Belgian dredging company Jan De Nul's cutter suction dredger (CSD) Fernando de Magallanes has arrived at the Port of Progreso in Yucatán, Mexico, to start work on stage one within phase three of the port's expansion and modernisation project.
The port announced on October 27 that the stage calls for the removal of 3,076,370 cubic metres of material to increase capacity and improve operating conditions.
The third phase covers construction dredging and the creation of a 40-hectare northern platform.
The federal government is responsible for this phase, and procurement is being handled by the Administración del Sistema Portuario Nacional Progreso (ASIPONA Progreso).
In July, ASIPONA Progreso rejected all proposals for an earlier tender covering the northern platform and declared it unsuccessful.
The overall project draws on financial support from federal, state and private sources, totalling MXN7.9 billion ($400 million).
The port's operational space will grow from 36 hectares to 116 hectares, accommodating logistics centres, companies and maritime services.
The Yucatán state government financed the first phase, which involved dredging the navigation channel. That phase was completed on March 19, 2026. Fernando de Magallanes worked at the port during this phase. SSA Marine México carried out the privately funded second phase.