WORKS to begin a project worth £120million, which will deepen Harwich Harbour to make room for mega ships, will begin this week.

Harwich Haven Authority awarded the multi-million pound contract to a joint venture of Dutch dredging contractors, who will begin work “on or around” Thursday.

The nationally significant improvement project, costing an estimated £120million, will be privately financed by the Harwich Haven Authority.

It will see the approach channel and inner Harbour deepened to a depth of 16 metres from its current depth of 14.5 metres.

Read more:

The project will ensure the port will continue to cope with the increasing numbers of supersized container ships in operation and under construction in the future.

Mariners have now been requested to keep clear of the equipment and the site of the placement works ahead of the project’s commencement.

Neil Glendinning, chief executive officer of Harwich Haven Authority, said: “It’s a hugely significant project, not just for Haven port operators but for the wider UK economy.

“More than 40 per cent of the UK’s containerised goods arrive in the Haven each year.

“It’s a vital trade gateway and our investment will ensure it continues to compete with other European ports.”

“On or around” Thursday, the dredger will commence dredging the main channel.

The material will be disposed of to two disposal schemes, one at the northern end of Horsey Island, Hamford Water and to four separate sites in Mersea harbour.

The aim of the scheme is to place sand and gravel within the area between the beach and the old lighters.

Work at Horsey Island will take about five weeks, after which disposals will move to Mersea.