The project will add 14m TEU to Pasir Panjang Terminal's container handling capacity, and the expanded facilities will enable the port to capture the growing container handling business, as part of Singapore's continued development as a major hub port and maritime centre. The contract is valued at some  €910m. Work will commence in the last quarter of 2007 and will take about six years to complete.

Earlier this month, the Port of Champerico in Guatemala awarded Van Oord a contract to construct a new fishing port. The Dutch government has agreed to provide development aid covering 35% of the cost of the project. The 18 month project will commence immediately, Van Oord having been contracted to dredge a harbour basin and access channel, construct breakwaters and two jetties, and install the necessary utilities. The harbour is expected to boost the economy of the Retalhuleu region of Guatemala.

Closer to home, the German waterways and navigation authority, the WSA in Cuxhaven, which is responsible for navigation at the mouth of the River Elbe, has awarded Van Oord and partners a maintenance dredging contract to preserve the depth of this section of the river. Work on this project was due to commence this month and will take 18 months to complete. In total, approximately 15m m3 will be dredged using several trailing suction hopper dredgers.