Lyttelton Port Company (LPC) said that the hopper dredge Albatros, operated by Dutch Dredging, began dredging last month and will be in the port areas until mid-January.
The dredging locations are the main channel, Cashin Quay pockets and Cruise Berth pockets.
Alistair Boyce , Head of Engineering and Projects, said that they have dredged over 65,000 cubic meters of material so far, adding that “ they expect to dredge about 700,000 cubic meters by the end of the campaign .”
Last year, the Albatros dredged 800,000 cubic meters, an increase linked to Cyclone Gabrielle. Previous years’ volumes have been about 600,000 cubic meters.
Alistair also added that the Inner Harbor will also be dredged during this campaign, and as it has a lower infill rate it is typically only dredged every five years.
LPC’s annual program ensures the main navigation channel and the area’s ships berth and manoeuvre are maintained.