14th February 2025
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO), which reports to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), has paused Hull City Council’s license application to remove 3,500 cubic meters of silt from the River Hull. This crucial step is part of the regeneration plans for the North End Shipyard and the creation of a new home for the Arctic Corsair trawler.
Hull City Council applied for the license in October 2023, aiming to install a new 50-tonne dock gate and assist in berthing the 693-tonne trawler at her new location.
Despite the council following advice on methodology, the MMO has paused the application to assess the composition of the dredged material and has since advised on the necessary disposal arrangements.
This has led to a delay in the project and added to the overall costs. Hull City Council, alongside maritime consultants, is working quickly to provide the MMO with the additional technical information required.
Gillian Osgerby, the council’s interim assistant director of major projects and infrastructure, said: “Hull City Council has applied to the Maritime Management Organisation for a licence to remove 3,500 cubic metres of silt from the river Hull.
“This is to enable the installation of a new dock gate at the North End Shipyard and increase the navigable area of the channel to assist in the dry-docking process.
“However, the MMO has paused the application whilst it assessed the composition of dredged material and has since advised on the necessary disposal arrangements.
“As a consequence, the council is responding to the MMO’s enquiries and requests for additional technical information which will be submitted to the MMO for consideration.
“These ongoing discussions have led to a delay in the programme which is not of the council’s making and will impact the delivery time of the project and add to the cost.
“We remain committed to resolving this as quickly as possible and will proceed once an approval solution is found.”
The regeneration of North End Shipyard is part of Hull Maritime, funded by Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund to protect, celebrate and showcase Hull’s rich maritime history.
