UKD was established in 1996 as a division of Associated British Ports. UKD vessels operate around the UK and near continent with operations overseen from UKD's head office in Cardiff. UKD is backed by the financial strength of ABP, the UK's largest and leading ports group, handling about a quarter of the country's seaborne trade. This strength has allowed UKD to maintain a programme of continued capital investment. UKD's experience has evolved from the teams responsible for the majority of the maintenance dredging at Britain's ports since the 19th century. At one time, most ports had a dedicated dredger or fleet of dredgers to carry out the work required. Over the years, rationalisation and modernisation have created a sophisticated fleet of trailer suction and grab dredgers, using the latest technology to dredge millions of cubic metres of material each year, while having regard for the fragile marine environment.
