Global maritime projects designer Bechtel has been awarded a contract to manage pre-construction of the largest deep-water port in the United States.
Bechtel on behalf of LIGTT Project Company LLC will provide management services in the pre-construction phase of the Louisiana International Gulf Transfer Terminal.
The project hopes to improve trade by opening a new supply line via the Mississippi River, which runs through 32 states and Canada.
In a statement, principle of LIGTT Project Company LLC, Patrick Harvey spoke of the terminals importance in accommodating larger vessels in concurrence with the expansion of the Panama Canal.
At depths lower than 70-feet the terminal will also be able to accommodate even larger super post-Panamax vessels that are currently in operation.
Preliminary work on the 250-acre deep-water port has already begun, with Bechtel providing pre-construction of the facilities alongside overseeing the design and permitting of the facility.
The company will also prepare for early procurement and terminal operator integration.
Managing director of Bechtel's global infrastructure business, Walker Kimbal said; “This is an innovative infrastructure project that will help the United States in the post-Panamax era, by enabling the nation to handle the larger ships of tomorrow, while increasing the utilisation and efficiency of our extensive inland waterway system.”
“We will build on our long-term presence in the Gulf Coast region to support the development of job creation and training programs, with an emphasis on hiring veterans,” he added.
“We look forward to working with LIGTT Project Company on this important project.”
Upon completion, the Louisiana International Gulf Transfer Terminal is expected to generate more than 33,000 jobs across Louisiana and Mississippi, whilst increasing America’s shipping capacity by more than two million TEU annually. Plans are also in place to enhance this total to as much as 3.5 million TEU depending on trade demand.