After weeks of tense negotiations and high-stakes disagreements between the Antigua and Barbuda government and private contractors on the country’s landmark liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure project, a last-minute compromise has cleared the path for the first cargo of LNG to arrive on national shores within one month, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has confirmed. Speaking in an interview with local radio outlet Pointe FM over the weekend, Browne broke down the origins of the conflict, which traced back to unforeseen complications during critical dredging work required to widen and deepen shipping channels to accommodate large LNG tankers. Initial geotechnical surveys had incorrectly characterized the seabed as composed entirely of sand, but crews encountered large formations of solid, extremely dense rock that drastically slowed progress. The government first deployed its domestic dredging firm Blue Ocean to complete the work, but when the company was unable to overcome the geological obstacles, international contractor Dutch Dredging was brought in – and still faced persistent challenges that extended the project timeline far beyond initial projections.
PM Browne Says LNG Dispute With U.S Firm Resolved, First Ship Expected Within 30 Days
