Biennial maintenance dredging begins at Port Taranaki

The dredger Albatros will return to Port Taranaki this week to carry out biennial maintenance dredging of the shipping channel.

The removal of sand and sediment buildup, which is driven into the port by the predominant current and wave action that hits the Main Breakwater, ensures the shipping channel and berth pockets remain clear and safe for trade.

Albatros will begin work on Monday, January 9. The campaign is scheduled to run for six to eight weeks.

Port Taranaki general manager of infrastructure John Maxwell said a hydrographic survey would be completed before the start of the dredging campaign to establish the areas of focus.

“We expect a maximum of about 400,000 cubic metres of material will be removed during the campaign,” Mr Maxwell said.

Albatros will operate during daylight hours, seven days a week. The captured material will be dropped at sites within Port Taranaki’s consented areas.

“The offshore area is about two kilometres out from the port, and the inshore area is along the coast, about 900 metres off the Todd Energy Aquatic Centre,” added Mr Maxwell. “Following research several years ago, the inshore area was specifically chosen to help replenish the sand on the city’s beaches.”

During the campaign, the dredger will be visible inside the harbour in the operational area and close to the Main Breakwater. Mr Maxwell asked that recreational and commercial fishermen, kayakers, yachties, and other water users to keep clear.

Albatros is a trailing suction hopper dredger owned and operated by Dutch Dredging.

Last August, Albatros carried out a further short dredging campaign at Port Taranaki after a survey detected abnormal amounts of sand and sediment had been pushed into the harbour from severe storms and other weather events earlier in the year.