Guyana’s Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has commenced a two-month dredging operation on the Demerara River to improve navigational conditions beyond the southern limits of Port Georgetown.
According to a notice, the operation began on June 25 and is scheduled to continue until August 27. The work is being carried out using the trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) vessel called Shoreway.
The dredging campaign is taking place within the Demerara River, “approximately 0.11 nautical miles (0.20 kilometers) off the East Bank of Demerara.” The designated work area covers about 0.34 square nautical miles (1.18 square kilometers).
Dredging in Demerara Channel to continue through 2025 | OilNOW
The activity is consistent with the Guyana government’s efforts to deepen the Demerara River, allowing larger vessels to access expanding port facilities as demand from the offshore oil and gas industry continues to grow.
The Demerara River is Guyana’s main commercial waterway, linking the Port of Georgetown to the Atlantic Ocean and supporting the movement of cargo, fuel, and other goods.
Growth in offshore oil and gas activity, led by ExxonMobil, has significantly increased marine traffic and demand for port services. In response, Guyana has expanded shore bases and port infrastructure while undertaking dredging to improve access for larger vessels.
This includes phase 1 of the US$300 million Port of Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase Inc. on the Demerara River at Plantation Best, West Bank Demerara. The port supports offshore operations by providing logistics, subsea equipment handling, fabrication, and marine support services. The facility also houses Guyana’s in-country capping stack, a critical well control system that can be deployed quickly in the unlikely event of a subsea well blowout.
