Van Oord, the renowned Dutch maritime contractor, has officially launched a sand nourishment project at the Maasvlakte 2 coastal area of the Port of Rotterdam. This initiative, started on September 27, 2024, aims to fortify the coastline and ensure sustainable protection against the relentless force of the North Sea. Commissioned by Rijkswaterstaat, the executive branch of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, this project is a crucial component of a broader national effort to bolster and sustain the Netherlands’ coastlines.
The core of this coastal reinforcement relies on an impressive feat of marine engineering. Utilizing its state-of-the-art LNG-powered trailing suction hopper dredger, the Vox Apolonia, Van Oord is tasked with moving a staggering 1 million cubic meters of sand from the North Sea to the Maasvlakte 2 area. This sand is destined for two primary locations: the seabed just offshore and the expansive beach itself. The process is meticulously designed to allow nature to play a key role, using wind and water currents to help distribute the sand naturally over time, strengthening the coastline and dunes in the process.
The project kicks off with the Vox Apolonia dredging sand from the seabed more than 10 kilometers offshore. A portion of this sand will be strategically deposited on the seabed just offshore in what’s known as “foreshore nourishment.” Meanwhile, the dredger’s high-pressure pipeline will pump sand onto the Maasvlakte 2 beach, where an array of bulldozers and excavators will spread it out meticulously. Over the coming months, natural forces such as wind and tidal currents will take over, gradually moving sand into the dunes, reinforcing the coastline in a natural and sustainable manner.
What sets this project apart is Van Oord’s commitment to sustainability. The Vox Apolonia, operating on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), significantly reduces environmental impact compared to traditional marine fuels. LNG substantially cuts down on sulphur and particulate emissions, while also reducing nitrogen dioxide output, making it a far more eco-friendly choice for such a large-scale operation. This shift towards cleaner energy aligns perfectly with Van Oord’s long-term vision of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Climate Agreement’s ambitious targets.
Maasvlakte 2 isn’t uncharted territory for Van Oord. The company was a pivotal player in the consortium that developed this extensive port expansion from 2008 to 2013. This long-standing relationship has seen Van Oord play an integral role in various projects across the port, including constructing the Prinses Amaliahaven container terminal and expanding the Yangtze Canal. These previous endeavors underscore the company’s deep-rooted expertise and familiarity with the Maasvlakte 2 region, making them an ideal choice for this crucial coastal reinforcement project.
The sand nourishment initiative is more than just a coastal defense mechanism; it’s a testament to the evolving approach of using nature-based solutions to safeguard vital infrastructure. By working with the forces of nature rather than against them, Van Oord and Rijkswaterstaat are demonstrating a forward-thinking model for coastal protection that embraces sustainability, efficiency, and long-term resilience.
As the project progresses, it’s expected that this approach will serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives worldwide, showcasing how engineering, sustainability, and nature can coexist to address the challenges of coastal erosion and climate change.
