The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has awarded a £31 million harbour dredging contract to Boskalis Westminster.

Boskalis will dredge the approach channel of Portsmouth Harbour and the inner harbour area along with the berth pocket.

The works are due to the new Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) aircraft carriers being significantly larger than any vessel that currently uses the harbour.

Approximately 3 million cubic metres of clay, sand and gravel will be removed.

-- Advertisement --

The four to five mile long approach channel will be deepened and widened over an eight month period.

Boskalis will use trailing suction hopper dredgers and backhoe dredgers, carrying out work to ensure it meets stringent environmental requirements.

DIO Project Manager Paul Simmonds said: "Along with the £51 million jetty upgrade works we announced earlier this year, provision of high voltage power for the ships when berthed, installation of navigational aids within the channel and the design and production of QEC specific gangways, this contract forms part of a £100 million investment to transform Portsmouth Harbour into a state of the art home for HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales."

Works are scheduled to begin in late autumn and will be completed by summer 2016.

(LM)