In the summer of 2024, Filia Dredging successfully carried out a maintenance dredging campaign in the port of Ventspils with the TSHD Willem Sr!
Filia Dredging mobilised the TSHD Willem Sr from the Netherlands to Latvia immediately after the contract was signed.
At the same time, a plan was drawn up in consultation with the client to carry out the dredging camapgne as efficiently as possible. This characterises the strength of Filia Dredging! Together with the client, we look at each unique situation and in close consultation draw up a plan that all parties involved can support.
After a prosperous voyage, the TSHD Willem Sr arrived in Ventspils and the dredging operations could be started almost immediately. Thanks to the good condition of the equipment, the dredging work was carried out with no delays.
The dredging work consisted of dredging the harbour channel and dredging the harbour along the quays. The relatively large depth, up to 16.1 metres, in the harbour played a major role in the technical aspects of dredging. Caution and skill were required when dredging close to obstacles such as bollards and quays.
Despite these challenges, excellent production could be achieved by the TSHD Willem Sr and its crew! This production and the progress of the work was constantly monitored by Filia Dredging and communicated to the client. Part of this monitoring included interim surveys. This gave all parties involved a lot of insight into the project on the basis of which the plan could be adjusted.
During the conclusion of the dredging campaign, all parties involved showed their flexibility and dedication. Because surveys, survey analysis and the execution of dredging followed each other at lightning speed, even the last shallows were dredged away efficiently without excessive over-depth around these shallows.
The overall project could be completed faster than previously estimated. This benefited the client as it was able to guarantee greater depths in the harbour sooner. The local fauna also benefited from the quick completion because the dredging was completed before the annual fish migration began.
The Freeport of Ventspils is the largest petroleum port in the Baltic states and of great importance to the Latvian economy. Due to its location, it is ice-free port all year round. In addition, the port has a deep approach channel and large depths along quays making it accessible to large deep-draft tankers and other deep-draft vessels all year round.