Associated British Ports (ABP) has started dredging the outer harbour and channel approaches at the port of Lowestoft as it progresses with the development of the Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility (LEEF).
LEEF represents a significant investment by ABP as it aims to meet the current and future demands of the offshore energy industry.
The dredge, totalling 170,000 cu m, will create minimum depth berth pockets of 7.5 m. This depth will mean Lowestoft is able to accommodate the next generation of offshore support vessels, which ABP said is a crucial step towards transforming the port into an offshore energy hub.
The whole dredging operations is due to complete in August 2024. David Baskin, senior contracts manager at McLaughlin & Harvey, the contracted construction firm for LEEF, said that having already completed marine piling and tie rod installation, works are on track to complete by September 2024.
