Maintenance dredging operations can form a significant proportion of a ports total ongoing operating costs and in some cases it is the highest single item of port expenditure. Like most decisions made by any commercial organisation the decision whether or not maintenance dredging should be undertaken by equipment owned, operated, manned and maintained directly by the port (referred to as 'in-house dredging') or by engaging specialist dredging contractors to undertake the task (referred to as 'contract dredging') is primarily an economic one, however there are other factors that should also be taken into consideration. Direct comparison between the benefits and disadvantages of in-house maintenance dredging and contract maintenance dredging to undertake what is essentially the same task is not always straightforward. The final decision can only be made after a thorough evaluation of all the factors involved and how these factors combine to produce the most economically advantageous solution for each situation.
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