ABPmer: Dredging Solutions for Grangemouth

Leading UK marine environmental consultancy ABPmer has identified cost effective dredging solutions for the Port of Grangemouth which has experienced increased siltation around the entrance to the impounded port in recent years.

The maintenance of navigable depths in ports, harbors, marinas and shipping channels is a statutory requirement for most harbor authorities. Where sedimentation occurs, maintenance dredging is undertaken to preserve water depths.

ABPmer was contracted by Forth Ports Limited to determine a preferred practical, environmental and cost effective way to manage the present siltation and, therefore, future maintenance dredging requirements.

Peter Whitehead, Associate Marine Scientist at ABPmer, explained: “Using existing data supported by in-house numerical modeling, we developed a conceptual understanding of the physical processes in the area.”

“By combining this with an understanding of the port’s historical dredging campaigns, we developed options to reduce the siltation rates and the Port’s maintenance dredging commitment. This is a win-win scenario as it reduces the costs of future maintenance dredging while also reducing environmental impact.”

ABPmer routinely advises port and harbor authorities on strategies to minimize dredging commitments, based on the detailed knowledge of the interactions between port infrastructure, navigation channels and prevailing estuary processes.

Dr Derek McGlashan, Environment and Energy Manager for Forth Ports said: “We have observed a significant year on year increase in the volume of silt being deposited at Grangemouth since 2009. This led us to select ABPmer to assist us in considering various options to minimize dredging, whilst maintaining the safety of navigation. ABPmer has been flexible in approach and identified practical and efficient options, allowing us to make changes to our approach and monitor the impact on dredge volumes.”

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Press Release, September 10, 2014