Posted on September 5, 2022
Portland Port is embarking on its largest improvement project to date, investing £26m in a major berth development.
The development will see the existing Deep Water Berth (DWB) removed, and replaced with a brand new, extended berth. In addition, the works will deliver a 74mtr extension to the solid quay face of its current primary cruise berth, the Outer Coaling Pier (OCP).
Two 350mtr long cruise ships
The outcome of the development works at the south UK coast port, and Cruise Britian member, will be a brand new DWB with a 250mtr solid berth face, including a suite of new 150ton bollards and with 12mtr water depth alongside, capable of handling cruise ships up to 350mtr long.
In addition, OCP will be extended to produce a 250mtr solid berth face with 11mtr water depth alongside.
Overall the project will deliver 16,000sq mtr of additional quayside space and be capable of handling two 350mtr LOA cruise ships alongside at the same time.
Prep works underway
Knights Brown is the managing contractor with Ramboll undertaking the design work as principal designer. The piling works has been awarded to Red 7 Marine.
The preparatory works are already underway and, once complete, the development will have used 380,000 tonnes of locally sourced infill material and 4,800 tonnes of steel.
The piling works are due to commence at the beginning of October with the both OCP and DWB being fully operational by May 1, 2023.
The initial surface finish of the quayside will be temporary but heavy duty, to allow for settling, with final surfacing works due to take place between October 2023 and February 2024.
Ian McQuade, Portland Port’s commercial general manager said that ‘this development will provide a major and significant enhancement to the port’s capabilities. The new facilities will enable Portland Port to keep pace with the increasing demands from our existing cruise and cargo customers whilst offering the opportunity for future growth. The size of vessels calling at Portland over the last number of years has continued to grow and this investment will enable our business to keep ahead of this trend.’
