Boskalis dredgers to revisit Acu Port

Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. has been awarded a dredging contract in Brazil valued at some €120m.

Açu Petróleo S.A., a joint venture company of Prumo Logística S.A. and Oiltanking Gmbh, has awarded the contract for the expansion of the Porto do Açu Oil Transhipment Terminal in Rio de Janeiro State.

The expansion comprises the deepening, widening and extension of the access channel and turning basin. In total, approximately 32 million cubic meters of sand, silt and clay will be dredged. The activities will commence immediately and are expected to be completed late in 2017. For this project one jumbo and two large trailing suction hopper dredgers will be deployed.

Currently, the terminal's access channel has a depth of 20.5m, suitable to receive Suezmax type vessels. By the end of 2017 the depth will be increased to up to 24.5m, allowing the terminal will be able to receive Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs).

Between 2011 and 2015 Boskalis was responsible for the development of a large part of Açu Port, which included the construction of two access channels, a turning basin, an inner channel and mooring berths as well as the 2.4km of revetments for the inner harbour's protection.