Shoreham Port launches ‘UK’s largest living seawall’
Southwick Reef living seawall. Image courtesy of Shoreham Port
Shoreham Port has launched Southwick Reef, described as the UK’s largest living seawall, along the Harbour Arm in Southwick, on the UK south coast.
The project uses specially designed modular panels from Living Seawalls to replicate natural marine habitats, helping to support biodiversity and strengthen conservation efforts along the harbour wall.
In the UK and Ireland, the panels are made from recycled marine-grade concrete from pontoon manufacturer Inland and Coastal Marina Systems (ICMS).
The physical structure of Southwick Reef incorporates three habitat enhancement components: Vertipools, Reef Cubes and habitat panels. These features are installed along the Harbour Arm to increase habitat complexity within the intertidal and subtidal zones.
Before construction, two ecological baseline studies were conducted in 2025 to establish the site’s existing biodiversity levels. Surveys undertaken with the Shoresearch team from Sussex Wildlife Trust recorded more than 90 species across rock armour, sheet piling and beach habitats.
Ongoing assessment of the project includes ecological monitoring and analysis of social impacts. A full-time PhD researcher from the University of Brighton is also attached to the programme to conduct research, including monitoring biodiversity above and below the tidal range using camera systems, environmental DNA sampling, and established survey methods, alongside work examining public perceptions and the social value associated with marine enhancement projects.
Tom Willis, chief executive at Shoreham Port, commented, “We are thrilled to have brought together such an inspiring group of local organisations to deliver this collaborative project. Southwick Reef underscores our shared ambition to enhance the marine environment whilst fostering greater community engagement in conservation and sustainability. We hope that Southwick Reef provides a further reason for people to visit the area, an attraction for parents and children to explore and a place to get students engaged in marine conservation”.
Southwick Reef has been delivered through a collaboration involving Adur and Worthing Councils, Brighton and Hove City Council, Sussex Bay, Sussex Dolphin Project and the University of Brighton.
“We hope this will be a great learning experience that influences future marine construction to boost biodiversity,” says Brian Rousell, Shoreham Port’s director of engineering and IT. “The learning from this project will have repercussions for generations and can inspire everyone to understand and enhance our marine environment. There’s no reason why industry and wildlife can’t coexist for the benefit of all.”
In addition to research activity, the reef is designed to support educational use, including school visits, guided tours and the potential development of citizen science initiatives.
More than 400 members of the public attended the launch, alongside representatives from local authorities, academic institutions, media and other stakeholders.
The launch forms part of Shoreham Port’s wider sustainability programme, including Sustainability Week, scheduled for 22-29 June 2026.
