Shetland’s cruise port of Lerwick is embarking on a new capital project in a two-phase programme to enhance the port’s deepwater capabilities.
A contract, valued at around £3.2 mill in its first phase, has been secured by Boskalis Westminster, a global provider of maritime services, including dredging.
The award follows a tendering process led by project managers, Scottish-based Arch Henderson, part of international consulting engineers, Royal HaskoningDHV.
The first phase will be followed by an extended contract, to be formalised in July.
Boskalis undertook a major dredging project in the North Harbour in 2008, which was the catalyst for developments shaping today’s port. The new project will deepen the central area of the port, in addition to areas at Dales Voe.
Port Authority CEO Capt Calum Grains said: “Going ahead with this next dredging project reflects the strength of the Authority‘s position and our confidence in the potential of the port’s diversified activities.
“Dredging will open the door to the next stage of the port’s evolution, attracting future generations of larger vessels and benefiting all port users, particularly the pelagic fishing, cruise, oil & gas and renewables sectors.”
Boskalis Westminster Managing Director, Paul de Jong, added: “It is fantastic to see the impressive developments in the Lerwick Port since our last works here in 2008 and we are proud to be able to return for another project that will allow even more growth.
“Involving trailer dredging, backhoe dredging and marine drilling & blasting, this is a complex project that we look forward to successfully completing for Lerwick Port Authority,” he said.
Starting in June, the initial soft dredge phase is due for completion in July, followed by the second hard dredge phase for completion by year-end.
Dredging will remove both soft seabed materials and hard rock, with an expected total of 450,000 cu m taken to a disposal site north of the island of Bressay.
The North Ness channel will be deepened and widened, improving navigational margins and access to Mair’s Pier which will be dredged to a continuous 10 m at the quayside. Approaches to Gremista Quay will also be deepened, facilitating future developments for the fishing industry.
Dredging includes improving the approaches at Dales Voe and deepening the section of quay completed in 2016 to 12.5 m depth to match the original quay. Final depths next to the quay will increase to 14.5 m and to 16 m in the approaches.
