The Danes will deepen the canal down to 15 metres in order to increase the permissible vessel draught to 13.8 m from the northern part of the port up to the Malku Bay.

"This project has not only economical, but also environmental significance. It is not a rare case that maritime companies are carrying part of cargoes to Klaipėda Port by incompletely loaded or smaller vessels, thus relatively more resources are used to carry the same number of cargoes: more time is wasted, bigger journey expenses are incurred, while more intensive navigation affects quality of air, as well," Algis Latakas, Director General, the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority, explained.

He furthered, "We hope that the works will be performed smoothly and quickly, without the need to restrict navigation. We plan to start the works next month and to finish the project next spring."

Rohde Nielsen had already worked for the Lithuanian port, deepening and improving the call canal in 2011-2013.

Photo: Port of Klaipėda