A £40M DREDGING project to make the port of Southampton capable of handling the world’s biggest ships has been completed.

The scheme saw a programme of capital dredging to deepen and widen the approach channel linking international shipping lanes to the port. It will mean that super-sized ships with a draught of up to 15.5m will be able to access the port’s container terminal.

The completion comes eight months after the £100m SCT 5 berth was opened by Olympic sailing legend Sir Ben Ainslie and a month after terminal operator DP World Southampton was named Global Port Operator of the Year in industry awards.

As part of the project, dredgers removed five million cubic metres of material and tried to find alternative uses for it, with 20 per cent being used in the construction of the new breakwater in Cowes Harbour or placed in an existing licensed aggregate site for future re-use.

As well as deepening the approach to the port, dredging at Marchwood and near Fawley has improved navigational safety and the ability of vessels to pass in the channel.

Nick Ridehalgh, director of Associated British Ports in Southampton, said: “I am proud to say that the port of Southampton remains able to handle any container vessel currently afloat and under construction.

“It is hugely important for our future that we are able to say this. As the trend in shipping is for ever larger vessels, it is vital if Southampton wants to remain at the forefront of the industry that the port ensures its facilities adapt to handle them.

“The success of the port is central to the economy of the city and the region, with the port of Southampton supporting around 15,000 jobs and generating around £1 billion for the economy.”