Port of Coos Bay Year in Review, Importance of Dredging Highlighted

The last year was a year of new beginnings and growth for Port of Coos Bay, the port said in their latest announcement. 

They just released a Year in Review letter from Port CEO, John Burns, introducing the accomplishments that have taken place at the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay in the past year.

“As Oregonians, we depend on waterways such as channels, harbors and bays for transportation of goods, commercial fishing, and recreation.”

“One key element in preserving the viability of this resource is dredging. These efforts are much more than removal of large quantities of sediment, but rather are essential waterway management.

“Routine dredging as well as widening and deepening of channels is needed to accommodate a modern fleet of vessels. Cargo vessel sizes continue to grow to maximize shipping efficiencies and reduce costs.  This continued trend has led to multiple widening and deepening projects in the channel over the past century, including the Coos Bay harbor.

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) allocated funds in their workplan to include river miles 12 to 15 in upcoming annual maintenance dredging of the Coos Bay channel. 

“This portion of the channel, from approximately the Oregon Chip Terminal facility to Georgia Pacific, has not received maintenance dredging since 2010, limiting deep draft vessel traffic. With this portion of the channel returned to its authorized depth of -37’, restrictions on vessel traffic will be reduced. 

“In addition to this effort, we continue to progress the Channel Modification project, which will deepen and widen the Coos Bay Navigation Channel. This project will expand the footprint to -45’ and 450’ nominal width, serving to make larger cargo ships passable which in turn render more economic opportunities to existing and future customers.”