From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
Nassau Harbour Port Improvement Project completed
Sep 19, 2010 - 2:37:23 PM
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works Colin Higgs (front) and Public Works and Transport Minister the Hon Neko C Grant exit the pier following an inspection of bollards recently installed as part of the Nassau Harbour Port Improvement project. (BIS photo/Letisha Henderson)
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Nassau, Bahamas -- Public Works and Transport Minister
the Hon Neko C Grant officially presented the new Nassau Harbour Port to cruise
ship partners, and colleague Ministers, Minister of Tourism Senator the Hon
Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace and Environment Minister the Hon Earl Deveaux during
a contract close-out ceremony on September 16 at the British Colonial Hilton.
On April
2, 2009, a $44 million contract was signed with Boskalis International BV to
dredge the Nassau Harbour.
The
general scope of work included dredging 1.9 million cubic yards of material
from Nassau Harbour; and the installation of three mooring dolphins, causeways
and ladders at Prince George Wharf and extension of the western end of Arawak
Cay by 1,000 ft.
The harbour project was carried out to accommodate the
new mega Royal Caribbean’s ‘Oasis of the Seas’, which made its maiden voyage to
Nassau on December 11, 2009.
The ceremony also included a short presentation by
Frans Thomassen, Project manager for Boskalis International, brief remarks by
Senator Vanderpool-Wallace and a question and answer period.
Following the presentation, Ministry officials, representatives
of the contractors and media personnel inspected Arawak Cay and the areas where
the bollards where installed.
“The decision to dredge the harbour was based in part
on the need to keep abreast of changes in the cruise industry where new Genesis
class vessels have been introduced by the major cruise lines,” said Mr Grant.
Public Works and Transport Minister the Hon Neko Grant (centre) chats with contractors and sub-contractors during an inspection of bollards a part of the Nassau Harbour Port Improvement Project on September 16. (BIS photo/Letisha Henderson)
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“In response, the Government proceeded with the
enhancement of the Harbour’s capacity by dredging to accommodate the new mega
cruise ships.”
He also noted that the refurbishment and replacement
of bollards at Prince George Dock, although separate and apart from the
dredging contract, was undertaken at the same time. The refurbishment and
replacement cost $2.3 million.
Mr Grant said the refurbishment of bollards and
dredging works have been completed along with the installation of new bollards
at pier 3. However, works on piers 1 and 2 are in the final stages of
completion.
He thanked Boskalis, Cox and SHAL Consultants Group
for their support in the design, tender and contract supervision of the
dredging project.
He also acknowledged the staff of his Ministry
including Colin Higgs, permanent secretary; John Canton, director of Public
Works; former deputy director Gordon Major, Robert Garraway, project officer
and staff of other Government agencies who contributed to the advancement and
successful completion of the project.
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