Dredging of the North Channel in Bermuda could start as early as the spring so that the island can accommodate Quantum class ships of Royal Caribbean International, The Royal Gazette in Hamilton reports.
"The specialist work will be carried out during the 2015 cruise season in between calls by ships so the schedule is not disrupted," The Royal Gazette reported on its website. "The cruise line Royal Caribbean International (RCI) has been in talks with Government over helping to finance the costs of the work that will continue through the summer and enable RCI’s new Quantum class liner to dock in Bermuda."
The Department of Works and Engineering and Tourism Development and Transport would not comment on what proposals for dredging had been adopted. A series of surveys have been undertaken over the past 12 months with a view to accommodating a new era of larger cruise liners.
In September, a spokesman for the Ministry of Public Works told The Royal Gazette: “We are still awaiting the final environmental impact study, which includes a plume study which is being conducted concurrently. Once the necessary studies are completed, a Request For Proposals would be initiated to get pricing for actual dredging and reharvesting of corals," the report said.
