Rock discovery delays Parham Harbor dredging program

Dredging work at Parham Harbor has been delayed due to unexpected challenges, Antigua News Room said.

Lionel Hurst, Chief of Staff in the Prime Minister’s Office, explained at a Post-Cabinet Press Briefing that rock, rather than the anticipated sand or soft material, was found, complicating the project.

“We heard through the Minister responsible that the dredging at the Parham Harbour has been a challenge. It has been a challenge because they have encountered rock where before we were told there was only sand or some soft material,” said Hurst.

“So, another firm, called Dutch Dredging, has been organized by Blue Ocean to take on some of the dredging where the rock is to be found, they will not only operate the dredging in the Parham Harbor area but will also complete some of the dredging in St. Johns Harbor.”

The dredging project, which began last March, aims to deepen channels at Crabbs Peninsula to accommodate larger ships, facilitating increased cement and LNG imports.

According to Antigua News Room, a completion deadline of four months was set, but work is still ongoing.