Operational dredging of the waters of the Odesa seaport began on April 13. The total volume of dredging work will be 127,000 cubic meters, the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority announced.

The operational dredging is being performed with the aim of maintaining the declared characteristics of the port’s water area and hydraulic structures.

The dredging work is being performed with a Meotida dredge belonging to the Delta Lotsman company, which is a division of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, and the engineering service of the Odesa port. The dredge will operate in the port water area until the end of the spawning period in the Dnieper-Bug Estuary canal and then return to work in the Dnieper-Bug Estuary canal.

The Meotida trailing suction hopper dredger is designed for performance of operational and construction dredging works. The vessel was built by Damen Shipyards Gorinchem (the Netherlands) in the period of 2010-2012.

As reported, the Ministry of Infrastructure recently announced that it was considering whether it was necessary to create its own dredging company.