Posted on June 17, 2025
Lerwick Port Authority in Shetland, Scotland, has begun a two-phase capital project to enhance its deep-water capabilities.
Contractor Boskalis Westminster secured the first phase of the contract, valued at approximately £3.2 million. The project is being managed by the Scottish-based firm Arch Henderson.
The dredging is intended to prepare the port for larger vessels and benefit users across the pelagic fishing, cruise, oil and gas, and “renewable energy” sectors. The project involves trailer and backhoe dredging, as well as marine drilling and blasting to remove an expected 450,000 cubic metres of soft seabed material and hard rock.
Work on the initial soft dredge phase began in June and is scheduled for completion in July. A second hard dredge phase will follow, with an expected completion by the end of the year. The trailing suction hopper dredger Shoalway will be used for the first phase, followed by the backhoe dredger Odin.
The project will deepen the central port area and the approaches at Dales Voe. The North Ness channel will be widened and Mair’s Pier dredged to ten metres. At Dales Voe, a quay section will be deepened to 12.5 metres, with final depths reaching 14.5 metres at the quayside and 16 metres in the approaches.
