The Silver Environmental Excellence Award for “Dredging for Coastal Reinforcement” went to the Project Team for Hondsbossche and Pettemer Sea Defence, the Netherlands.
Ecoshape Progamme manager Erik van Eekelen (see photo) received the award on behalf of the team that worked on The Hondsbossche and Pettemer Sea Defence. The Netherlands’ North Sea coast near Petten, no longer met current government’s safety standards, that is, to be resistant to a once in 10,000 year superstorm. As it was impossible to raise and broaden the present dike, the Regional Water Board decided to reinforce the coastline by creating broad dunes and beaches, based on the philosophy of Building with Nature.
The consortium of Van Oord and Boskalis were responsible for the new coastal defenses, as well as their maintenance for the next 20 years. Project Team Members were the consortium ZSNH Combinatie Van Oord – Boskalis.
The awards were presented at the closing ceremony of the conference by Dr. Ram Mohan, President, WODA, and Craig Vogt, Chair of the WODA Environmental Commission. The World Dredging Congress & Exhibition has become the most important and anticipated event for dredging professionals worldwide. WODCON is the only global event dedicated exclusively to dredging and maritime construction. It provides a unique platform for researchers and practitioners from industry, academia and government to meet and discuss dredging.
The World Dredging Congress and Exposition (WODCON) is organized once every three years by WODA, the World Organization of Dredging Associations. The conference was held Miami, from June 13-17, 2016.