Key role for ADBP at Port of Waterford

The license application covers a range of areas within the port’s limits, including all inner city marina and berths, Belview Port, the main navigation channels and third party areas such as a power station jetty and minor harbour approaches.

To comply with a variety of European Directives numerous sampling, testing and investigations are underway in support of the application, including: sampling of dredging locations; physical and chemical testing; radiological testing; benthic sampling and testing; turbidity monitoring and assessment; a Natura impact statement for a full appropriate assessment; an alternative dredged material management study; and establishing long-term sedimentation rate to calculate licensed volumes. In conjunction with these tasks previous investigations covering a range of relevant topics have been compiled for inclusion in the application.

The Port of Waterford has primarily used a trailing suction hopper dredger for the past two decades to maintain its advertised depths. Historically, the port dredges the largest quantity of sediment of any port in the Republic of Ireland. Although, there are several environmental and archaeological restrictions within the port’s limits, the dredging is carried out carefully to ensure that any potential negative impact on the local environment is kept to a minimal level.