Monrovia- As government back on ways to improve safety, throughput, trade and commerce, the Freeport of Monrovia through the government of Liberia has hired of the world largest Dredging company, Van Oord to dredge 13.5m depth level. Van Oord has already started working and it is said that they will be finished in the next two weeks.

In Consistent with the CDC led government’s commitment regarding the scheduled dredging exercises, the management of the National Port Authority has with immediate effect commenced a 24/7 dredging of the Freeport of Monrovia.

The exercise which kicks off on Tuesday, February 4th 2020 at 3pm is as a result of the early arrival of the dredger at the Freeport of Monrovia.

A press release from the NPA says the dredging is being executed by Van Oord – the world’s third largest Dredging and Marine Company.

According to the release, the Freeport will be dredged up to 13.5m depth level within entrance channel.

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While the dredging is being executed, vessels up to 10M will be allowed to call the Freeport in line with their berthing schedules.

The exercise is expected to last for three weeks ; thereafter, vessels up to 60,000MT ( SDWT) will berth at the Freeport. The exercise according to the release, conforms with best practice and will ensure improved trade and commerce.

NPA Managing Director Bill Twehway has expressed optimism that going forward, it will no longer take three to five years before dredging is done; but assured that the required two years maintenance dredging will be carried out accordingly in order to keep attracting bigger and larger vessels to a safer and reliable port to spur trade and commerce.