(https://gmpg.org/xfn/11) (../../stackpath.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/4.5.2/css/bootstrap.min.css) (https://ads.adthrive.com/) (https://ads.adthrive.com/) (https://ads.adthrive.com/) Army Corps Moves to Overhaul How U.S. Dredging Projects Are Awarded  (index.html)                               (https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/)  (https://www.googletagmanager.com/)  (gCaptain » Feed) (https://gcaptain.com/feed/)  (gCaptain » Comments Feed) (https://gcaptain.com/comments/feed/)  (oEmbed (JSON)) (https://gcaptain.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgcaptain.com%2Farmy-corps-moves-to-overhaul-how-u-s-dredging-projects-are-awarded%2F)  (oEmbed (XML)) (https://gcaptain.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgcaptain.com%2Farmy-corps-moves-to-overhaul-how-u-s-dredging-projects-are-awarded%2F&format=xml)  (../wp-content/plugins/post-views-counter/css/frontend.css@ver=1.8.0.css)  (../wp-includes/css/dashicons.min.css@ver=7.1.3.css)  (../wp-content/themes/gCaptain-Theme/assets/css/all.min.css@ver=1.5.0.css)  (../wp-content/themes/gCaptain-Theme/css/main.css@ver=1.5.0.css)  (../../cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/swiper@11/swiper-bundle.min.css@ver=11.0.css)  (../wp-content/themes/gCaptain-Theme/css/custom.css@ver=1.5.0.css)  (https://gcaptain.com/wp-json/)  (JSON) (https://gcaptain.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/259388)  (RSD) (https://gcaptain.com/xmlrpc.php?rsd)  (https://gcaptain.com/?p=259388)   (../wp-content/uploads/2018/04/gCaptain_200x200-100x100.jpg)  (../wp-content/uploads/2018/04/gCaptain_200x200-200x200.jpg)  (../wp-content/uploads/2018/04/gCaptain_200x200-200x200.jpg)    (https://gcaptain.com) (gCaptain-logo)    (https://gcaptain.com/advertise/) Advertise (https://forum.gcaptain.com) Forum (https://jobsite.gcaptain.com/) Jobs (https://gcaptain.com/subscribe/) Subscribe    (Search)   (https://gcaptain.com/join-the-club/?mt_source=PrimaryNavigation) Join The Club   (https://gcaptain.com/?memberful_endpoint=auth) (memberful-logo)    (https://gcaptain.com) (gCaptain-logo)    (index.html#)      (https://gcaptain.com/category/maritime-multimedia/video/) Video (https://gcaptain.com/category/shipping/) Shipping (https://gcaptain.com/category/offshore-news/) Offshore (https://gcaptain.com/category/maritime-defense-news/) Defense (https://gcaptain.com/category/ports/) Ports (https://gcaptain.com/category/shipbuilding-news/) Shipbuilding (https://gcaptain.com/category/incidents/ship-accidents/) Accidents (https://gcaptain.com/category/cruise-ship-news/) Cruise Ships      ×    (Search)   (https://gcaptain.com/advertise/) Advertise  (https://forum.gcaptain.com/) Forum  (https://jobsite.gcaptain.com/) Jobs  (https://gcaptain.com/subscribe/) Subscribe    (gc logo) Grab a Seat at the Captain’s Table Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.  (https://gcaptain.com/join-the-club/?mt_source=HambugerNavigation) Sign Up (https://gcaptain.com/?memberful_endpoint=auth) Sign In   Don’t Miss Your Daily Briefing for the Maritime Industry Join the leading maritime news network — trusted by our 106,597 members  (user)   () (Enter your email)  ()  (Subscribe)        (https://www.facebook.com/gCaptain-27223368885/) (facebook)  (https://www.instagram.com/gcaptain) (instagram)  (https://twitter.com/gCaptain) (twitter)      (Army Corps Moves to Overhaul How U.S. Dredging Projects Are Awarded)  Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co. conducting work in Charleston Harbor, September 11, 2021. Stock Photo: Daniel Wright98/Shutterstock  Army Corps Moves to Overhaul How U.S. Dredging Projects Are Awarded (https://gcaptain.com/author/mike/) Mike Schuler Total Views: 151   October 20, 2026   The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is overhauling how it manages dredging contracts nationwide, moving toward a centralized approach intended to reduce costs, improve scheduling and make better use of the country’s limited dredging fleet. The Corps handles approximately 190 dredging contract actions each year to maintain navigation channels at U.S. ports, harbors and inland waterways. Most have traditionally been managed by individual districts, an approach the agency says can lead to duplicated administrative work, competing schedules and inefficient use of available dredging equipment. To address those problems, the Corps is establishing an Enterprise Dredging Delivery Center (EDDC), supported by an interim Dredging Evolution for Enterprise Production (DEEP) Team, to coordinate dredging requirements across the country. The goal is to treat dredging as a national program rather than a series of largely independent projects, allowing the Corps to coordinate contracts, schedules and equipment needs across multiple waterways. “For decades, we have approached dredging as a collection of individual projects—one district develops a contract, one gets awarded, and one dredge gets mobilized,” said Maj. Gen. Jason E. Kelly, while serving as the Corps’ deputy commanding general for civil and emergency operations. “While that model built today’s system, it is insufficient for the challenges we face tomorrow. The American taxpayer is not paying us to award contracts; they are paying us to maintain navigation channels.” Under the new approach, individual Corps districts will continue identifying dredging needs, handling engineering and environmental requirements, and coordinating with local ports and stakeholders. The centralized delivery center will provide contracting and planning support, with an emphasis on coordinating projects that compete for the same equipment and contractors. The changes could have significant implications for the U.S. dredging industry, where vessel availability, mobilization costs and project timing play major roles in determining how much work can be completed. By providing contractors with greater visibility into upcoming projects, the Corps hopes to reduce scheduling conflicts and give companies more certainty when planning vessel deployments, staffing and equipment investments.  The agency has already begun testing new contracting approaches. In September, the Corps outlined plans to consolidate portions of its dredging workload into larger contracts and develop national procurement strategies. One initiative, called “Scope Dredge to Budget,” would allow contractors to compete on how much dredging they can accomplish within a predetermined budget, rather than simply bidding on a fixed quantity of material. The Corps (https://sam.gov/opp/1f17e85f82a34cf290ee88a638f0b3e4/view) held an industry meeting on October 16 to discuss applying the approach to navigation channels in Texas, including the Houston Ship Channel, Sabine-Neches Waterway and Corpus Christi Ship Channel. The broader restructuring is being introduced in phases, with the Corps previously identifying October 2027 as its target for establishing the permanent delivery center. The agency says it will continue consulting with dredging contractors and port stakeholders as the program develops, particularly to ensure that larger procurement packages do not undermine competition or disadvantage smaller and specialized operators. The initiative is part of the Army’s broader “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” effort, which seeks to reduce administrative requirements and direct more resources toward infrastructure improvements. For the Corps, the ultimate measure of success will be whether the changes translate into more dredging and more reliable access to the nation’s ports and waterways. “The measure of success is not how many contracts we award; it is how many cubic yards we move,” Kelly said. “It is whether America’s navigation system is ready when the nation needs it.” Tags: (https://gcaptain.com/tag/army-corps-of-engineers/) army corps of engineers  (https://gcaptain.com/tag/dredging/) dredging   (logo)  Subscribe for Daily Maritime Insights Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update — trusted by our 106,597 members  (user)   () (Enter your email)  ()  (Subscribe)        (https://gcaptain.com/iran-claims-more-tankers-hit-mines-in-hormuz-but-evidence-remains-elusive/)  Prev (https://gcaptain.com)  Back to Main (https://gcaptain.com/coast-guard-cutter-munro-wraps-up-arctic-patrol-after-tracking-chinese-research-ships/) Next      (gCaptain-logo)   Stay Informed. Stay Connected.  Get The Daily Insights That Power Maritime Professionals Worldwide Essential maritime and offshore news, insights, and updates delivered daily straight to your inbox — trusted by our 106,597 members  (user)   () (Enter your email)  ()  (Subscribe)     Have a news tip? (https://gcaptain.com/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5e2a372e2d1e393d3f2e2a3f3730703d3133) Let us know.    (gc logo) Stay Ahead with Our Weekly ‘Dispatch’ Email Dive into a sea of curated content with our weekly ‘Dispatch’ email. Your personal maritime briefing awaits!  (https://gcaptain.com/join-the-club/?mt_source=ArticleSidebar) Sign Up (https://gcaptain.com/?memberful_endpoint=auth) Sign In       Related Articles   (https://gcaptain.com/port-of-savannah-wins-approval-for-2-3-billion-container-terminal/) (Rendering shows the future three berth Savannah Container Terminal pictured at the top, and the two berth Ocean Terminal facility across the river, adding five big ship container berths to meet future demand.)    (https://gcaptain.com/category/news/) News  (https://gcaptain.com/port-of-savannah-wins-approval-for-2-3-billion-container-terminal/) Port of Savannah Wins Approval for $2.3 Billion Container Terminal  Georgia Ports has secured federal approval for a $2.3 billion container terminal that will add 3.5 million TEUs of capacity at the Port of Savannah. October 14, 2026 Total Views: 1259      (https://gcaptain.com/first-nation-challenges-vancouver-port-dredging-approval-over-tanker-expansion-concerns/) (Aerial of Second Narrows and Downtown Vancouver)    (https://gcaptain.com/category/news/) News  (https://gcaptain.com/first-nation-challenges-vancouver-port-dredging-approval-over-tanker-expansion-concerns/) First Nation Challenges Vancouver Port Dredging Approval Over Tanker Expansion Concerns  The Tsleil-Waututh Nation has launched a legal challenge seeking to overturn federal approvals for a dredging project in Burrard Inlet that would allow oil tankers calling at the Trans Mountain... July 10, 2026 Total Views: 1581      (https://gcaptain.com/us-house-foreign-affairs-committee-chair-warns-of-china-role-in-argentina-contract-bid/) (Ships moored Parana River Port Argentina)    (https://gcaptain.com/category/news/) News  (https://gcaptain.com/us-house-foreign-affairs-committee-chair-warns-of-china-role-in-argentina-contract-bid/) US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Warns of China Role in Argentina Contract Bid  U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Brian Mast has warned U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio of “Chinese malign influence” in a bid for a major contract in Argentina, according to a letter seen by Reuters. May 21, 2026 Total Views: 551        (logo)  Get The Industry’s Go-To News Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news — just like 106,597 professionals  (user)   () (Enter your email)  ()  (Subscribe)          (close)   ()    Secure Your Spot on the gCaptain Crew  Stay informed with the latest maritime and offshore news, delivered daily straight to your inbox — trusted by our 106,597 members  (user)   () (Enter your email)  ()  (Subscribe)            (gCaptain-logo)    The Go-To Source for your Daily Maritime and Offshore News Stay informed with the latest maritime and offshore news, delivered straight to your inbox — trusted by our 106,597 members.  (user)   () (Enter your email)  ()  (Subscribe)      (https://www.facebook.com/gCaptain-27223368885/) (facebook)    (https://www.instagram.com/gcaptain) (instagram)    (https://twitter.com/gCaptain) (twitter)       Information  (https://gcaptain.com/about/) About  (https://jobsite.gcaptain.com/) Careers  (https://gcaptain.com/advertising/) Advertise with gCaptain  (https://gcaptain.com/about/privacy-policy/) Privacy Policy    Contacts  For general inquiries and to contact us,please email: (https://gcaptain.com/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#deb7b0b8b19eb9bdbfaeaabfb7b0f0bdb1b3) [email protected]   To submit a story idea or contact our editors, please email: (https://gcaptain.com/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#06726f7675466165677672676f682865696b) [email protected]   For advertising opportunities contactEmail: (https://gcaptain.com/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e0ad898b85ad83a48f8e818c84a0878381909481898ece838f8d) [email protected]  Phone: +1.805.704.2536.     (be5acc66cb) (https://gcaptain.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php) x (polygon icon) (polygon icon)   (gc logo) Your Gateway to the Maritime World!  Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe. (https://gcaptain.com/join-the-club/?mt_source=ClubPopup) Sign Up     ()