Houston-based Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (GLDD), the largest dredging contractor in the United States, closed 2023 with a significant announcement of $173.7 million in new contract awards. These contracts span across five projects located in the southern states of Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, extending to the New Jersey coast.
Texas Project: Sabine-Neches Waterway Channel Improvement
In Texas, GLDD is set to undertake the first phase of the Sabine-Neches Waterway Channel Improvement Project, stretching from the Sabine Bank Channel to the Sabine Pass Channel. The project is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of the year and conclude in the fourth quarter, with the Sabine-Neches Navigation District as the client. This project is notable for its dual funding from federal and private sources.
Louisiana Project: Atchafalaya River Bay Dredging
Moving eastward to Louisiana, GLDD has been awarded an $11.1 million rental contract for dredging activities in the Atchafalaya River bay, bar, and Crewboat Cut, with an additional $6.8 million in open options pending award. The New Orleans Engineer District is overseeing this project, which has already commenced and is anticipated to be completed within this quarter.
Florida Projects: Shore Protection and Beach Renourishment
The contract awards also include two projects in Florida: the St. Augustine Shore Protection Project and the Duval County Shore Protection Beach Renourishment Project. GLDD plans to finish the former in the first quarter and commence the latter in the second quarter, with completion expected in the third quarter. Both projects are under the jurisdiction of the Jacksonville Engineer District.
New Jersey Project: Great Egg Harbor Inlet Beach Renourishment
Additionally, GLDD has secured the Great Egg Harbor Inlet Beach Renourishment Project in New Jersey. This project involves dredging inlet and offshore borrow areas and depositing material on beaches in Ocean City, Upper Township, and Sea Isle. The Philadelphia Engineer District is the client for this project, which is jointly funded by the federal government and the state of New Jersey. Work has already started, with completion expected in the second quarter of the year.
GLDD’s Commitment to Coastal Improvement and Resilience
Lasse Petterson, president and CEO of Great Lakes Dredge & Dock, expressed satisfaction in adding these significant projects to the company’s 2023 backlog, highlighting their contribution to the improvement and resilience of the nation’s environment, coastlines, and infrastructure. GLDD’s commitment to enhancing the country’s coastal infrastructure is evident in its diverse portfolio of projects across various states.
Potential New Jersey Beach Renourishment Project
GLDD might also re-enter the competition for another beach renourishment project in New Jersey, following a favorable decision by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). The GAO ruled that the Corps’ move to convert a project to a negotiated procurement after bids exceeded estimates was against the law. Bill Hanson, senior vice president for market development at GLDD, expressed eagerness to proceed with the project as the low bidder, acknowledging GLDD’s long-standing partnership with the Philadelphia District.
Advancements in Offshore Wind Energy Projects
Furthermore, GLDD announced progress in the construction and financing of the Acadia, its upcoming offshore wind rock installation vessel, already contracted for two wind energy projects. The application for financing under the Maritime Administration’s Title XI is complete, advancing the loan process. MarAd’s Title XI program provides financing for ships at lower interest rates than private lenders. Petterson highlighted the strong relationship with MarAd and the significant milestone in the application process, emphasizing GLDD’s strategy to be a leading contributor in the U.S. offshore wind market.
GLDD’s Commitment to Wind Energy Projects
The Acadia, set to be the first Jones Act subsea rock installation vessel in the United States, is expected to be delivered by the end of this year. It is contracted for the Empire Wind I project in New York, with rock installation planned for 2025. Despite Empire Offshore Wind LLC’s recent termination of the Empire Wind II rock installation contract, GLDD remains committed to wind energy projects. Eleni Beyko, GLDD’s senior vice president for offshore wind, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to the Empire Wind I project and its ongoing pursuit of additional opportunities, including international projects beyond 2026.