An agreement valued at $136 million has been won by Callan Marine in Galveston, Texas. The deal calls for the dredging of Segment 1C of the Houston Ship Channel Expansion, which is a key initiative under the port’s Project 11 program.
Project Overview: Houston Ship Channel Expansion
Callan will undertake this ambitious project using its state-of-the-art 32-inch cutter suction dredger named General Arnold. General Arnold is one of the newest and largest environmentally friendly cutter suction dredgers in the United States fleet. It comes with four EPA Tier 4 engines that deliver a combined power output of 24,000 horsepower, making it exceed Tier 4 standards by employing exhaust gas recirculation technology that reduces emissions.
Callan Marine’s Contract Win: Key Details
This contract award to Callan Marine marks completion of years-long dredging efforts within Port Houston’s Project 11. Their works will finalize channel extension across Galveston Bay, underscoring Commission’s commitment to strengthen channel security and efficiency through strategic infrastructure development. The next phases of Project 11 would be executed by US Army Corps of Engineers.
Environmental Benefits of Callan’s Cutter Suction Dredger
Meanwhile, Long Beach-based Curtin Maritime Corp. recently wrapped up its dredging activities within the channel. Following approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the repositioning of Aids to Navigation (ATON), restrictions on daylight navigation are anticipated to be lifted along an additional 3 1/2 miles of the channel. This signifies an extension of roughly 30 minutes in transit time for deep draft vessels along the nation’s busiest waterway.
Curtin deployed its Avalon Tier 4 clamshell dredge to excavate approximately 5 million cubic yards of material. Some of the dredged material was utilized in crafting 260 acres of oyster mitigation enhancements between the San Leon and Dollar Reef sites.