Dredging for Offshore Berths

The design of new offshore berths is considered, where a balance between the length of the jetty and the extent of dredging needs to be determined. When all factors associated with maintenance dredging are taken into account, increasing jetty length to minimise or avoid capital dredging is often the best solution. Where dredging cannot be avoided, the mechanisms available to the designer to minimise and control the maintenance dredging requirements are discussed. Recommendations are made for greater use of exposed offshore berths and realistic assessment of future vessel sizes.