The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has awarded its largest contract in value terms so far for the dredging of the Pacific Sea entrance to this vital world trade waterway, to Belgium's Dredging International for US$177.5 million.
A statement from authorities said that the dredging of the Pacific Sea entrance is essential to provide enough draft and width for today's longer and wider ships to pass through the new locks, which will double the existing capacity of the canal.
"As the third and largest expansion programme contract in terms of volume, geographical spread and price awarded to date, the selection of Dredging International is a critical next step in the creation of the new lane," said ACP executive vice president of engineering and programme management Jorge Quijano.
The dredging of the Pacific Sea entrance is expected to begin during the third quarter to widen the canal's 14-kilometre channels to a minimum of 218 metres and deepen them to a maximum depth of 15.5 metres.
Dredging International landed the deal after putting in a bid that was far below those of two other firms vying for the project.
Dredging International was also involved in the construction of Port 2000 in Le Havre, France and for the deepening of the navigation channels at Rio de la Plata located on the Argentina and Uruguay border.
A statement from authorities said that the dredging of the Pacific Sea entrance is essential to provide enough draft and width for today's longer and wider ships to pass through the new locks, which will double the existing capacity of the canal.
"As the third and largest expansion programme contract in terms of volume, geographical spread and price awarded to date, the selection of Dredging International is a critical next step in the creation of the new lane," said ACP executive vice president of engineering and programme management Jorge Quijano.
The dredging of the Pacific Sea entrance is expected to begin during the third quarter to widen the canal's 14-kilometre channels to a minimum of 218 metres and deepen them to a maximum depth of 15.5 metres.
Dredging International landed the deal after putting in a bid that was far below those of two other firms vying for the project.
Dredging International was also involved in the construction of Port 2000 in Le Havre, France and for the deepening of the navigation channels at Rio de la Plata located on the Argentina and Uruguay border.