Port of Algeciras Launches Tender for Dock Deepening Design, East Dock Target Draft of 18.5 Meters

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On August 27, the Bay of Algeciras Port Authority (APBA) officially launched the tender for design services for the deepening of the Juan Carlos I North Dock and East Dock. Both docks are located within the APM Terminals Algeciras container terminal operating area.

The estimated contract value is €279,650 (excluding VAT), with a bid submission deadline of September 22, 2026. The scope of this tender covers the preparation of all project documents required for the deepening works, including technical specifications and construction plans.

According to the technical indicators in the tender documents, the target draft depth for the North Dock is up to 15.50 meters, while the target draft depth for the East Dock section between bollards 17 and 33 is up to 18.50 meters. Currently, the East Dock can only accommodate one Triple E-class ultra-large container vessel under specific tidal conditions; the goal is to enable simultaneous berthing of two such vessels, thereby enhancing berthing capacity and operational flexibility.

The scope of design work covers the entire North Dock and the East Dock section between bollards 17 and 33. The successful bidder is required to survey and assess the existing dock structures, analyze pile foundation bearing capacity and apron surface conditions, calculate the dredging scope and dredging volume based on the target draft depths, and develop dock renovation plans prior to deepening—including bollard upgrades, fender system adjustments, and potential structural reinforcement measures—ultimately producing technical documents that can guide subsequent construction.

The project has been included in APBA's 2027–2031 investment plan. APBA and APM Terminals Algeciras have reached a framework agreement on the deepening works for the two berths, with specific implementation arrangements to be incorporated into a subsequent dredging works contract.

This tender covers only the design and study phase and does not include the dredging works themselves. The dredging construction will be tendered as a separate contract package, to be procured after the design plan is finalized and the necessary approvals are obtained.

As a historical reference, in 2011 the Spanish Official State Gazette published a tender for dredging works at the Juan Carlos I East Dock, with a target draft depth of 17 meters and a dredging volume of approximately 88,500 cubic meters. The 18.50-meter target draft depth proposed in this design tender represents an increase of 1.50 meters over the 2011 plan, reflecting the port's upgraded demand for routine berthing of ultra-large container vessels.