Chetumal, Q.R. — The dredging project of the Zaragoza Canal has been moved to Chetumal Bay. While the actual dredging project for the Canal has been canceled, authorities are now looking into dredging Chetumal Bay instead.
The Director of the Administración Portuaria Integral de Quintana Roo (Apiqroo), Vagner Elbiorn Vega, says the Canal project was abandoned because it was considered unfeasible due to the environmental impact it would have.
Now, Apiqroo is looking to the state capital as an alternative. The Quintana Roo Port Authority (Apiqroo) says they are considering Chetumal Bay a place where larger vessels can reach the south of Quintana Roo.
According to information provided by Elbiorn Vega, bathymetry and environmental impact studies are currently being carried out to determine whether dredging will be feasible in this case. Since project studies are still being done, the project is considered to still be in the evaluation stage.
He says the purpose of the dredging project is to promote nautical activity to strengthen the economy of the southern part of the state through the maritime sector. He says Apeqroo is hoping for favorable study results so that the capital city can be taken advantage of.
The dredging of the Zaragoza Canal has been an on-again-off-again project since 2020. It wasn’t until 2023 that the project was finally scrapped altogether due to environmental concerns.
Vagner Elbiorn says Apiqroo has contacted specialists in Dubai in order to learn about the most up-to-date technologies that would allow dredging in the Bay with the least possible environmental impact.
