Slip Three, the Port of Palm Beach southernmost slip, underwent major renovations recently including increased depth of 35 feet (from 33’) and a northward shift of approximately 10 feet.
The improvement will allow vessels to fully load without waiting on a rising tide.
While the slip was still under construction, the Louis Howland was able to dock and load a record 16,700 short tons of sugar, allowing record cargo capabilities for Florida sugar and molasses exchange. This is just one of the examples how dredging and port development can be stimulus for both the local and state economies.
Last year, the Army Corp of Engineers has signed its Chief’s Report; giving the Corp’s final approval of a dredging project to the Lake Worth Inlet and areas around the Port of Palm Beach. The dredging project calls for the width of the outer channel of the Lake Worth Inlet to increase from 400 ft. to 450 ft., the inner channel width to increase from 300 up to 450 ft. at its widest area, and the depth of the channel to increase from 35 to 39 ft.
The project is expected to cost $88.6 million, of which the Port of Palm Beach will pay $35 million.