Major dredging work in Lerwick Harbour set to get underway

A MAJOR dredging project is set to get underway in Lerwick Harbour in a project to enhance Lerwick Port Authority’s (LPA) deep-water capabilities.

The two-phase programme will start this month, with Boskalis Westminster Ltd securing a £3.2 million contract to carry out the first phase of work.

The award follows tendering by project managers Arch Henderson.

LPA said 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.

LPA chief executive Captain Calum Grains said this next dredging development “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 benefitting all port users, particularly the pelagic fishing, cruise, oil and gas and renewables sectors,” he said.

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The North Ness channel will be deepened and widened during the work, which the LPA said would improve navigational margins and access to Mair’s Pier which will be dredged to a continuous 10 metres at the quayside.

Approaches to Gremista Quay will also be deepened, facilitating future developments for the fishing industry.

Starting this month, the initial soft dredge phase is due for completion in July, followed by the second hard dredge phase for completion by the end of 2025.

The future phase of works will see backhoe dredger Odi working alongside a number of support vessels.

Dredging will remove both soft seabed materials and hard rock, with an expected total of 450,000 cubic metres taken to a disposal site north of Bressay.