UKD was established in 1996 as a division of ABP. Its two main centres of operation - on Britain's east and west coasts - are overseen by the General Manager and based in 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.

Modern vessels equipped with the latest satellite-position fixing and dredge-monitoring equipment allow UKD to provide efficient solutions to customers' dredging requirements. 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.

UKD is also supported by ABP Marine Environmental Research, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ABP.