Name and Location
Suez Canal expansion project, Cairo, Egypt.

Client
Suez Canal Authority.

Project Description
The Suez Canal is currently only wide enough for ships to travel in one direction, with a few places allowing for two-way traffic. The new channel will run alongside the existing channel, allowing for permanent two-way operation along a section of the canal’s 193 km length.

The ‘new’ Suez Canal will partially run in parallel to the current waterway and partially entail the widening and deepening of existing parts thereof.

The project includes the construction of a 50 km parallel section of the canal to enable ships to simultaneously travel in two directions, and the widening and deepening of several existing sections to a depth of 24 m. The majority of the dredging activities for the canal expansion will be executed with 17 cutter suction dredgers.

Value
$8.4-billion.

Duration
The project will begin this year and is expected to be completed in 2015.

Latest Developments
A consortium, comprising Royal Boskalis Westminster, Van Oord, NMDC
(Abu Dhabi) and Jan de Nul (Belgium), has been awarded a $1.5-billion contract by the Suez Canal Authority for the expansion of the Suez Canal. Each consortium partner will be entitled to equal share of $375-million.

In addition, a joint venture between DEME’s Dredging International (75%) and Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company (25%) has been awarded the $540-million contract to deepen and widen the western branch of the Suez Canal at Great Bitter Lake, Deversoir Reach and Kabreet Reach.

The scope of works includes the widening and deepening of the Suez Canal over a length of 25 km.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Royal Boskalis Westminster, Van Oord, NMDC and Jan de Nul (canal expansion) Dredging International and Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company (deepening and widening).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Suez Canal Authority, tel +2 064 3393950 or +2 064 3392823.
Royal Boskalis Westminster investor relations Martijn Schuttevâer,
email ir@boskalis.com.
Van Oord, Robert de Bruin, tel +31 88 8268234 or email robert.debruin@vanoord.com.
DEME, Ann Wittemans, tel +32 3 210 67 94 or
email wittemans.ann@deme-group.com.