TURBIDITY FORECASTING TO SUPPORT ADAPTIVE DREDGING OPERATIONS

The Port of Sohar, located in the Gulf of Oman, is constructing a jetty close to a critical industrial seawater intake. The project includes capital dredging of a navigation channel, turning circle and berth pocket, where turbidity control is essential to protect water supply operations. A pre-tender assessment identified potential exceedance of turbidity limits under unfavourable conditions, leading to strict permit requirements. To address this, a turbidity forecasting model was developed to support daily operational decisions. Using wind, tides, dredging plans and soil properties, the model enabled proactive, adaptive dredging while maintaining compliance and optimising productivity.