Port of Aberdeen invests in tug-supported harbour dredging

The contract covers trailing suction hopper dredging and bed levelling operations, ensuring that berths and navigation channels at both harbours are maintained to their required depths for vessels up to 300 m long.

Boskalis’ Freeway trailing suction hopper dredger and MTS Valour, a multipurpose tug for bed levelling, will conduct the 2026 campaign, starting in April.

Port of Aberdeen undertook bathymetric surveys of both harbours earlier this year to calculate dredge volumes and inform the contractor’s programme and cost estimates, repeating this in the weeks before each dredging campaign.

It carries out hydrographic surveys throughout the year to monitor material build-up and safety of navigation into and out of the harbours.

“Storms earlier this year deposited significant volumes of material into the port, and our survey team has been working hard to assess the impact and prepare for this year’s campaign,” said Port of Aberdeen head of engineering, John Wilson.

“Boskalis knows the port well and we have been working closely with its team to ensure a safe and successful dredge in 2026 and beyond.”