Posted on July 7, 2025
The much-anticipated Liquefied Natural Gas plant at Crabbs Peninsula remains ready for operation, but dredging complications continue to prevent ships from accessing the facility, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant revealed during Thursday’s post-Cabinet press briefing.
Speaking after a recent tour of the LNG facility, Merchant outlined ongoing equipment challenges that have plagued the dredging operations at both Crabbs and St. John’s Harbour.
“There were some difficulties that were being experienced as we would have reported previously in terms of the equipment being used to dredge the harbour, not only at the location at Crabbs, but also in St. John’s Harbour, and the same company was being utilized in terms of the composition of the material,” Merchant explained.
The dredging work, crucial for allowing LNG vessels to reach the 40-megawatt power plant, has encountered unexpected challenges with the rocky composition of the sea floor. Blue Ocean Dredging, the primary contractor, has been working alongside a supplementary company, but officials indicate the additional equipment has proven less effective than hoped.
To address these setbacks, the government is moving to procure additional dredging support. “Government and the proprietors, the APUA and the Port Authority, which has responsibility for such actions are in the process of procuring another dredging company to support the work of the current dredging company that is operating there, and very shortly we will announce the new company that will be assisting the Blue Ocean Company,” Merchant said.
The urgency of resolving the dredging issues has intensified as the LNG facility stands ready to begin operations. The US$50 million project, a joint venture between the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), the Hadeed Group’s Antigua Power Company (APC), and Houston-based Eagle LNG, represents a substantial step in the country’s energy transition.
“Recognizing that the LNG plant is ready for operation and the only hindrance for its operation at this time is the access of the ships to bring the material to the plant through that channel there, and so dredging is a priority for the principals involved, and it is being worked on daily,” Merchant emphasized.
The project involves multiple stakeholders working to coordinate efforts. “They’re trying to ensure that work at Crabbs coincides with work at the St. John’s Harbour, and so the company that will assist Blue Ocean in this endeavor is expected to work on both areas,” Merchant noted.
According to recent Cabinet reports, the dredging challenges stem from thick limestone and sedimentary rocks that must be broken up to widen and deepen the channel. Blue Ocean’s equipment has proven more effective than supplementary contractors, with the company’s machinery capable of removing three times as much material as other ocean excavators.
The dredging work extends beyond the LNG facility’s immediate needs. The deeper channels will accommodate larger cement-carrying vessels, addressing current supply constraints where cement delivered to Crabbs by smaller vessels sells out within 24 hours, with storage units remaining empty for a week before receiving new supplies.
The LNG facility, once operational, will serve as more than just a power plant. It will function as an LNG terminal capable of supplying cruise ships and other LNG facilities throughout the sub-region, positioning Antigua and Barbuda as a regional energy hub.
“Work is actually ongoing at both facilities. If you happen to pass by, you will see that work is continuous, but not at the scale that is required to quickly get operations at the level that is required to produce LNG provided to APUA, and also to ensure that certain ships have access to the harbour,” Merchant added.
