Dredging In The Thames: Much More Than Just Digging A Hole In A River.

The bathymetry of the River Thames is constantly changing and evolving due to the flow of the river, weather conditions and tidal cycles. As most of the upper tidal reaches are visited by hundreds of passenger, leisure and dry bulk vessels each day, it is paramount that the Thames’ navigable channel and serviceable berths have sufficient depth to ensure their safe travel and berthing.

Though many of the active berths and most of the navigable channel along the tidal Thames are self-scouring, some existing berths require regular maintenance dredging to maintain the desired depth of water while new berths may require capital dredging works. Dredging works are therefore critical to maintaining a safe, navigable river.

Before any dredging works are undertaken however, a thorough consent and licensing process takes place involving discussion and collaboration with the Port of London Authority, Marine Management Organisation and Environment Agency. In many cases these processes are further complicated by the industrial past of the Thames and a site’s proximity to infrastructure of national significance. Even for an experienced Marine Consultant it is often complicated and unclear.

Marine Consultants Beckett Rankine and Thames-based dredging contractor GPS Marine, will present a synopsis of the consent and licensing process for dredging works on the Thames, outline the main dredging methodologies, discuss the key constraints and licensing considerations relating to both the design and construction of dredging works as well as offer insight into Thames dredging project experience.

The presentation will be followed by a networking session with refreshments sponsored by Beckett Rankine.