Van Oord to Dredge Marker Wadden Channel

Acting on behalf of the Dutch Nature Preservation Society, Rijkswaterstaat has awarded Van Oord the contract for dredging an extra channel to the south of Marker Wadden.

Cutter suction dredger Biesbosch / Van Oord photo

According to Van Oord, the dredging of the channel will create more space for the underwater capture of silt.

The project will contribute to restoring the environmental and water quality of the Markermeer and also to the objectives for the FPES (Future-proof Ecological System).

Dredging an additional channel of approximately 900 meters will make a major contribution to construction of Marker Wadden, reported Van Oord.

The dredged clayey material will be used to fill in two compartments.

Some of the dredged sand will be used to reinforce the southern edge of the first island. That will create a natural shoreline that is beneficial for improving the ecology and robustness of the island.

Van Oord also announced that the company can offer the remaining sand to any market party or use it for its own purposes. To dredge the channel and fill in the first island of Marker Wadden, the company will use cutter suction dredger Biesbosch.