The dredging operations at the access channel of Batabanó Port in Mayabeque province have commenced with the aim of restoring normal maritime passenger transport between the Isla de la Juventud and the rest of Cuba, following disruptions caused by Hurricane Rafael's passage through the western part of the island. Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, Cuba's Minister of Transport, announced on his Facebook profile that these efforts are intended to ensure the safe docking of the ferry Perseverancia, which is crucial for maintaining the connection between these two locations.
In a candid video shared by the minister, the beginning of the dredging activities at the dock was depicted, emphasizing the critical nature of this work to maintain the port's operational capability and facilitate the movement of passengers and essential goods. Previously, Rodríguez noted that a dredger, which was originally stationed at La Coloma Port in Pinar del Río, was urgently relocated to Batabanó to address two critical points in the channel to allow the ferry Perseverancia's passage.
This initial phase involves the removal of about 2,000 cubic meters of sediment over a five-day period, marking the first stage of the project. The plan includes a second phase stretching to January 2025, during which an additional 22,000 cubic meters will be dredged to enhance both the docking basin and maneuvering area. The third phase, scheduled for 2025, aims to achieve the project's original approved depth levels, thereby restoring the port's full capacity. Concurrently, efforts are underway to develop La Coloma as an alternative passenger transport route to the Isla de la Juventud.
Rodríguez elaborated that the dredger would extract sediment from the seabed, transporting it via pipeline to a designated disposal site. This procedure is vital to combat the sediment buildup caused by Hurricane Rafael and the natural conditions of this coastal region, which have significantly reduced the channel's depth.
Recently, the minister explained on Facebook how Cuban authorities had escalated the dredging efforts at Batabanó's dock to resume passenger transport to the Isla de la Juventud, a critical route for the island region's residents. The sediment accumulation in the access channel, worsened by Hurricane Rafael and natural material drift in the area, has severely hindered the docking of the ferry Perseverancia, currently the only operational vessel for trips between Batabanó and Nueva Gerona.
To undertake these tasks, a team of divers and specialists from GEOCUBA's Marine Studies Company conducted measurements in Batabanó Port's access channel. These efforts aimed to assess the current depth and plan the necessary dredging after the sediment accumulation caused by Hurricane Rafael. The collected data allowed for the design of a project prioritizing the most affected areas.