The Commonwealth Ports Authority in the Northern Marianas says it needs to widen the existing seaport channel in order to improve shipping to Rota, which will cost 15 million US dollars.
The Ports Authority seaport manager, Maryann Lizama, says that the current seaport channel can't accommodate vessels longer than 235 feet and a study has confirmed that it needs enlarging.
The Saipan Tribune paper reports that currently smaller vessels cant come into port during bad weather.
