Marine aggregate dredging affects less than 1 per cent of the UK’s territorial waters – yet provides 20 per cent of the sand and gravel we need in England and Wales. The industry’s output is equivalent to approximately 50 quarries which would otherwise be needed on land. The fact that dredgers can deliver close to the heart of urban areas or direct to coast protection and beach replenishment projects removes many thousands of lorry journeys from our roads. Here, we quote some of the key facts and figures about marine aggregate dredging.

Key facts:

• The industry operates 28 purpose built marine aggregate dredgers with a total replacement value of £1 billion.
• The industry directly employs some 640 staff, 500 of which crew the fleet of aggregate dredgers.
• Marine sand and gravel is dredged from 70 production licence areas located off the coast of England and Wales.
• Marine sand and gravel is delivered to over 60 specialised marine aggregate wharves in England and Wales for use by the construction industry.
• Marine sand and gravel is also delivered to wharves on mainland Europe, where it is used by the construction industry.
• Large volumes of marine sand and gravel are increasingly being used for coast protection purposes, through beach nourishment. A typical dredger will deliver the equivalent of 250, 20-tonne lorry loads.
• Dredgers deliver into major urban areas or direct to beach replenishment projects.
• Around 18,000 tonnes (900 lorry loads) of marine aggregate is delivered every day to Thameside wharves.

Key statistics: (All figures shown relate to 2006)

Aggregate market in Britain

Sand & gravel market in Britain