From soft sediment to solid rock: deepening Lerwick Port for the future

Dredging in hard rocky seabeds presents some of the most demanding challenges in marine engineering. At Lerwick Port in Scotland’s Shetland Islands, an extensive deepening project is underway to prepare the port for larger passenger, fishing, and offshore vessels.

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17 september 2025   |   09:23   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. Boskalis

Boskalis Westminster is executing the works with a combination of specialized equipment. In the initial phase, the trailing suction hopper dredger Shoalway removed more than 150,000 m³ of relatively soft material. The next stage deployed the large backhoe dredger Magnor, supported by the pusher tug Union Onyx and the barge Terraferre for efficient transport and disposal of dredged material.

The upcoming phase will involve drilling targeted holes into sections of the exposed rock, followed by the controlled use of explosives. This will fragment the seabed into smaller pieces that can then be removed by smaller backhoe dredgers.

Throughout the project, strict environmental measures are in place to protect local marine ecosystems and ensure that dredging operations proceed responsibly.

The Lerwick project showcases a multi-phase, highly specialized approach to dredging in challenging geological conditions, enabling the port to strengthen its role as a key hub in the North Sea region.

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