels now becoming an increasingly regular fixture at the port.
The deeper entrance to the port should also assist in addressing the occasional disruption to traffic movements during periods of easterly gales.
The design, nature and timing of the works have evolved in full consultation with a wide cross-section of stakeholder groups to minimise potential disruption and the project has been licensed by Marine Scotland.
Aberdeen City Council’s director of enterprise planning and infrastructure, Gordon McIntosh, described the contract as “a significant investment” that was “hugely positive for the city of Aberdeen as a whole.” Once completed, he said, it will enable the port to support larger projects both on land and offshore.
The project has now commenced with an anticipated completion by early October.
By David Foxwell
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