Aberdeen Harbour Board has awarded two contracts for rock removal and revetment work for the Aberdeen South Harbour expansion project to Van Oord. Last week Van Oord’s backhoe Razende Bol joined backhoe Goliath at the project site in Scotland.

Expansion of Aberdeen Harbour by Van Oord in full swing

The Harbour expansion project is the largest marine infrastructure project underway in the United Kingdom. After completion it will open significant opportunities for the region, in both new and existing international markets.

“We are pleased to announce the award of these contracts to Van Oord, who have been heavily involved in the South Harbour expansion project for several years. It is an amazing sight to see one of the world’s largest dredgers working on our project.” - Michelle Handforth, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Harbour Board.

The profile work for the harbour basin and the shore protection is expected to be completed in time for the coming winter. Part of the work will be executed by the Goliath, which has been deployed on large-scale port expansion projects around the world. The Razende Bol is a well-known guest in the United Kingdom’s coastal waters. The backhoe has worked on several outfall projects over the years, recently at Withernsea, fifty kilometres north of Hull. The backhoes are accompanied by 3 split hopper barges. 

"The expansion of Aberdeen Harbour is a significant project for Scotland, and we are proud to continue our involvement, having been part of the project since 2017. We look forward to working towards the completion of the expansion, utilising our world-class equipment, international experience and Marine ingenuity" - Joost van Duinen, Van Oord’s Project Manager