Netherlands-based Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors has won an LTL129.5m ($51m) contract from Klaipeda State Port Authority in Lithuania to dredge the seaport navigation channel.

The project will widen the navigation channel from 120m to 150m and deepen it to 14.5m from the current 13-13.5m.

The dredging will enhance the safety of the vessels at the port as well as improve the operational manoeuvring, increasing the cargo handling capacity.

The EU-funded expansion of the channel will help the port accommodate longer and wider postpanamax type vessels of 300-310m in length and 40m in beam.

The project is planned to be implemented in 2011-2012.