Plans to dredge Bermuda’s shipping channels remain on hold while the final environmental impact study is being carried out.

A series of surveys have been undertaken over the last 12 months with a view to accommodating a new era of larger cruise liners.

But it remains unclear when exactly the work will begin, and which of three dredging models will be followed.

Earlier this year Transport and Tourism Development Minister Shawn Crockwell confirmed that dredging work could begin before the end of the year.

But there are still many aspects to the project that need to be completed — including a wave action study and environmental survey — before work can begin.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Public Works told The Royal Gazette: “We are still awaiting the final environmental impact study which includes a plume study which is being conducted concurrently.

“Once the necessary studies are completed, a Request For Proposals would be initiated to get pricing for actual dredging and reharvesting of corals.

“At that time we will be in a position to further advise the public of the progress.”

The Royal Gazette asked Government if the proposed work could run into next year and whether it would disrupt next year’s cruise schedule.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Transport and Tourism Development said: “We do not anticipate that the dredging work will negatively impact next year’s cruise ship schedule.”

At the beginning of 2014 Public Works announced it had awarded Bermuda Environmental Consultants the contract to carry out the Environmental Impact Assessment to look into widening one of the shipping Channels.

The Ministry said it would look into the viability of three options: realign the North Channel; upgrade the existing route of the South Channel or realign the South Channel.