Port of Iberia dredging project one step closer to happening

The Port of Iberia recently completed another step to deepen the Acadiana Gulf of Mexico Access channel (AGMAC).

Port of Iberia/USACE

As required by the Corps of Engineers, four pipelines have been lowered to prepare for dredging from the port to the Gulf of Mexico via the Intracoastal Canal.

The AGMAC project will create a 16’ depth in the Commercial Canal up to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The port recently received bids from potential dredging contractors and expect to award the contract soon.

“This has been a long process and we are excited to be closer to dredging,” stated Craig Romero, Port of Iberia Executive Director. “This project will give the Port of Iberia the capability of allowing much larger vessels to access our port, therefore creating more job opportunities for all of Acadiana.”

Dredging should begin before the end of the year with expected completion by the end of 2022. This $38 million dollar project is funded by the State of Louisiana Capital Outlay funds.

The Port of Iberia is strategically located in the heart of Cajun country along the Louisiana Gulf Coast between Houston and New Orleans. The 2,000 acre industrial and manufacturing site is home to over 100 companies involved in oil and gas fabrication and production, materials handling, marine services and more.