A significant project to dredge Puerto Rico's largest seaport, San Juan Bay, has officially begun, with crews from Curtin Maritime initiating the removal of nearly 3 million cubic yards of marine floor. The primary objective of this $62 million endeavor is to facilitate the access of larger vessels, including tankers destined for a new liquid natural gas terminal on the island's north coast.
The dredged material, amounting to 76 million cubic feet, will be deposited into the Atlantic Ocean 2 nautical miles north of Puerto Rico, following approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Governor Pedro Pierluisi anticipates a substantial economic boost of $400 million for the local economy upon completion of the dredging, which is scheduled for October.
