Antigua and Barbuda exploring best options to complete dredging projects

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Cabinet Approval – Dredging Partnership and Investment

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has approved a strategic partnership between the Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority, the Ministry of Works, and the Blue Ocean Dredging Company to invest in specialized dredging equipment for the completion of critical projects at St. John’s Harbour and Crabbs Harbour.

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This initiative addresses long-standing challenges at both harbours, where significant volumes of material remain unremoved:

  • St. John’s Harbour: Approximately 20,000 m³ of rock and 120,000 m³ of maintenance dredging, totaling 140,000 m³.
  • Crabbs Harbour: Approximately 150,000 m³ outstanding.

A delegation comprising the Port Manager, the Manager of Blue Ocean, an engineer from the Ministry of Works, and Cabinet Minister Hon. Rawdon Turner will travel to Holland to engage potential equipment suppliers.

This mission will support the modernization of Blue Ocean Dredging Company, now fully owned by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.

Challenges with International Contractors

Previous efforts with international dredging firms have proven costly and uncertain:

  • Boskalis (Holland): ~USD 2M mobilization/demobilization.
  • Van Oord (Holland): USD 430K/day for one week, no completion guarantee.
  • Jan De Nul (Holland): USD 9M (~USD 32/m³).
  • Dutch Dredging (Belgium): USD 57–120/m³.
  • Van Tunen (Holland): USD 715K mobilization + USD 67K/week.
  • Seaward Marine Corp. (USA): USD 3–4M mobilization, USD 62.50/m³.
  • Gallega (Santo Domingo): USD 380/m³.

By comparison, Blue Ocean Marine (Antigua) currently dredges at USD 21.50/m³, well below international rates. However, the company lacks the specialized equipment needed to complete large-scale projects.

Current Assessment

  • International contractors remain reluctant, citing uncertainty over rock hardness and preferring charter agreementsinstead of fixed cubic-meter pricing.
  • Local capacity offers competitive and sustainable rates, but requires equipment upgrades.
  • A negotiated rate of USD 32/m³ is considered acceptable for completing the Crabbs and St. John’s projects.

Strategic Actions Endorsed by Cabinet

  1. Investment in Equipment
    1. Purchase of a Caterpillar 6015 Excavator with attachments (Xcentric Ripper XR80, Hydraulic Breaker HB7000, Quick Coupler).
    1. Lease, with option to purchase, of a Pontoon Barge.
    1. Recruitment of experienced dredge operators and mechanics.
  2. Expansion of Operations
    1. Maintenance dredging at St. John’s Harbour (cruise terminal, cargo terminal, fisheries complex).
    1. Beach replenishment projects across Antigua and Barbuda.
    1. Sand mining for the construction industry.
    1. Extension of dredging services to regional markets.
  3. Hopper Dredger – M.B. Amaru
    1. Operating cost projections for three months estimated at USD 600,500.

The delegation will evaluate equipment options and negotiate arrangements in the best interest of Antigua and Barbuda. Their findings will be presented to Cabinet for a final decision.

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5 COMMENTS

  1. It’s about time Antigua invested in its own capabilities! Paying sky-high prices to foreign companies was never sustainable.

  4. I never realized that this was such a costly project.the quotes quotes are like serial numbers cause when converted in EC I may not even be able to read it. That’s a hell of a lot of money.
    I hope the trip results in a lit cheaper solution

  5. Dear Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda

    You claim local capacity offers competitive and sustainable rates, but requires equipment upgrades since the company lacks the specialized equipment needed to complete large-scale projects.. Yet despite years of delays and shifting timelines this company has suffered no penalties Does this mean that now than the government owns it it will now descend even deeper into mediocrity !!!

    Does Blue Ocean Marine (Antigua) own the present dredging equipment working at the Crabbs Harbor area that has been a blight on the seascape for way too long now ? Why has the equipment been allowed to stay there for so long if the company cannot complete the project because of a lack of specialized equipment???? The equipment seems to be working every day so what is it doing there if it cannot complete the project ???

    Since the company lacks the specialized equipment needed to complete large-scale projects
    will the flow sensors and surveying equipment / team(s) also be upgraded as well to ensure transparency going forward so that the material being paid for to be removed is actually removed ,if as stated this is being done using a fixed cubic-meter pricing system?. It is logical to think that the sensors and survey equipment/ team will also need up grading if the rest of the equipment needs to be ???

    Does the present company even have flow sensors and survey equipment ??

    It would be a wonderful thing if this project could actually accomplish its stated goals and not just become another waste of taxpayer money that “Creatively enriches” a few individuals

    Best Regards
    Rad Trad

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