Scope
Reference
INF-SOT-25/1549
Description
Associated British Ports (ABP) is the UK's largest ports group with 21 ports across the UK, providing essential gateways for trade and enabling the green infrastructure essential for the UK's energy transition. ABP directly employs over 2,400 individuals across the UK and handle approximately a quarter of the country's seaborne trade. The Port of Southampton is largest UK export port and a critical gateway handling container, automotive, cruise, and bulks.
ABP is looking to appoint a suitably qualified Principal Contractor to provide capital dredging services for proposed channel deepening works at the Port of Southampton and in the Nab Deep Water Channel. The works involve dredging for disposal at sea, and the relevant enabling activities including mitigation measures for the risk of marine UXO. The works will include dredging adjacent to an operational quay wall and in areas with buried pipelines for which the Contractor will be required to have the appropriate plant and equipment, and proven experience of similar scale works. The works are to be planned by the Contractor to avoid disruption to Port navigation traffic and quayside operations.
A Competitive Flexible Procedure will be issued, with the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) due to be released to the market in mid-January 2026. This notice services to notify the market of this upcoming procurement.
Total value (estimated)
- £0 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 31 October 2026 to 31 July 2027
- 9 months, 1 day
Main procurement category
Works
CPV classifications
- 45252124 - Dredging and pumping works
Contract locations
- UKJ32 - Southampton
Submission
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
6 February 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
30 April 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Simple description | The award criteria is likely to be assessed as 60% Commercial and 40% Technical. This approach is subject to change. |
Price |
Weighting description
The award criteria is likely to be assessed as 60% Commercial and 40% Technical. This approach is subject to change.
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Utilities
Competitive flexible procedure description
On 21st December 2025 , ABP published a UK3 Planned Procurement Notice (Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-085346) detailing an upcoming Competitive Flexible Procedure for The Provision of Dredging Services at the Port of Southampton.
This UK4 Tender Notice highlights the launch of the Competitive Flexible Procedure for the above services. This Competitive Flexible Procedure is a two-stage process, starting with the Conditions of Participation Stage, followed by the Invitation to Tender stage. The first stage will be live until 06th February 2026 at 12:00 midday.
Associated British Ports (ABP) is the UK's largest ports group with 21 ports across the UK, providing essential gateways for trade and enabling the green infrastructure essential for the UK's energy transition. ABP directly employs over 2,400 individuals across the UK and handle approximately a quarter of the country's seaborne trade. The Port of Southampton is largest UK export port and a critical gateway handling container, automotive, cruise, and bulks.
ABP is looking to appoint a suitably qualified Principal Contractor to provide capital dredging services for proposed channel deepening works at the Port of Southampton and in the Nab Deep Water Channel. The works involve dredging for disposal at sea, and the relevant enabling activities including mitigation measures for the risk of marine UXO. The works will include dredging adjacent to an operational quay wall and in areas with buried pipelines for which the Contractor will be required to have the appropriate plant and equipment, and proven experience of similar scale works. The works are to be planned by the Contractor to avoid disruption to Port navigation traffic and quayside operations.
Contracting authority
ASSOCIATED BRITISH PORTS
- Companies House: ZC000195
25 Bedford Street
London
WC2E 9ES
United Kingdom
Contact name: Alex Samociuk
Email: procurement@abports.co.uk
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Private utility