The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has signed a US$11.2 million contract with Boskalis CPG Inc. for major dredging works along a section of the Demerara River aimed at improving navigation and boosting efficiency within the maritime sector.
The contract, signed Tuesday under the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, will see dredging carried out along the Demerara Channel from Houston to Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar said the project comes after discussions with stakeholders in the shipping industry who highlighted the need for additional dredging along the river.
According to the ministry, the works will cover approximately 9 kilometres of the navigational channel and will be dredged to a width of 100 metres and a depth of five metres.
The project is expected to be completed within two months.
The ministry said the dredging exercise will improve access for shipping vessels traversing the Demerara Channel and support the smoother movement of goods and services. It added that the works are also expected to improve port efficiency and strengthen operations within Guyana’s maritime sector.
Permanent Secretary Vishal Ambedkar, along with senior officials from MARAD and representatives of Boskalis CPG Inc., witnessed the signing of the contract.
