UK port berth development

The development will see the existing deep water berth (DWB) replaced with a new, extended berth, together with an additional 74 metres of solid quay face at the primary cruise berth, the outer coaling pier (OCP).

Ian McQuade, Portland Port’s commercial general manager said that the development would 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,” he said.

“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,” he added.

The new DWB will have 250 metres of solid berth face, a suite of new 150t bollards and 12 metres of draught. The OCP will be extended to produce a 250m solid berth face with 11 metres of draught alongside. Overall the project will deliver 16,000m² of additional quayside space and be capable of handling two 350 metre cruise ships alongside at the same time.

The works are being undertaken by Knights Brown (managing contractor), Ramboll (principal designer) and Red 7 Marine (piling works) with support from local contractors, Barrett Electrical, D&M Groundworks, ESG Trading, Pipefix and Quest Marine.

The piling works are due to start at the beginning of October with both the OCP and DWB being fully operational by 1 May 2023.