Red Funnel has applied for licences for the construction of the new lay-by berth in East Cowes, reports the Cowes Harbor Commission (CHC).
According to the report, this application, submitted to CHC by Ramboll on behalf of the Red Funnel Group, seeks to secure consent to complete dredging and construction work to establish the new lay-by berth for the planned Red Funnel freight only service.
The freight ferry is due to enter service in early 2019, and will be in addition to the existing car ferry service that the applicant currently operates.
The project includes the construction of four main berthing dolphin structures, and further protection structures to prevent the freight ferry overrunning and causing damage to the existing dock infrastructure, said CHC.
CHC also added that dredging of a maximum of 5000m³ will be required to allow the freight ferry to enter the berth at all states of the tide. Dredging to a maximum depth of 1m will be undertaken by back-hoe dredge method in order to minimize sediment re-suspension.
Relevant consent applications are in progress with The Crown Estate and the Environment Agency. A Marine Licence has been applied for from the Marine Management Organisation for all (construction and disposal) works required.