Plans to deepen water in Harwich Harbour given 'green light'
Plans to make the water between Harwich and Felixstowe ports deeper to allow for larger ships in the future have been approved.
Harwich Haven Authority has announced that their licence operation to carry out the major improvement works has been approved by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).
They say the decision follows extensive environmental studies and public consultation with stakeholders who have an interest in the Haven.
They authority describe it as a "significant improvement project" which will be financed privately and ensure that local ports, particularly the Port of Felixstowe, can operate in the increasingly competitive port sector.
They say the deeper water will futureproof access for the growing number of supersize container ships in operation, and accommodate new vessel builds under construction.
They also hope that the improvements will secure future trafe for the local, regional, and national economies and ensure the Haven maintains its role as the UK's premier container hub.
Work on the deepening of the harbour is due to begin next year.
Neil Glendenning, who's the CEO of Harwich Haven Authority, said: "I am delighted that the MMO has granted us the licence to carry out these significant improvements to the Havenâs access channel and harbour.
âThis development is critical to the local, regional and national economies and will deliver to our customers the flexibility of access to the port that they need.
âThe global ports sector is increasingly competitive and will become even more so post Brexit so itâs vital that port operators in the Haven can compete as the growth in the number of mega-sized vessels continues.â