The Port Authority of Gioia Tauro in Italy has awarded Spanish contractor Dravo a contract for channel dredging works under a €5 million (US$5.6 million) project.
The dredging will bring the southern turning basin and Eranova quay depth to 17 metres, while depths across the channel will range from 17 to 19 metres.
The authority said the works will maintain access and safe manoeuvring for vessels exceeding 400 metres in length and 64 metres in beam and with capacities above 24,000 TEUs.
A trailing suction hopper dredger is specified for the work, with 60 days allowed under the contract from the formal handover of the works. The plan also calls for some dredged sediment to be reused in a submerged barrier about 350 metres long near the shore.
Further shore-power works have been entrusted to a temporary consortium of Saet and Suardi. They include a substation and second supply cabin, with an initial investment of €30 million (US$34 million) that the authority said could be extended to €70 million (US$80 million).
The authority is also proceeding with another shore power connection to complete the first lot. The East Quay is due to have five outlets: three from the first lot and two associated with the second intervention.
The first lot provided outlets along 900 metres of quay. The next intervention covers a further 600 metres, bringing the total electrified quay length to 1.5 kilometres.
The authority also opened a 45-day consultation in September with shipowners, terminal operators, energy-sector stakeholders and public bodies ahead of tendering the management of the shore-power service.
