Banana Enterprises Limited is reportedly to do major expansion and development of the Big Creek Port.
The Port is now seeking to improve its product offering by upgrading existing facilities, onshore and offshore, in an effort to balance the pendulum of capacity and demand.
A berthing facility and a deck barge will be built, and existing berths will be upgraded. The port will also acquire additional equipment, deepen the existing channel and replace the maritime buoys and navigation markers.
These improvements are estimated to cost BZ$30 Million, with works on the berth, barge and dredging the channel to begin within the first 12 months at a capital outlay of approximately BZ$8 Million or 27% of total project cost.
The channel will be deepened from its present depth of 22.1 feet to 26 feet. It will also be widened from its present width of 207.9 feet to 396 feet (120 meters).
Shareholders have expressed the opinion that significant savings can be accrued by acquiring a suitable dredge for the job and employing a capable experienced crew to do the work.
The Reporter