Port of Southampton completes channel widening programme

The Port of Southampton has completed a significant navigation channel widening programme in the Western Docks which enables the largest container vessels to pass the biggest cruise ships berthed at the port.

Managed by Associates British Ports (ABP) Southampton’s engineering and marine teams, the works spanned two years and involved the removal of 900,000 m³ of predominately clay based material over a two km stretch of the channel, widening it by 30 – 65 m.

Steve Masters, Southampton harbour master, said: “The container vessels coming into Southampton are the largest in the world, carrying up to 24,000 containers.