Plymouth City Council Plans Harbour Dredging to Welcome Larger, Eco-Friendly Vessels

The project is part of a broader initiative outlined in the Plymouth and South Devon Freeports's Full Business Case to optimize the port for safer navigation of slightly larger vessels.

The council has allocated a government grant of £381,713.32 from the Freeport's Seed Capital programme to the Cattewater Harbour Commissioners to fund the dredging work.

'Greener Fuel Technologies'

Tudor Evans, council leader, highlighted that Cattewater Harbour handles approximately two million tonnes of cargo worth £1 billion annually. "Maritime has been the beating heart of this city for centuries, and to sustain that, we need to ensure we can welcome the ships of the future to Plymouth," said Evans. He described it as an "exciting time" for Plymouth as the shipping industry and more companies are investing in hybrid ships using greener fuel technologies.

Evans noted that ship sizes are increasing, and the new vessels for this trade route are larger. He stressed the importance of staying ahead of this maritime development wave to continue supporting Plymouth's economic growth.

'Significant Change' in Shipping

Captain Richard Allan, CEO and Harbour Master of Cattewater Harbour Commissioners, observed a significant shift in how ships are fuelled, with the market opening to more shipping routes. "New hybrid ships which use greener fuel technologies are already being commissioned by companies," he stated.

Environmental and Economic Benefits

Allan emphasized the necessity of attracting newer, greener ships to Plymouth routes and ensuring they can navigate alongside the wharves. He highlighted the long-term environmental benefits of the project, contributing to the city's goal of achieving net zero emissions. Allan mentioned that new ships would reduce their carbon footprint, cutting down scope three emissions.

Last year, about 50,000 tonnes of cargo had to be transported by road into the city instead of by sea due to insufficient port capacity. The dredging project aims to address this issue, promoting more efficient and sustainable transportation of goods.

By enhancing Cattewater Harbour, Plymouth aims to support its maritime industries and maintain its historical significance as a bustling port city while advancing towards a greener and cleaner future.