Facebook Twitter Twitter    Archive | www.aapa-ports.org March 10, 2015
   

Dredging: Georgia, Everglades

Print Print this Article | Send to Colleague

Georgia: Corps of Engineers Awards First Dredging Contract For Savannah Harbor Expansion

Deepening the Savannah harbor to 47 feet can begin following the awarding on March 2 of a $134.5 million construction contract by the Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The contract covers deepening of the outer harbor for 18.5 miles, from approximately Fort Pulaski to the Atlantic Ocean. 

The deepening, officially known as the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, or SHEP, will enable larger container ships to call on Savannah with greater ease, heavier cargoes and fewer tidal restraints than they currently experience. The Corps of Engineers partnered with the State of Georgia for the deepening.

"This award is a very significant part of deepening the Savannah Harbor," said Col. Tom Tickner, Savannah District Commander. "About half of the channel dredging for SHEP is incorporated into this one contract. The 47-foot depth is a forthcoming reality and we are well on our way to putting a critical piece of transportation infrastructure in place that will benefit not only the southeast, but the entire nation."

Dredging the outer harbor is the first step to deepening the entire 40-mile shipping channel and harbor from deep ocean to the Georgia Ports Authority’s Garden City container terminal.

"After 16 years of study, it is gratifying to know that we can now move forward with the deepening of the Savannah River," said Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. "Today's announcement has been made possible, in part, by the state's $266 million investment into the port's expansion. This crucial advancement in our logistics network will aid the prompt delivery of valuable cargo, preserving and creating economic opportunity across Georgia and the Southeast."

"The harbor deepening, which begins in earnest with this contract, supports long-term economic viability and growth for our state and nation," said Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Curtis Foltz. "The 21,000 American businesses that rely on the Port of Savannah are projected to save $174 million a year through increased transportation efficiency. This project will ensure continued world-class service, allowing the Port of Savannah to better handle the larger, latest generation container ships already calling the East Coast."

The deepening brings a net benefit of $174 million each year to U.S. consumers in lower transportation costs and greater efficiencies. Each dollar invested in the SHEP will return $5.50 to the economy.

The construction phase of the SHEP began in January, when divers started recovering material from the CSS Georgia ironclad resting next to the shipping channel near Old Fort Jackson. The outer harbor contract sets overall production goals, but grants the contractor discretion on scheduling, how and when to mobilize, and kinds of equipment to be used. These variables influence when a contractor actually begins dredging.

Port Everglades: Corps Civil Works Review Board Approves Harbor Deepening Feasibility Studies

Port Everglades reached a major milestone in the effort to deepen and widen its navigational channels and turning basin on February 27, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Review Board approved the final environmental and economic feasibility studies for the project.

There will now be a 30-day comment period for oversight agencies, followed by time for the corps to address any questions. The final step in the corps' project approval process is a Chief of Engineers Report recommending the project to Congress for construction authorization. The report is expected this May.

The project will deepen the main navigational channels from 42 to 48 feet (plus 1-foot required and another 1-foot allowable overdepth for a total of 50 feet) and widen the Entrance Channel and the maneuverability constrained Southport Access Channel, including the "knuckle" area between berths 23-26.

The estimated cost of $374 million will be financed entirely from port user fees, federal appropriations and state grants. 
 

Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn