4 October 2023 (Lloyd's List) - FELIXSTOWE, the UK’s largest container facility, has used the inaugural call of the eponymous 24,188 teu OOCL Felixstowe (IMO: 9922512) to celebrate the completion of a dredging and deepening project at the port.
The depth of the approach channel has been increased from 14.5 metres to 16 metres and Berths 8 and 9 increased from 16 metres to 18 metres below chart datum, the Hutchison-owned terminal said in a statement.
“The completion of this major dredging project reinforces Felixstowe’s position as one of Europe’s leading ports for the latest generation of mega vessels,” Felixstowe chief operating officer Robert Ashton said.
“It provides levels of access that are unequalled anywhere else in the UK. The dredge increases the maximum size of vessel we can handle, the berthing windows for the biggest vessels and the number of ultra-large vessels that can enter or leave the port on each high tide. Most importantly, it provides more flexibility and certainty of service for our customers in an industry where delays can be costly.”
The port’s berths 6 and 7 were upgraded in 2022 to provide four berths capable of handling vessels of over 20,000 teu.
The main navigation channel is managed by Harwich Haven Authority, which appointed a joint venture of Dutch dredging contractors Royal Boskalis Westminster and Van Oord to undertake the £130m ($158m) project.
“The project to deepen the approach channel has been a significant financial investment by the authority to ensure this vital UK gateway remains competitive and further safeguards the UK’s position as a major trading nation,” said Harwich chief executive Sara West.
“The increased depth of the navigation channel together with the additional deep-water berths provides a compelling proposition for existing and future customers using the Port of Felixstowe.”
The project was not without incident, however. Last April a sinkhole appeared at Berth 6 that was linked to the dredging work.
Felixstowe will be hoping the increased draught in the channel and alongside will help boost its fortunes after it saw volumes slide in 2022.
