Boskalis wins Panama artificial island project

Royal Boskalis Westminster has been awarded a € 55 million (US$ 73 million) contract to construct an artificial island off the coast of Punta Pacifica in Panama City.

Developer Ocean Reef Island awarded the contract, which involves reclaiming 10 ha of land and constructing a bridge to connect the island to Panama City.

Boskalis said it would use 650000 m³ of rock to form a perimeter for the artificial island, which would then be filled with 1.4 million m³ of sand.

A large trailer suction hopper dredger, together with a clamshell crane and split barges, would be used for the work, according to Boskalis.

The contractor added that the project also included an option for the construction of a second, slightly smaller adjoining island measuring 9 ha.

Take-up of this option will extend the project by a year, and a decision is expected during 2011. Without the extension, the project is expected to be completed by mid 2012.