Three million cubic metres of clay, sand and gravel will be removed from the Portsmouth Harbour. Boskalis Westminster will dredge the approach channel, inner harbour area and berth pocket, making them deep and wide enough for the new Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) aircraft carriers.
Dredging works are planned to start in late autumn, using trailing suction hopper dredgers and backhoe dredgers. Work is due to be complete by summer 2016.
Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) project manager Paul Simmonds said: 鈥淭his is a good example of DIO delivering for defence. DIO is delivering vital infrastructure to prepare for the arrival of the Queen Elizabeth Carriers in Portsmouth. This work helps provide the armed forces with the capabilities they need to maintain Britain鈥檚 security in an ever changing world.鈥
鈥淒IO has worked closely with our Royal Navy customers to ensure this work will be carried out in the most cost effective way, taking into account the local marine environment, without impacting on the existing operations at HMNB Portsmouth.鈥
鈥淎long with the 拢51m jetty upgrade works we announced earlier this year [awarded to VolkerStevin, ], 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 拢100m investment to transform Portsmouth Harbour into a state of the art home for HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.鈥
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