Port of Fernandina to benefit from federal channel dredging

By Susan Hardee Steger

November 4, 2020

Port of Fernandina

For the first time in 20 years, the federal channel, which provides access to the Port of Fernandina, will undergo maintenance dredging.  The lack of regular dredging  was limiting access to the Port of Fernandina by bigger ships due to silt buildup,

Since 2018, World Wide Terminals has been lobbying federal agencies, with Congressman Rutherford's help, to support and fund the needed dredging project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is charged with maintaining federal channels.

At a cost of $4.5 million, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock will perform the dredging, and will remove 400,000 cubic yards of material.

According to Christopher Ragucci, CEO of World Wide Terminals, "Earlier this year, the Port of Fernandina deepened its own berths to 40 feet MLW based on a joint investment of nearly $500,000 by the operator and the Florida Dept. of Transportation."

"With the completion of the channel maintenance dredging, the Port of Fernandina will be able to handle ships up to 40-feet of draft which is deeper than the Port of Brunswick, GA and which will allow the Port of Fernandina to achieve its full potential."