Purpose

The port of Ramsgate requires a single dredging campaign with an estimated value of £362k. To do this an increase in budget is required from that originally proposed for the 2024/25 maintenance dredging plan.

Decision

Cabinet approved:

1. The key decision to order works with the marine contractor Van Oord for hydrodynamic dredging with a value in excess of £250k. This work will be undertaken via an existing 4+1 year maintenance dredging term contract that was awarded to Van Oord in June 2021;
2. A one-off General Fund revenue budget virement from the Corporate Contingency budget, to fund the estimated maintenance dredging budget overspend of £152k in the 2024/25 financial year.

Reasons for the decision

The port of Ramsgate requires a single dredging campaign with an estimated value of £362k to ensure the port remains fully operational for the current largest vessel that arrives at the port.

Alternative options considered

An alternative lower cost option was considered which would be dredge to less depth in less space. This option would have improved access but is not the optimal option. There would be a far greater risk of needing further dredging later in the year, resulting in a higher cost overall at year end than indicated in the recommended option.