Annual dredging at Aberdeen Harbour completed
Aberdeen Harbour Board has completed its annual dredging programme despite the impacts of COVID-19 and challenging weather conditions.
Yearly dredging is required to maintain essential water depth in North Harbour.
More than 54,000 cubic meters (in-situ volume) of material has been dredged from the Harbour since mid-March, allowing vessels to sail in and out of the Harbour safely.
Three specialised vessels have been used to undertake the work: UKD’s trailing suction dredger UKD Marlin, and bed-levelling vessel UKD Seahorse, and the Harbour’s own hydrographic surveying vessel, the Sea Herald.
Scott Buchan, the Harbour’s Hydrographic Surveyor, said:
“It’s particularly important for us to keep Aberdeen Harbour fully operational at this time. The port is a gateway to lifeline supplies of fuel, foodstuffs and equipment which is being transferred across the region and to those living and working in the Northern Isles and offshore. We are pleased that, despite the current circumstances, we have achieved our full dredging programme. While we dredge at the Harbour throughout the year, the annual dredging programme is one of a port authority’s most important duties, and this is especially true this year.”
Michelle Handforth, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Harbour, added:
“The completion of the dredging programme is one of the many examples of the dedication and professionalism of our Harbour employees, port users and customers, who are going beyond the call to ensure vital supplies can be distributed around the region to all who need them.”
