‘Sand engine' to Reinforce Dutch Coastline

Part of the coastline in the province of Zuid-Holland (Netherlands) is to be reinforced by creating a 'sand engine'. This involves depositing 21.5 million cubic metres of sand in the shape of a hook extending from the coast near Ter Heijde. The sand will be spread along the provincial coastline by the natural motion of wind, waves and currents. Royal Boskalis Westminster and Van Oord have been awarded the contract by the Dutch Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management.

This principle of building with nature will reinforce the coastline in a new and natural way. The sand engine will therefore be able to contribute to coastal protection while at the same time creating more space for nature and recreation.

The total value of the contract is EUR50 million for the Van Oord- Boskalis consortium, in which each participant has a 50% stake.

The contract is an Engineering & Construct contract, meaning that the further development of the design and realisation is in the hands of the consortium. The project will commence early 2011 and is scheduled to take over a year. It will involve the deployment of several large trailing suction hopper dredgers.