Dredging Strategy

Boskalis wins £9.2m Navy dredging contract for Plymouth and Portsmouth

Published 14 July 2026 Updated 16 August 2026 Publisher IMWO Region Europe Confidence Confirmed
Aerial view of Portsmouth Naval Base and dockyard in 2005 showing basins, dry docks, naval waterfronts, and the harbour entrance

Royal Navy / LA(PHOT) Paul A'Barrow / MOD, 2005

The Ministry of Defence has awarded Boskalis Westminster a £9.2 million Navy Future Dredging Contract, initially focused on Plymouth and Portsmouth. The notice does not identify the first berth or channel, dredging quantities, required depths, material routes or mobilisation dates.

Published scope and current milestone

The UK6 award notice confirms Boskalis Westminster, a £9.2 million value excluding VAT, Plymouth and Portsmouth as the initial focus, an estimated two-year term, two performance- and need-dependent one-year options, and two assessed tenders. The UK4 tender notice confirms a £16 million estimate, 70% quality and technical weighting, 30% price weighting, and a competitive flexible procedure under the defence and security regime. UK2 and UK3 document the earlier market-engagement and planning sequence. Quantities, port sub-packages, environmental controls, disposal routes, mobilisation, accepted depths and a signed contract are not disclosed.

Dredging quantity and delivery implications

Each campaign must fit around naval movements and security restrictions, control the sediment route and finish with an accepted survey. The two optional one-year extensions depend on contractor performance and continuing operational need, so the first campaigns will affect both port access and the contract's eventual value.

Evidence conclusion

Survey, placement and acceptance evidence

The £16 million tender estimate and £9.2 million award cannot be compared as a saving without the scope, pricing and option documents. A signed-contract notice or UK7 publication should identify the first campaign. Baseline hydrography, plant allocation, operating windows, placement controls and the post-dredge acceptance survey will then show what Boskalis has delivered.

Outstanding evidence

  • Signed-contract or UK7 publication
  • First Plymouth or Portsmouth campaign definition
  • Baseline survey, depth, and acceptance requirements
  • Sediment characterisation and placement route
  • Dredger and support-plant mobilisation
  • Operational-window and security coordination
  • Option-year performance decision

Related records 1

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Related subjects

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