Boskalis 4,500 m³ trailing suction hopper dredger Freeway has arrived at the HMNB Portsmouth and is dredging the channel ahead of the arrival of the Queen Elizabeth Class carriers.
To accommodate their vast size and bow design, over three million cubic meters of clay, sand and gravel will be removed from over two miles of Portsmouth Harbor, covering an area the size of over 200 football pitches.
The £31 million contract was awarded to Boskalis Westminster Ltd. back in June and includes dredging of the approach channel, inner harbor area and berth pocket, making them deep and wide enough for the new Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers.
The dredging project forms just part of the £100 million invested in HM Naval Base Portsmouth to develop the docks and ensure the city is ready to become the base for both HMS Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales, which is also rapidly taking shape in Rosyth.