Van Oord makes contribution towards energy transition

Van Oord, a Rotterdam based dredging and marine construction company, has ended the last year with an optimistic outlook for its markets.

“In 2021, we saw a recovery of the global economy, noticing the first effects in the summer. In our offshore and dredging activities, in particular, a market recovery was shown in the second half of 2021,” said Pieter van Oord, the company CEO.

“Following the reorganisations we carried out in 2020, we have returned to a trajectory of growth. We have mapped out our strategy for this decade: Building the Future Together.”

“Based on our purpose to create a better world for future generations, we focus on making a contribution towards the energy transition and climate adaptation.”

In 2021, the sense of urgency and the demand for sustainable solutions increased significantly.

According to Mr. van Oord, reduced dependency on fossil fuels and growth of renewable energy are major driving forces in the new energy system, bringing along opportunities for Van Oord to contribute and to strengthen its position.

Van Oord continues to add value to traditional projects by creating more and more sustainable, nature-friendly solutions.

In Poland, for example, work continued on the project to deepen and widen the 62-kilometre-long channel from Świnoujście to Szczecin.

The materials dredged from the channel are being used to build two circular islands in the Szczecin lagoon that will serve as natural habitats.

In Romania, construction work began on the Eforie project. This phase of the project involves constructing breakwaters, groynes and beaches to protect the popular Black Sea resort of Eforie from erosion by waves.

Existing coastal defences are being redeveloped and replaced with more environmentally friendly alternatives.

The company will also enrich the local ecosystem by introducing biostructures on the seabed, and by restoring several hectares of seagrass – an important biotope for marine ecology.

This year, Van Oord continued to work on the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link between Denmark and Germany.

When completed, Fehmarn Belt will be the world’s longest immersed road and rail tunnel.

The consortium in which Van Oord participates is responsible for dredging a tunnel trench in the seabed over a distance of 18 kilometres, and reusing the dredged material to create a recreational nature reserve.

They are also building a new work harbour for the tunnel contractors.

Van Oord’s work on the Fehmarn Belt project is expected to continue unabated in the coming years.

Commissioned by the Port of Rotterdam, the Dutch giant is constructing a large new quay – part of the Amalia Harbour expansion project.

The first 500 metres must be completed by the end of 2022, with the last section in 2024, said Van Oord.

The project also involves dredging the quays to a depth of more than 20 metres below sea level.

Van Oord recently signed a large contract in Egypt for the Ain Suhkna Port dredging program on the Red Sea.

This new deal requires the deployment of self-propelled cutter suction dredgers and a fleet of sand carriers.

The execution time is expected to be approximately two years.

Also, the Maldives Government has contracted Van Oord to carry out a land reclamation project in Addu City.

The agreement for the reclamation of 194 hectares of land in Addu city – with the financial assistance of India – was signed in Addu last month.

The project, funded via $800 million line of credit extended by the India’s EXIM Bank and approved by the Indian Government, is expected to be completed within 18 months.

Also, the works include coastal protection measures as well as land reclamation operations.

“Even in this period of turmoil, we are investing in our future by attracting talent around the globe. And we are investing in the right kind of sustainable equipment to support our growth ambition. Last but not least, we are a learning organisation – deriving lessons from challenges endured,” concluded Mr. van Oord.