SULPHUR, La, March 2, 2009 – The West Calcasieu Port announced today that it has begun
seeking bids for the dredging of the port’s west barge basin located along the Gulf Intracoastal
Waterway.
“The West Cal Port will begin advertising this week in local and state publications to alert
maritime excavation contractors and other interested parties that we are seeking qualified,
competitive bids for the dredging project,” said Lynn Hohensee, director of the West Calcasieu
Port.
He noted that servicing commercial barge transportation operations along the Gulf Intracoastal
Waterway is critical component of the port’s operations and that Hurricane Rita in 2005 and
Hurricane Ike in 2008 contributed significantly to “silting in” of the facility’s west barge basin.
“We are anxious to attract qualified contractors through our competitive bidding process during
the month of March, a timeframe required by law,” Hohensee said. “We will then identify the
most qualified bidder with the most competitive proposal as soon as possible so that we can
have our barge basin back in shape by late summer.”
Hohensee noted that the timing is critical so that the port’s barge transportation infrastructure
can be at 100 percent efficiency as Southwest Louisiana enters into the “the most active segment
of the region’s hurricane season”.
West Cal Port Engineer Chuck Stutes with Sulphurbased Meyer & Associates has estimated
that approximately 180,000 cubic yards of spoil will need to be dredged in order to return the
port’s west barge basin to a depth of 12 feet. The dredged spoils will be deposited on a 40acre
spoils area at the port that has been approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Hohensee explained that the WCP’s largest tenant, Devall Towing, currently operates one of the
largest barge fleeting facilities along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, and that demand for quality
barge docking space is essential if the company is to meet growing demand shallowwater
maritime transportation in Southwest Louisiana.
Significant funding support will come from a $1.5 million Port Priority Fund grant from the
Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development. Additional funds project expenses will
be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Response Administration as a result of the
destructive impact of Hurricanes Rita and Ike.
Located 12 miles south of Interstate 10 just west of Highway 27, the WCP offers 2,500 feet of
waterfront property on the GIWW.
Current tenant activity includes barge operations, maritime fueling service, dry cargo barge
cleaning, diesel repair, heavy equipment contracting and maritime supply operations.
Potential bidders seeking additional information on the port’s dredging project are encouraged to
contact Meyer & Associates (337-625-8353) for copies of bid documents