Boskalis Completes Capital Dredging Programme at Scotland’s Lerwick Harbour

Boskalis Westminster has completed capital dredging at Lerwick Harbour in Shetland, Scotland, concluding Lerwick Port Authority’s multi-phase £25 million ($33.7 million) harbour improvement programme.

The works deepened and widened the North Ness Channel to a specified width of 130 metres and depth of 10 metres. They also provided a continuous 10-metre berth depth along the 275-metre Mair’s Pier and deepened the approaches to Gremista Quay.

The original programme specified depths of 14.5 metres alongside the quay at Dales Voe and 16 metres in its approaches.

The final phase began at Dales Voe on June 8 and later moved to Gremista Basin and the North Ness Channel, with the fleet working around the clock.

Drill barge Rock Mate and backhoe dredger Manu Pekka carried out the work. Workboat Jenny D and cargo vessel Shetland Trader provided support. Backhoe dredger Odin arrived at the end of July to lift rock, assisted by hopper barges George and Hans.

The Shetland Times reported that Odin departed last Thursday, with Rock Mate towed away on Saturday. Auxiliary vessels will leave once the remaining contract matters are settled.

“We’ve improved access for cruise ships, but quite a lot of the investment is around fishing and aquaculture. We’re also seeing larger energy-related vessels coming,” port authority chief executive Calum Grains told BBC Radio Shetland.

The authority had expected completion in October.