Development Proposals within the Port of Southampton

Associated British Ports (ABP) Southampton is proposing to undertake two major projects to ensure that the Port of Southampton remains competitive and successful as a major port into the future.

Deepening of Southampton Main Navigation Channel


The first of these projects is a capital dredge to improve the navigational accessibility to the Port of Southampton. The proposal, which is referred to as the Southampton Approach Channel Dredge (SACD), involves selective deepening and widening of the navigation channel at various locations through Southampton Water and the Solent and comprises two components:

  • The deepening and widening of the main navigational approach channel to the Port of Southampton; and
  • The disposal of the estimated 11.6 million m³ of dredged material at the Nab Disposal Ground to the east of the Isle of Wight.  A potential beneficial use for beach recharge at Hurst Spit has been identified by the Environment Agency and New Forest District Council and is currently being assessed.   

A deepened and widened channel will provide a number of benefits:-

  1. Improvement of the tidal access window for deeper draughted vessels reducing the competition for movement over high water periods and reducing congestion in the approaches to the Port;
  2. Increased ability for vessels to pass in the channel;
  3. Ability to handle larger vessels at the Port; and
  4. Enhancement of navigational safety.

Please Click Here to view a diagram showing the extent of Dredge Proposal
Areas of red indicate widening, areas of green indicate deepening

Deepening of 201 and 202 Berths

The second proposal is to strengthen and deepen part of the existing quay in the Western Docks fronting the container terminal to enable the Port to accommodate the current generation of large container vessels at their loaded draught. This proposal will involve:

  • Deepening the berthing pockets of Berths 201 and 202 from present depths of between 10.2 and 12.2m below Chart Datum to 16m below Chart Datum;
  • The reconstruction of the quay wall between 3 and 5m seaward of the existing alignment to enable the deeper berth pocket to be dredged; and
  • The disposal of the dredge arisings (estimated at 185,000m³) at the Nab Disposal Ground, unless a beneficial use can be found.

Subject to approvals it is proposed to undertake the works between July 2010 and September 2011.

Please Cick Here to view a diagram showing the extent of the Proposed Works at 201 / 202 berths
Location of Berths 201 and 202 shown in blue

The increase in the length of container ships has meant that the remaining deep-sea berths at the container terminal (Berths 204 to 207) cannot accommodate four large vessels simultaneously. This has increased the number and severity of ship berthing delays. By combining Berths 201 and 202 to provide over 500m of quay with 16m of water depth alongside, the effective capacity of Southampton’s container terminal will be restored to accommodate four large vessels. This in turn will mean that there will be minimum delays waiting for an empty berth.

Each proposal has been subject to an extensive environmental impact assessment, which is summarised in an Environment Statement. 

Click here for the Non Technical Summary for the Southampton Approach Channel Dredge.
Click here for the Non Technical Summary for the redevelopment of Berths 201 and 202.


[Please be aware that these are large documents and may take a while to download.  You will need Adobe Acrobat to read these documents.]

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Approach

The applications for both projects have been submitted to Defra’s Marine and Fisheries Agency (MFA) now the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) for consideration and are accopmanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment, which will be reviewed by the MFA to determine whether the requirements of the European EIA Directive (85/337/EEC as amended), as implemented under the Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007, are satisfied.

The EIAs are supported by information to describe the existing (baseline) conditions and predicted impacts for each application and summarised in the Environmental Statements. The Environmental Statements draw upon scientific understanding based on experience of similar projects, as well as ABP’s specific knowledge of Southampton Water from previous assessments and monitoring programmes. They have also been informed by the results of an initial Environmental Scoping Workshop held by ABP on 18th January 2007 and subsequent consultation with key stakeholders.

Contact Details

For further information, please contact the Development Office on 023 8048 8800 or write to Associated British Ports, Ocean Gate, Atlantic Way, Southampton, SO14 3QN.