Klaipeda seaport authority received six tenders for an open procedure "Capital Dredging and Widening Works of Klaipeda State Seaport Navigation Channel", as the authority announced BC. The open procedure was announced on May 18, 2011. The tenders were submitted by foreign companies.

The project "Capital Dredging and Widening of Port Navigation Channel" is of vital importance to Klaipeda Port, as its representatives stated. In course of implementation of the project the width of the port will increase up to 150 meters from current 120 meters, and the depth relevantly will increase up to 14.5 meters as compared to present 13-13.5 meters.

Hence, the safety of gross tonnage vessel entering and leaving the Port and harbor manoeuvring will enhance in line with increased competitiveness of the port and its cargo handling capacity comparing to neighboring ports.

Such Port Navigation Channel parameters will result into favorable conditions to receive longer and wider postpanamax type vessels, the length of which reach up to 300-310 meters, and the width is nearly up to 40 meters.

Having signed the contract agreement on the capital dredging and widening of Klaipeda State Seaport navigation channel the winner of this open procedure shall execute all works within the period of 12 months (from the day of the contract – agreement has been concluded).

The intended volume of dredged soil in the I stage of works is 3 859 800 m3. The anticipated amount of excavated boulders in diameter from 0,8 to 1,5 metres is 440 units, the amount of boulders larger than 1,5 metres in diameter is 57 units.

The intended volume of dredged soil in the II stage of works is 655 200 m3 and the anticipated amount of excavated boulders in diameter from 0,8 to 1,5 metres is 50 units, the amount of boulders larger than 1,5 metres in diameter is 8 units.

The implementation of the project is envisaged in 2011-2012 using EU assistance funds (under the instrument No. VP2-5.2-SM-01 V of EU structural assistance priority 5 „Development of Trans – European Transport Network“).

Source: http://www.baltic-course.com