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Coastal defense and
riverbank protection

Boskalis is a leading global player in the field of coastal defense and riverbank protection. We design, construct and maintain hard sea barriers, such as dikes, dams and flood barriers, and also soft sea defenses, such as beach and near-shore replenishment. In addition, we provide innovative solutions for forms of coastal protection based on the principles of building with nature such as the sand motors and the use of mangroves.

Ensuring safety and natural balance

Safety and a natural balance are the most important aspects of good coastal protection. Our vast experience and expertise enable us to assist you with the economic and environmental assessment of your coastal protection project. We have a proven track record and the drive to maintain a well-balanced ecosystem.


Our innovative and building with nature solutions

  • Sand motors use natural forces like tides, wind, currents and waves to spread sand along the coast from a central replenishment location.
  • The creation of a wave-reducing system. Examples are the combined approach of land reclamation and new mangrove forests to protect the North Java coastal area in Indonesia and a green wave reducing dike in The Netherlands. A willow forest, planted along the front of the dike, is expected to be able to absorb up to 80% of the waves’ force.

Our projects

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Expansion coal terminal, Muuga

The Muuga Coal terminal, sited on a bay, east of the existing port of Muuga, is to handle some five million tons of Siberian coal a year for destinations worldwide. The coal is shipped to Muuga by rail. Future developments may include container berths and steel facilities. The main contractor for the development of the Muuga coal terminal was the Estonian project management group A.S. Merko Ehitus. The dredging subcontract was awarded in late May 2003 to Terramare Eesti O.Ü., the Estonian arm of the Finnish-based Boskalis group company Terramare Oy.

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Construction drilling island and ice barriers, Kazakhstan

Agip Kazakhstan North Caspian Operating Company B.V. (Agip KCO), a consortium of eight leading oil companies, is active in the northern section of the Caspian Sea. The gas and oil reserves in this area were mapped out in 1998 and 1999. To allow for their exploitation, Boskalis International has created an artificial island measuring 225 x 225 meters, and underwater berms, for Agip KCO. Four years later, the time was ripe for the construction of the drilling island and ice barriers. Once they were in place, Agip KCO could start to extract and distribute the oil reserves.

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Port construction, Daya Bay

In Daya Bay, P.R. China, a USD 4.3 billion petrochemicals complex was being built by CNOOC and Shell Petrochemicals Company (CSPC). Daya Bay is located in the southwest of China, Huizhou Municipality, Guangdong Province. The project called for the construction of two marine facilities, one nearby the petrochemicals complex, the other one further offshore. Early 2004, the Boskalis International B.V. and Nanjing Changjiang Waterway Engineering Bureau (NCWEB) partnership commenced dredging for the CSPC Nanhai Petrochemicals project. Key requirement of the project was to preserve the sensitive environment in Daya Bay. Hydronamic, Boskalis’ own engineering consultancy, designed the required monitoring plan and took responsibility for its implementation.

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Creation artificial lagoon, Barcelona

Increasing or compensating nature is one of the challenges in modern infrastructural projects. Within the scope of the extension of the Port of Barcelona compensation was required for nature to be preserved. A natural reserve, south of the Port of Barcelona and north of the International Airport of Barcelona, had to be increased and was realized within the city limits of Prat de LLobregat by the use of the cutter suction dredger Para and its auxiliary equipment.

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Port development, Coega

The Coega port project - on Algoa Bay at the mouth of Coega River - is designed to act as a catalyst for regional economic development. The new port and its adjacent Industrial Development Zone, 20 km east of Port Elizabeth, are described as South Africa's largest infrastructural development scheme for a decade. 

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Cleanup petroleum harbor, Amsterdam

The Amsterdam Petroleum harbor on the North Sea Canal has been used for the storage and transshipment of oil products since its construction in 1887. Over many years routine operations and unchecked discharges resulted in severe contamination of the harbor.

Our brands

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Boskalis Dragamex

Our company providing dredging and marine services in Mexico.

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Boskalis Hirdes

Our hydraulic engineering company in Germany.

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Boskalis Nederland

Infrastructure projects on land and water in The Netherlands.

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Boskalis Terramare

Expertise for demanding marine construction projects in the Nordic region.

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Boskalis Westminster

Our dredging and marine contractor in the UK.

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Dredging

For dredging and infrastructure related queries contact our Dredging department.

More about Boskalis

Building with Nature

Boskalis proactively developed Building with Nature to gain insight into the impact of hydraulic engineering projects on ecosystems.

Company profile

All about Boskalis - an overview of the company’s background, global presence, our activities, clients, and experts, and our vision for the future.

Careers

If you are interested in finding out more about what it is like to work for us, take a look at our dedicated Careers website. Here you will find our current vacancies, information about our traineeships, and much more.