The Klaipėda State Seaport Authority signed a financing agreement with the Central Project Management Agency for the project “Deepening of the New Alignment of the Klaipėda State Seaport’s Outer Navigation Channel (up to 16.0 m) and Inner Navigation Channel (up to 15.5 m)”, project No. 06.1.1-TID-V-505-01-0003.

The total EU funding amounts to €55.41 million, of which €43.0 million is allocated from the Cohesion Fund.

Project objective:

To improve maritime traffic conditions at the Klaipėda State Seaport by reducing existing limitations of the port’s access infrastructure (navigation channel), minimizing cargo transport time and cost, as well as air pollution, while enhancing navigational safety.

Project tasks:

1.                        To reduce access infrastructure restrictions affecting the movement of vessels with a draught greater than 13.4 m within the port waters.

2.                        To reduce wave impact on vessels longer than 250 m, thereby minimizing navigational limitations and improving safety.

Project results:

The project aims to enhance freight and passenger mobility, improve connections between the core corridors of the EU Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and national/local networks, and foster efficient intermodality.

The Klaipėda State Seaport Authority (KVJUD) provides public services by operating the port and managing state-owned infrastructure within it. KVJUD carries out responsibilities as defined by the Republic of Lithuania Law on Klaipėda State Seaport to ensure state-added value through the proper operation and development of port infrastructure.

Until benchmark PK(21), the navigation channel allows vessels with a maximum draught of 13.8 m. Beyond PK(21), vessels are limited to 13.4 m draught. Current channel parameters prevent full cargo loading for larger draught vessels, thus reducing operational efficiency.

Due to the technical characteristics of the approach channel, vessels longer than 250 m face access restrictions in winds exceeding 11 m/s. By deepening the navigation channel from PK(-22) to PK(-5) to 16.0 m, and from PK(-5) to PK(83+66.4) (Malkų Bay) to 15.5 m, vessels with up to 14.3 m draught will be able to fully load. This will reduce traffic intensity and environmental impact (CO₂ emissions), while also cutting cargo transport time and cost.

The change in the alignment of the port approach channel will ease restrictions on vessels over 250 m in length, allowing them to enter the port at wind speeds up to 14 m/s. This will decrease vessel waiting times and emissions.

 Project Phases:

Phase I:
Deepening of the inner navigation channel from PK(21) to PK(83+66.4) to a depth of 15.0 m.

• Dredging contractor: Rohde Nielsen A/S
• Supervision and FIDIC engineering: Western Region Construction Consultancy Bureau

Phase II:

• Deepening of the new alignment of the outer navigation channel from PK(-22) to PK(-5) to 16.0 m
• Deepening from PK(-5) to PK(83+66.4) to 15.5 m
• Construction of leading lines

Dredging works:

Outer navigation channel:

Project: “Deepening and widening of Klaipėda State Seaport’s outer and inner navigation channel from PK(-22) to PK(26) (to –16.00 m and –15.50 m)”

• Contractor: Jan de Nul N.V. (in joint venture with Baggerwerken Decloedt en Zoon N.V.)

• Supervision and FIDIC engineering: UAB Pastatų diagnostika ir statyba

Inner navigation channel:

Project: “Deepening and widening of Klaipėda State Seaport’s inner navigation channel from PK(26) to PK(85) (to 15.5 m)”

• Contractor: Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors B.V.

• Supervision and FIDIC engineering: UAB Kiwa Inspecta

• Project implementation supervision: UAB Sweco Lietuva

Leading lines:

Project: “Construction of Klaipėda port entrance leading lines, Burių St. 19 and Naujoji Uosto St. 23”

• Contractor: UAB Tilsta

• Project implementation supervision: UAB Mutuus

• Technical supervision: UAB Kiwa Inspecta

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Key achievements improving maritime safety:

• Deepened the Klaipėda State Seaport navigation channel from PK(-5) to PK(83+66.4) to 15.5 m

• Constructed and deepened the new alignment of the outer navigation channel from PK(-22) to PK(-5) to 16.0 m

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Submerged Sandbar:

To replenish Melnragė beach with sand, the Seaport Authority created a submerged sandbar near the most erosion-affected beaches as part of the dredging project. Waves later transported the sand to the beaches and dunes, contributing to coastline renewal. If suitable, excavated material was not dumped farther out to sea, as usual, but was used to enrich the beaches—currents carried the sand shoreward, forming a submerged sand strip.

Although the Port Authority had prior experience with beach nourishment, this was the first time sand was deposited so close to shore (120 m). This allowed the formation of the submerged sandbar at a shallow 2–3.5 m depth—critical for effective shoreline replenishment.

This beach restoration initiative, integral to the dredging project, exemplifies synergy between port development and environmental protection, showing that these goals can be achieved in parallel.