Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) has reported that its on schedule to complete its seven-year project to expand for deep-water port services in January 2018.
The biggest new port development on the UK south coast will offer longer and deeper facilities so PHC can compete across a much wider range of shipping and marine activities.
Construction of the new South Quay, the first phase of its US$13.2 million masterplan, required 1,700 tons of steel piles and 150,000 cubic metres of sand material.
BAM Nuttall, one of the UK’s leading civil engineering companies, is the main expansion contractor to oversee the project.
Once finished, the 200-metre-long by 40-metre-wide quay will be over nine metres in depth and able to berth vessels that are up to 200 metres in length, increasing the port's capacity for conventional cargoes.
With a focus on the developing shipping market, target areas include cruise liners, yacht transfer vessels, bulk cargo, project cargo and short sea container lines.
Learn about how Brexit is influencing immigration and trade in the 'Brexit’s Impact on Customs Regulation' technical paper by Daniel Martin, Partner, Holman Fenwick Willan
Jim Stewart, PHC’s Chief Executive, said: “We are very pleased to be nearing completion on this exciting first phase of Poole Harbour Commissioner’s masterplan for the port.
“Progress has been well managed and serves as a testament to the skilled contractors involved.
“This expansion is essential to competing on a grander shipping scale and opens the doors to a greater variety of customers coming to Poole Harbour in the future.
“Response has been very positive so far. We are confident Poole will become a key port for cruise companies in the coming years.”
